Feeling Lucky?

Scottish golden girls Sarah Montgomery, Bo Kawczynska and Diana Strausa were dressed to impress in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens yesterday when they sported specially commissioned gold kilts to promote the EuroMillions Mega Jackpot draw, when one lucky Scot could scoop an estimated £82 million*.

The kilts were created by Edinburgh kilt designer, Howie Nicholsby of 21st Century Kilts.

All the photographs on the Facebook page here.

Transition Town

Portraits of three members of the North Howe Transition Toun in Fife which is trying to reduce the amount of oil used in their daily lives. Photographs for Scotland on Sunday Spectrum Magazine.

Five Seasons in One Day

I was up in Orkney last week photographing key sites for next year's Historic Scotland leaflets, brochures and guidebooks. It was a challenging shoot due to the micro climate which Orkney has. We could literally see the rain coming over the hill and within 2 minutes it would be on us and we would have to run for cover.

Scara Brae, the Neolithic Settlement was closed for part of the day we were there due to Force 9 winds. Fortunately there is a replica village built into the excellent visitor centre so we were able to get the shots we needed.

Great fun. Next year I think we should aim for May.

SMWS at Whisky Live

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society have launched a brand new website called The Spirit Cellars which enables customers to find their perfect whisky. The website was launched at Whisky Live, the annual Whisky Festival which takes place in Glasgow every year. Guests were also give the chance to win an iPad.

Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival Launch

Idlewild frontman Rod Jones, ex-Delgados singer Emma Pollock and Sparrow and the Machine singer Jill O'Sullivan gather at the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen Town Hall to launch the 2010 Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.

Also on offer this year is a new album Music Like a Vitamin and two concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow. More info here.

MGEITF 2010 Sunday Highlights

I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that Katie Price canceled her appearance at the Festival - would have been good fun and a bit of a bun fight with the other photographers but Doctor Who's Karen Gillan more than made up for it. Doctor Who writer Stephen Moffat was also good value along with Michael Grade.

MGEITF 2010 Saturday Highlights

Highlights from Saturday at the Festival included The Bill and Eastenders star Scott Malsden, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Shameless creator Paul Abbot with Mariella Frostrop and Coronation Street creator Tony Warren.

MGEITF 2010 Friday Highlights

The UK's TV industry descended on Scotland's capital city last weekend for the annual MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.

For the second year I was commissioned to provide photography services for the three day festival which involved supplying press images, covering delegate sessions, lectures and parties.

Friday's highlights included the McTaggart lecture by BBC Director General Mark Thompson, TV's Got To Dance competition, hosted by Vernon Kay, an appearance by Louis Spence and Radio 2's Jeremy Vine.

Striking the right (Harpsi)Chord

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop marked the announcement of more than £200,000 of funding for Recognised Collections of National Significance with a visit to University of Edinburgh's Collection of Historic Musical Instruments.

Fort George Colossal Event

In Historic Scotland’s largest event of 2010, hundreds of performers travelled from all over Britain to the impressive military fortification of Fort George.

Commencing with a grand parade into the central arena, the day unfolded with a series of exciting, informative, impressive and interactive shows, displays and presentations covering everything from the marching soldiers of the Roman period to the fighting troops of the twentieth century.

More images here on the BBC site.

Radio Forth on the Fringe

Radio Forth on the Fringe played to a sell out Playhouse Theatre on Saturday night - bringing together the very best the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has to offer.

This is the third year I have photographed the show for Radio Forth and the new venue added to the fantastic atmosphere.

Scottish singer KT Tunstall topped the bill which featured comedians such as Craig Hill, Phil Kay, Stephen K Amos and Reginal D Hunter. Britain's Got Talent dancers Flawless joined Drags Aloud and The Boy With Tape on his Face in the 3 and a half hour show hosted by Forth One DJ's Boogie and Arlene.

See the HIGHLIGHTS on my FACEBOOK PAGE or all the photos on the Forth One site here.

Strictly Mark Foster

Olympic gold medalist and Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Foster dipped in to Glasgow recently to launch the British Gas Great Scottish Swim. Scotland's biggest swim takes place at Strathclyde Country Park on the 21st August. Still time to enter. More info here.

Racewall - Cowdenbeath

I was recently commissioned by Scotland on Sunday's Spectrum Magazine to photograph an afternoon and evening at the Racewall in Cowdenbeath - home of Scotland's Stock Car Racing. The photographs appeared in last Sunday's magazine.

Click here to read Peter Ross's Spectrum Feature

Wickerman Festival

Last weekend I was commissioned by 3x1 to provide press and event images from the Wickerman Festival which takes place near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway. The festival is now in it's ninth year and this year attracted bands such as The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene and Tony Christie. Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos also made a surprise appearance.

I spent Saturday afternoon and evening capturing the atmosphere around the festival and wiring out photographs to the national and regional press. The highlight of the weekend was the burning of the Wickerman which took place at midnight on Saturday.

It was touch and go for a while as the mist rolled in from the sea and threatened to obscure the effigy. In the end the mist added to the feel of the magical event and fireworks provided a backlight to the sculpture, picking out its shape though the mist resulting in a great image.

Achieved good coverage in, amongst others, the Sunday Herald, The Scotsman, Metro and on the BBC website.

More pics on Facebook.