Arriving at Carmichael House, a photo from South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Please click here to see a larger version of this photograph on "beta" TE.

Again another picture, this one from yesterday, taken during one of my weekly country walks with equally old friends, this time approaching the ruins of Carmichael House after a light snowfall. Although it was dry and sunny, the temperature was still around -5蚓.

This rather majestic ruined house lies just a short distance from the small village of Carmichael in South Lanarkshire. The Carmichael clan dates back at least as far as the 12th Century and still survives to this day, the current Chief of Carmichael being Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, 30th Chief of the Name and Arms and 26th Baron of the lands of Carmichael in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

There is only one source of the name Carmichael and that is territorial or geographic in origin from the northern edge of the Southern Uplands in Scotland. An ancient hill fort or caer in a prominent location close to the main route north from the border was chosen by the good Queen Margaret in the year 1058 as the site of one of her first six churches established in the see of Glasgow. Due to the prominence of the site, she dedicated the church to St. Michel and the district and its peoples became of Caermichel when surnames were necessitated in the thirteenth century.

During the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Carmichaels travelled widely � some to Galloway � where they became kinsmen of the Stewarts of Galloway and later moved northwards settling in Lismore and Appin as kinsmen of the Stewarts of Appin and the McDougals. Others went to Holland where Robert Carmichael the armourer still has descendants known today as Carmiggelts.

Further movements to Ireland in 1690 and to the Americas from 1650 onwards resulted in the world-wide spread of the name. Events such as the emancipation of slavery when released slaves in Carolina took the name of their Scottish plantation owner employer gave a mixed race element whilst the highland clearances moved many Scottish Carmichaels abroad. After Culloden many 鮎acghilliemichels� (gaelic for sons of the servant of St Michael) changed their name to Carmichael.

At present, the Carmichael estate still thrives with much cattle and sheep rearing, farming and a delightful visitor centre and farm produce shop open to the public.

Here, however, are the ruins of Carmichael House, or at least the east wing (you can see just a part of the west wing behind it to the left), a castle on this site having been ruined around 1660 and subsequently rebuilt as this mansion house from 1734 to 1750. The house fell into disrepair by 1950 although recent works have taken place to stabilise its ruined walls.

ISO 100, 1/160 sec at f/7.1, focal length 18mm.

ikeharel, Lidka, macjake, Royaldevon, holmertz, snunney, jhm, jean113, lucasgalodoido, alvaraalto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (157280) 2018-02-08 23:34

Hello dear John, Nice to see that you go with your camera friends even in winter days. such weather is perfect for some walks, with the light frost and snow. At the moment we have similar weather in Warsaw but I stay home before my comp. Nice view of these two guys admiring the old abandoned but beautiful house.

Best regards MAlgo

Tue (91574) 2018-02-09 0:26

Hello John,
What a lovely winter𠏋 day, cold, snowy, but still with a nice and pale sunlight, illuminating the background. The ruined house looks beautiful, the walls still look good, making it all the more interesting to see that the house has lost its roof. Excellent sharpness and clarity, it𠏋 a really wonderful place.
Lars

macjake (98262) 2018-02-09 1:38

Hi John
wow! haha...you and I have posted similar photos! Please take a look at my newest too :)

I wish I could have joined you on this walk, any length of walk is worth it if this is the end point. what a treat!
and it looks even better I think in the snow like this.

Look at its bones, its shell, its beautiful. You can tell it was once a majestic and elegant home. If only we had a time machine right? Very impressed, and i'm very jealous too haha. one of my favourite photos from your gallery John.
wonderful! cheers
Craig

lousat (138609) 2018-02-09 1:38

HI John,snow everywhere in Europe,just not in my village,i'm waiting the white flakes since 4 years!! And the snow is the best ingredients for a composition like that,with this great example of the architechture of the past with a long history as i can read,perfect capture as usual. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (85606) 2018-02-09 2:46

Hello John,

What interesting notes you have written to accompany your photograph. I love this sort of information. I suspect that if the house had been smaller, someone would have renovated it as a home but it would take a lot of money to renovate this huge building, a commodity that seems in short supply for such projects!

The inclusion of your walking partners was a good idea, giving us a f/g focal point and guide towards the second focal point, the building. There are excellent clues to the weather, the snow covering adding beauty as well as clues about the temperature, whilst the sunlight makes the whole experience more pleasant.
It's a very well composed photograph and carefully balanced with the spindly trees framing the whole.

