The St. Andrews Castle. Head up The Scores from the course to the historic ruins of St. Andrews Castle where a castle has stood since the 12th century.

St. Andrews Cathedral. Just around the corner at the intersection of North and South streets is the St. Andrews Cathedral, also in ruins, with an equally enchanting history.

For a Break in St. Andrews…. As you return to town on South Street, swing back right on Church Street to #13 when you’re tired of touring and need a break.  My bakery expert Rex, highly, highly suggests a stop at Fisher & Donaldson Bakery.  We fell in love with Cupar branch, where you can relax in the spaciousseating for any meal.  But the smaller, St. Andrews stop will give you a chance to savor their delicacies!    If you still have room for dinner, follow Church onto College toward the bay and enjoy exquisite Indian dining at Maisha, # 5 College Street, St. Andrews.

End of the Rainbow: St. Andrews  To golfers, the very words evoke images of the royal and ancient heritage of our beloved sport. I’ve told people I believe there are fairies out there on the links of the Old Course, where folks have wondered in from the sea, bashing small objects with sticks since the 1400s. As we played our miraculous round and I walked the course another day, rainbows popped out in every direction. The lights change, shadows seem to come up from the ground, and the earth does indeed feel as hallowed as it looks in this shot of the clubhouse and town.

Evening: St. Andrews

Summer evenings in Scotland last forever. Our 18-hole round at the Old Course was scheduled for 4:15, and we strolled into 18 (where I shot a par) at about 9 p.m. We could have stayed out for another few hours basking in that heavenly glow of dusk. Here the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse stands alone, settling in for the night. Only members know what goes on under those interior lights. The rest of us can dream–and play their glorious course.

St. Andrews Clubhouse: The Royal and Ancient

A classic photograph of the St. Andrews Club House.  The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was founded in 1754. Now a group of companies known as The R&A, the club administers the Rules of Golf, runs the British Open Championship, and supports the development of golf around the world. Nothing compares to looking back as you head out to #1 green or to walking up #18 on the right side of the same huge fairway at the end of a round.

Tomorrow, look for images from around the club house: the Himalayas, Russacks, and gorgeous St. Andrews Bay.

To purchase St. Andrews photography by Sally Ross:

Email srossphoto@gmail.com, or
See www.sallyrossphoto.com

Morning Bells, St. Andrews

The Old Course, St. Andrews is closed to golfers on Sundays, which was perfect timing for our arrival. I took off and walked the entire course—out 9 and back in 9—fully engaged with my camera. This image captures the light and enchantment I felt alone out there in a mystical, historical world .  To savor more about St. Andrews, click on St. Andrews.

Signed, limited edition prints of Morning Bells are available from Sally Ross Photography: 9.4″ x 14″ ($65.00); 16″ x 24″ ($175.00); 20″ x 30″ ($290.00).

Glen Coe

The most stunning view I saw across miles and miles of stunning Scottish scenery! Glencoe is renowned for its history as well.  From Celtic heroes of old through clan battles and the Clearances, Glencoe represents the grandeur and the agonies that are Scotland.  Read more at GLEN COE.

Fine art limited edition signed prints available at Sally Ross Photography: 14″ x 9.4″ ($65.00); 24″ x 16″ ($175.00); 30″ x 20″ ($290.00).

Leaving Orkney

During a day trip around the isles of Orkney, I couldn’t stop creating images of the place.  This sunset view from the ferry to John ‘O Groats lingers with me still.  You’ll find many photographs from Orkney in my collection.  Its ancient history, glorious summer scenery where land almost always meets water, and generous people make it a wonderful outing if you can get to the northern most eastern tip of Scotland. Click ORKNEY to learn more.

NOTE: You’ll notice that I’ve chose this image to represent my work on this blog!  (*Sorry about missing two days while I was at great Rock Eagle, GA, arts exhibition!  Thanks to all who visited our booth and “adopted” one of my fine art prints!!)

This signed, limited edition (/50) fine art print is available from Sally Ross Photography: 16″ x 5″ ($75.00); 32″ x 10″ ($150.00); 48″ x 15″ ($350.00).  Its long and narrow vista fits beautifully into that special place in your home.

Technology, outside Ceres, Scotland

Bob and Kathy were great B&B hosts in Ceres, just a few miles outside of St. Andrews. For the most part, my morning walks were along paths untrodden by other tourists’ boots. One outing took me through the village where I came upon the wonders of the Fife Folk Museum with its yards full of antique machinery. The detail of these gears caught my eye, especially against the contrasting stone.  Learn more about the Fife Folk Museum by clicking on those words.

This signed limited edition print is available from Sally Ross Photography: 11″ x 16.4″ ($90.00); 16″ x 24″ ($175.00); 20″ x 30″ ($290.00).

High Kirk of St. Giles, Edinburgh

The High Kirk of St. Giles stands majestically in the midst of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile—with Holyrood Palace below and Edinburgh Castle above.  Full of rich history, Presbyterians know St. Giles as the setting of John Knox’s ministry from 1559-1572.  Learn more about St. Giles by clicking.

This fine art image is available from Sally Ross Photography: 8″ x 10″ ($50.00); 16″ x 20″ ($160.00); 20″ x 25″  ($230.00).

Croft House: Above Spinningdale, Scotland

As we explored along another single track road outside Dornoch and above Spinningdale, we dead-ended at a farm where a farmer, older woman, and helper were shearing. So we waved, backed around and down the hill, stopping to capture this charming croft house in the fields below.  One of my favorite shots, I believe this image captures the Highlands, the lonliness of life there, and the grandeur of the setting.  I wonder what history these places have known?  Perhaps we can discover it through poetry.

This print is available from Sally Ross Photography: 16″ x 10.7″ ($85.00); 24″ x 16″ ($175.00); 30″ x 20″ ($290.00).

Highland Soldier

In honor of our shared Veterans Day (also known as Remembrance Day, Armistice Day or Poppy Day), I publish this image of a Highland Soldier, one of our WWII colleagues, the Highlanders of Scotland.  While Rex was in the hospital in Inverness, we met a dear old gent of 92 who told us of his WWII experience with American troops.

Our old gentleman was a Highlander who was captured by the Nazis.  He escaped and was found by the American Army.  We gave him a uniform and put him to work.  As the war came to a close, the U.S. gave our Highlander a jeep and $1000 (American–more than he’d ever had) and told him to go find his troops!  He met his countrymen wearing that American uniform!  As he put it, “I went in a Highlander and came out a Yank!”

Good on ya’ laddy!  Proud to have met ya’!  Learn more about Highlanders in WWII (click)

This particular fine gent, a drum major, was happy to pose for photos at the 2008 Inverness Highland Games, one of the largest in the country.

This print is available from Sally Ross Photography: 8×13.5″ ($50.00); 12×20.5″ ($120.00); 20×34″ ($320.00).

Castle Approach

THANKS TO EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON, GA, FOR STOPPING BUY AND JOINING OUR BLOG TODAY AT THE WASHINGTON ARTS FESTIVAL!

The Scots have built over 2000 castles beginning in the 11^th century.  Many Scottish castles are grand and glorious, well-documented and open for tourists.  But remnants such as these have little except local lore to hold up their remaining walls.  I worked on this image to enhance the haunted, historical nature of the scene.  Click here for official information on Scottish castles and history.

This fine are photographic image is available from Sally Ross Photography: 14×11″ ($70.00); 21×16.5″ ($150.00); 28×22″ ($290.00).  This one looks particularly good on canvas as well.  Feel free to email me through the blog for special orders.