Melrose Abbey Ruins, a photo from Scottish Borders, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Please click here for a larger version of this photograph.

Now we are all "locked down" in our homes, the opportunities for outdoor photography are strictly limited and so we have no option other than to delve into our archives of old photographs. I saw that Bev (Royaldevon) had posted a delightful photograph of Melrose Abbey, one of my favourite places, and so here is an image I took some eight years ago, taken from one of the "aisle cloisters" on the south side of the nave of Melrose Abbey's Church, looking northeast to the ruined north transept and north side of the choir.

This present monastery was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks at the request of King David I of Scotland and was the first Cistercian monastery in Scotland. It was first staffed by an abbot and 12 monks from Rievaulx in Yorkshire, who set to work constructing the abbey buildings. The east end of the Abbey Church would have been built first, and a service of dedication for it took place on 28th June 1146. Other buildings in the complex were slowly constructed over a period of at least another fifty years.

In 1322 Melrose Abbey and the town that had grown up around it were attacked by the English army of Edward II. Much of the abbey was destroyed and many monks were killed. The subsequent rebuilding was helped greatly by the generosity of King Robert the Bruce and that generosity was later formally recognised when Robert's embalmed heart, encased in lead, was buried at Melrose Abbey where it still lies.

The ruins of Melrose Abbey are presently cared for under the auspices of Historic Scotland.

ISO 1000, 1.125 sec at f/14, focal length 28mm.

ikeharel, pajaran, holmertz, Royaldevon, Royaldevon, jean113, jhm, Ilonka1974, jimmyjimmy, everlasting, macjake trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Tue (92360) 2020-04-04 13:44

Hello John,
I also saw Beverley's photo of this abbey earlier today. What a wonderful place with beautiful ancient gothic architecture. This photo is super sharp and it reveals even the tiniest details of the columns and the vaults so well. Also the warm colours are very pleasant and nicely alternated with some patches of green also.
Lars

ifege (48085) 2020-04-04 18:57

Hi John
A great view point looking though the arch. Excellent detail, especially in the large version.
cheers
Ian

SteveH (8220) 2020-04-04 20:34

Hi John, nicely composed image of the Abbey, showing several arches within arches, and good detail visible even in the shadows. One can imagine how magnificent it would have been complete. cheers, steve

Nicou (193806) 2020-04-04 21:09

Hello

quelle recherche de cadrage fantastique cette abbaye avec ces ruines et ces colonnes ces arche ce rendu sur la pierre ce jeu de perspective superbe
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

dta (98848) 2020-04-04 23:21

Hello John,
Nice to see you again on TE . Excellent perspective un the old ruins. Perfect technical quality, especially the sharpness and the light management.
Bravo.

jemaflor (147128) 2020-04-04 23:26

Hi John,
Interesting architecture and ruins, very well presented, excellent photogenic result with the angle to take the view, good light and contrast management, tfs.

holmertz (102700) 2020-04-05 0:50

Hello John,
I am happy to see this follow-up to Bev's photo. It is very different from hers, but I fully enjoy both. I imagine how you took a few steps here and there to find the perfect place to fit the central part of the ruins between the two large columns. The photo is amazingly sharp and clear and you did an excellent PP job. Contrasts and colours are lovely and the 3D effect you achieved is impressive.
Kind regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (221593) 2020-04-05 1:46

Ciao caro John, lovely composition with beautiful natural frame on fascinating ruines, fine details, excellent clarity, good perspective, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (139266) 2020-04-05 2:12

Hi John.I just saw Bev's photo of the same abbey, perhaps it was she who inspired your research in the archive. The perspective is beautiful with excellent details on all levels and the place still retains its charm despite being in ruins, really beautiful. Thanks for your comment to my photo, in fact my bar has been closed since 24 days, no business but luckily the state gives us 1200 euros a month and pays the salary to my employee. Have a nice Sunday and stay safe! Luciano

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-04-05 2:23

Hello John,

Isn't it amazing what wonderful, unshared photographs are in our archives!
I'm not surprised that this is one of your favourite places to visit. With the changes in season, light and time of day, the possibilities for photography are immense!

This is such a well exposed photograph!
The details are so sharp and colours, so subtle yet perfectly matched.
You chose an excellent aspect, looking through the archway, to give further details of the abbey, in the b/g.
There is a second point of exit, on the left, through the half arch, where we can grab a small view of more arches, bathed in sunshine.
You have captured the details really well and created an excellent sense of depth.

Keep safe,
Bev :-)
Maybe there are more views of Melrose waiting to be shared!

jean113 (27853) 2020-04-05 6:13

Hello John, this an excellent shot from the ruins of the Abbey. You achieved a great point of view, so much that I can imagine standing here!
The sharp quality is wonderful.
I especially like the view of the arches through a small arch on the left.
The red stones add to the charm of the place.
Excellent notes.
Kind regards, Jean.

jhm (211736) 2020-04-05 6:40

Hello John,

You chose a perfect angle between pilars and arch.
Nice sharp and clear presented.
Very well presentation, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Ilonka1974 (10289) 2020-04-05 12:35

Hi John,
Beautiful shot on picturesque ruins of an old abbey.
Great presentation.
Very well done
Best regards
Janusz

everlasting (19680) 2020-04-05 21:25

well exposed, very well framed, excellent details and with an interesting note.

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2020-04-05 21:25

Hello John

The old adage of if these walls could only talk. The framing of the doorway to reveal other doorways is very profound in this view into the abbey. Awesome clarity and POV.

jimmy

emka (158156) 2020-04-05 23:31

Hello dear John,

Bev has shown already the delightful view of the exterior of this abbey, here the view of the Gothic interior. The nice pink colour of the stone. Must be a great pleasure to go around, I would love to see the view of the nave.
I returned earlier from the trip that was planned as the dream journey, at the beginning of the dramatic times, so I have a lot of fresh photos. And still many pictures from the autumn trip. No time for the archive. But when the pandemic will last longer who knows.
Stay safe.

MAlgo

mkamionka (74407) 2020-04-10 8:45

Hi John,
fantastic composition from Melrose Abbey.
I have just seen Bev's photo, which was similar to mine. Your is showing a very different point of view and most importantly you have been there on a different occasion when the light conditions were so much better.
I am also visiting only spots in a walking distance and it requires more creativity to take a photo worth of sharing... Brilliant work here of your usual highest quality.
Stay safe!
M

macjake (98456) 2020-04-16 12:42

Hi John
I wish I could return to Scotland...there are so many places I didn't get to see, this would 100% be one of them. It would be a great spot for a TE meeting :) Its good to hear that these ruins are cared for and attended too, they should last for a long long time. I would presume the composition choices here are difficult, this one came out well. you've got the fg, bg all covered, as well as basically the entire frame. pin sharp too. I hope you're keeping well, i'm working later tonight, we have 2 Covid 19 pts on our unit. Sigh. see you around. cheers
Craig