Have a great day,
Bev :-)

holmertz (101988) 2018-02-09 3:17

Hello John,
What a disappointment, having gone for a long walk on a rather cold day, finally reaching your goal, and nobody to welcome you with hot tea and fresh scones. But the building has decayed in style, still looking good enough for us to imagine what it may have been like when people were still living here. You have taken a pleasantly balanced photo with a nice February light which probably wouldn't last much longer.
Kind regards,
Gert

snunney (130967) 2018-02-09 4:13

Hello John,
The house retains its charm even though it is evidently in ruins. The light is very attractive and brings out the colours and detail in the brick walls to great effect. Your two fellow walkers are well placed to enliven the scene and supply scale. Very interesting note about the Carmichael Clan.

jhm (211734) 2018-02-09 4:50

Hello John,

I think that for this type of buildings is a future but only the money for restauration is difficult to find.
It seems that the brickwork very well can repair, of course after a fire is not te best quality.
Your picture is very nice, certainly the two friend are a nice addtion for the scale..
With depth and perspective.
An excellent composition and nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Nicou (193806) 2018-02-09 5:32

Hello

Avec la fine neige ces deux personnage quelle compo et vue quelle iamge sueperbe cpatage et image quelles ruiens et 嶮ifice au milieu de ce sous bois sueperbe.
Bravo et amiti�
Nicou

ric50 (769) 2018-02-09 6:54

Hi John,
A lovely picture with interesting notes. It remains a very substantial and strong looking structure and the light catching that front brickwork gives a further indication of how it would have looked in the past. A well balanced composition which is helped by the inclusion of your companions.

Regards,

Richard

jean113 (27637) 2018-02-09 14:10

Hello John, a perfect project for someone with a bit of cash, and next featuring on Grand Designs?
A great point of view, that shows lots of detail.
The snow enhances the scene bringing in extra light.Your two friends stand looking, and we can imagine their conversation.
Excellent shot.
Very informative notes.
Regards Jean.

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2018-02-09 14:41

Ol� John,
interessante composi誽o aqui com os caminhantes � observar as ru璯as. Gostei da nitidez e do brilho acertado na captura.
Parab幯s e Abra蔞,
Lucas

carlo62 (81265) 2018-02-09 16:06

Ciao John
molto interessante, mi piacerebbe visitare questo luogo, l'architettura � molto bella anche senza il tetto.
Buon we
Carlo

jemaflor (146280) 2018-02-09 22:58

Hi John,
Interesting ruins well presented, original with snow, perfect management for contrast of lights, well composed with these people, tfs.

alvaraalto (42804) 2018-02-10 1:38

Hello John
If these guys are looking for a suitable place to protect them against the cold and the snow I think that this is not the right place. Nevertheless an interesting ruin with the walls in rather good shape. Must be worth to renovate.
Well done
Have a good weekend, groet Rob

willperrett (14195) 2018-02-10 8:49

Hello John

Smart shot of this venerable roofless shell of a house. It looks as if it might have seen a fire, which may account for the roof having gone. Although it's in deep shadow, your exposure is perfect, showing all the details of the stonework. And including your two mates adds a welcome human element.

Regards

Will

mesutilgim (0) 2018-02-10 12:18

Hello dear John,
Very nice capture with those two visitors on a winter day.
Perfect compo and layout, nice framing.
Many interesting and usefull notes makes your entry a perfect TE job.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

mkamionka (73374) 2018-02-15 0:11

Hi John,
it seems you make plenty of lovely walks. The weather is a bit cold but sunny so if you dress warmly you can enjoy outdoor. The snow decorates the area nicely. The ruined house seems quite stylish. And your colleagues add a nice touch.
I admire how well you have managed under these difficult light conditions, there is so much shade and bright sky and yet everything is very well balanced.

Beautiful work!!

M

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (30513)
Genre: 地方
Medium: 彩色
Date Taken: 2018-02-07
Categories: 建築
Camera: Canon EOS M, Canon EF-M 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 IS STM, Hoya 52mm Pro1D Protector
Exposure：30 seconds
Map: view
Photo Version：Original Version
Date Submitted: 2018-02-08 23:28