Hear, hear, the pipes are calling...

The skirl of the bagpipes can now be heard around Edinburgh Castle as Roddy the Piper will be playing daily throughout the summer season. The initiative by Historic Scotland will see visitors welcomed the castles imposing wooden entrance gates at 9.30 each morning, with performances also taking place before the firing of The One O'clock Gun. The picture shows Roddy wearing the Red Ramsay tartan in full highland dress.
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The Gathering 2009

Over 50,000 people attended The Gathering 2009 in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh last weekend. Visitors included Clan members from all over the world and enjoyed entertainment from the best of Scotland music scene which included Dougie MacLean, Capercaillie and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers who played the main stage Saturday and Sunday. One of the highlights of Homecoming Scotland 2009.
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Aisling's Children

Performed at Edinburgh Castle as part of The Gathering 2009, Aisling's Children tells Scotland's Story from The Declaration of Arbroath, through wars and battles, the Clearances and tales of Homecomings. I was lucky to one of only two photographers to be given access to the performances on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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The Hidden Jewel

The final dramatic performance of The Hidden Jewel took place last night in the grounds of Dunollie House near Oban. The open air theatre production tells the story of the Brooch of Lorn and the history of Clan MacDougall performed by the Walking Theatre Company. This week also saw the launch of the Dunollie Appeal which aims to raise £1.8m to allow the Clan seat of Dunollie House to be opened to the public for the first time in its history.
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McDougall Gathering

The Oban Gaelic Choir entertain hundreds of McDougalls from all over the world last night at the Argyll Gathering hall in Oban. The dinner was the highlight of a week of events to celebrate the Clan McDougall homecoming. Other events include The Hidden Jewel, an outdoor theatre performance which tells the story of the Lorn Brooch and takes place in the grounds of Dunollie Castle.
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Just A Moment

The latest edition of Lifetimes, the Scottish Widows magazine features an image of Chris Low who plays for the Scottish Widows Cricket Team. Lifetimes is produced by Edinburgh based White Light Media who are one of my favourite agencies to work with - a great partnership between designer and photographer.
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A Stitch in Time

Feature for Spectrum Magazine on three Edinburgh dressmakers Rowan Joy McIntosh, Gwenyth Paterson and Katherine Walker, all part of a new trend of people designing, sewing and customising their own fashions. Full article here.
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Come In, Come Out of The Rain

The heavens opened half an hour before Simple Minds took to the stage at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday night. However the deluge was soon forgotten as frontman Jim Kerr opened with appropriately named song, 'Waterfront'. The last of this year's Castle Concerts season.
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Duran Duran

Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon rocks the sell out crowd at Edinburgh Castle last night. The 80's popsters were joined on stage by Mark Ronson. Part of the Castle Concerts season.
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Hoecoming Day at The Open

First Minister Alex Salmond joined up with Scottish golfing legend Sam Torrance at Turnberry yesterday to play a few holes at the Homecoming Scotland Putting Green. Part of Homecoming Day at the Open. More images here.
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Burns in Stirling

Three exclusive evening tours of Stirling Castle have been arranged by Historic Scotland to celebrate Robert Burns' links with Stirling and the castle. Dates are Fridays 7th, 14th and 21st August at 6.30 pm. More info here. Picture which shows Chris Tait as Robert Burns achieved extensive coverage in the press.
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St Andrews Community Hopsital

Detail of St Andrews Community Hospital in St Andrews, Fife which will open its doors to patients next month.
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Crosby, Stills & Nash

Folk rock supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash wowed the audience at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday night. Part of the 2009 Castle Concerts season.
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In My Element

Food photography for Element Restaurant and Bar on Rose Street, Edinburgh. Element is known as Rose Street's first style bar and has built a reputation on it's food. Part of the Signature Pubs group.
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Jousting Around

Cousins Christopher and Ewan Spence get in some jousting practice for the Jousting Spectacular which is taking place at Linlithgow Palace on the 11th and 12th July from 12.30 until 4.30pm each day.
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Edinburgh's Best Kept Secret

Back to The Signet Library in Edinburgh last night to photograph the room set up for long term client Heritage Portfolio who have just signed a new contract with The Signet to provide hospitality, catering and event management. One of the most beautiful buildings in Edinburgh and a favourite to photograph.
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First Minister Launches Latest Homecoming Guide at Boat Festival

First Minister Alex Salmond launched the latest edition of the Homecoming Scotland guide at the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy this weekend. The guide is packed with almost 200 events over the next 6 months of the Homecoming year. More photographs here. And on the BBC Website here.
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Miss Scotland knows the Drill

Miss Scotland Katherine Brown swapped a tennis racket for a drill when she dropped into Stirling the other day to open the new premises of Fasco which supplies tools and clothing to trades people.
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The Lion and The Unicorn

Two of the great symbols of Scottish Royalty come to life on Edinburgh Castle esplanade to welcome visitors. The characters are being introduced for a trail period from Monday 6th July as part of ongoing development to enhance Scotland's premier paid for visitor attraction.
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Homecoming Scotland Website

A selection of photographs and a review from the recent Royal Highland Show on the Homecoming Scotland 2009 website. Also a great site to find out about all things Homecoming.
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Stag on the Crags

Salisbury Crag in Edinburgh illuminated by the pioneers of world malt whisky: William Grant, Glenfiddich founder, Masataka Takesuru, forefather of Japanese Whisky and Bill Lark, godfather of Australian whisky. The history and expansion of malt Scotch whisky is to be discussed and debated at the University of Edinburgh on Friday 24th July. More info here.
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Welcome To My World

