acrylic on canvas

I used to work quite often in the Moray area in northern Scotland, and whenever i had time i would spend it among the ruins of Elgin cathedral. an ancient site the best part of a thousand years old, full of history and mystery from the days when Scotland survived on the foundations of the Pictish golden age.
This cathedral was built as a statement of Irish power over the land of the native Moravians, a tribe of northern PIcts who lived here for millenia but were eventually ruled over by the invading Gaelic kings of Ireland who hold an unquenchable desire to claim this nation as their own.

perhaps my fiery colours are fitting as this place was once known as the lantern of the north, also fitting as it was set on fire several times from the 1200’s onwards.

Even in its ruined state you get a sense of how vast this cathedral once was, and how advanced the builders of a thousand years ago were. Exploring its nooks and crannies, one can find endless points of interest: from this character having a nap, to ancient weather beaten pictish stones.