Monarch of the Glen actor Hamish Clark featured in the latest edition of Spectrum Magazine. This portrait of Hamish was taken at Stirling Castle during filming of Historic Scotland's 6 Months Free TV ad.
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Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering

A young lad fords the River Tweed during the climax to the Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering this weekend. The event was established in 1930 to commemorate the town's history and today attracts participants from all over Scotland and indeed the world. More pictures here.
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ROYAL VISITOR AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

The Queen visited the Royal Highland Show this morning, the first time for over 20 years. She was given a special treat when she visited the food hall - a year's supply of ice cream! The show celebrates its 225th anniversary this year and has attracted visitors from all over the world as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009. More pictures here.
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Having An Ice Time

Six year old twins Hannah and Rachel Webster from Edinburgh have got it licked. They were among the first to sample the new ice cream from Graham's The Family Dairy at The Royal Highland Show this morning.
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Line 'Em Up

The Board members of Taylor Wimpey (West) photographed in their offices in Paisley yesterday. Lucky that the office next door was empty for this strong corporate image.
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ALDI

Supermarket chain ALDI opened their first Edinburgh store in Gorgie recently bringing the total number of stores in Scotland to 44.
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VisitScotland Kitchen Garden Trail

Not all strawberries are at Wimbledon this year! These two have picked their own holiday on VisitScotland's new Kitchen Garden Trail which highlights accommodation and restaurants across Scotland serving visitors fresh produce from their own gardens.
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Fat Sam's Lives On

John Swinney MSP attended the official opening of Exchange Place, one of the most significant office developments in Edinburgh last night. The building stands on the site of the old Edinburgh Meat Market which then became Fat Sam's. Great views of Edinburgh Castle.
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Dancing in the Streets

They were dancing in the streets of Peebles last night as the Beltane Festival got under way. The Cornet, Lass and supporters ended off an evening which included the Installation of the Cornet, the Riding of the Marches and the fording of the River Tweed. Quite a spectacle and a great community spirit. More photographs here.
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Condemmed

Frank McAveety MSP hosts an event for Scottish charity Quarriers at the Scottish Parliament last night. Quarriers have launched the Condemned Campaign which aims to highlight the challenges facing young homeless people in Scotland.
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Taylor Wimpey See The Light

I love lighting people. So when Taylor Wimpey (East Scotland) commissioned me to take corporate portraits of their staff I had the opportunity to set up a mini studio at their Dunfermline offices. Pictured is Commercial Director Steve Fowler.
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Selkirk Common Riding

Royal Burgh Standard Bearer James Cheyne leads over 300 horses during the Common Ridings in the Border town of Selkirk this morning. More photographs on the Homecoming Scotland 2009 site.
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Searching for Something Juicy?

Product photography for Juice Almighty, Edinburgh's healthiest juice bar. Images to be used for website and marketing purposes.
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Keeping the Faith

Festivals Edinburgh director Faith Liddell photographed on Calton Hill which the iconic landscape of Edinbugh in the background.
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Exova

Grant Rumbles, Chief Executive of international testing company Exova photographed at his HQ near Edinburgh this morning.
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Studio Portrait

A lawyer from top Edinburgh law firm Balfour + Manson photographed in their offices this morning. The white seamless background always looks great. And I love black and white images.
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Learning & Teaching Scotland

A primary 7 pupil tries on a gas mask for a shoot for Connected, the magazine of Learning and Teaching Scotland. The feature will focus on how World Wars 1 and 2 fit in with the Curriculum for Excellence. Visit RobMcDougall.com

Two for Tea?

Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP dropped into the Marie Curie Tea Party at the Scottish Parliament yesterday to chat to Nursing Ambassador Michelle Carroll.
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Dougie MacLean raises a glass to Caledonia

Scotland's pre-eminent singer songwriter Douglie MacLean recently visited the Edradour Distillery in Perthsire to choose his own cask of whisky to be bottled and named 'Caledonia' after his most famous song. Edradour has teamed up with Dougie's festival Perthsire Amber to provide sponsorship for the series of concerts in October and November this year.
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Stirling Heads

Master wood carver John Donaldson unveils the last of 41 oak heads at Stirling Castle this morning - the culmination of five years work. The medallions will be painted and eventually decorate the ceiling of the King's Inner Hall. Visit RobMcDougall.com

Grab a Grand

Janette Hill from Edinburgh has a thousand reasons to smile after winning a grand's worth of shopping vouchers from Cameron Toll Shopping Centre today. Couldn't resist using the sun in the photograph. Visit RobMcDougall.com

Following in the Family Footsteps

A joint publication by Historic Scotland, The National Trust for Scotland and Historic Houses Association which encourages visitors to explore Scotland with 15 trails of historic sites linked to great Scottish surnames. Features original photography commissioned by Historic Scotland.
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The Rutland Taste of Edinburgh

The Taste of Edinburgh food festival comes to town this weekend. The Rutland Hotel commissioned me to photograph their restaurant for a huge stage which they are building to resemble the inside of the hotel.

Claire Yetton, Marketing Manager said, "It was a challenging request but the final image and design is just what we wanted. Thank you for your time and patience."
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Shirley Manson

Edinburgh born singer and actress Shirley Manson revisits her own Scottish family in the latest Famous Scots exhibition at the ScotlandsPeople Centre as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations.
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Party at the Palace 1503

Two medieval jousters battle it out at the grand finale of Party at the Palace 1503 which saw thousands of spectators enjoy Historic Scotland's biggest ever two day event at Linlithgow Palace. More photographs on the BBC website here.
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Here Come the Girls!

Getting ready to party! Over 120 medieval costumed performers will descend on Linlithgow Palace this weekend for Historic Scotland's biggest ever event: 'Party at the Palace 1503'.
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