Robert's Ramblings

Welcome November.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Oíche Shamhna', 1/1600s f/3.5 ISO100 125mm

What more is there to say!

These two adorable pups playing outside our delightful Kinsale accommodation had mischief written all over their cute faces.

Of course I was going to photograph them.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Mischief Makers', 1/400s f/3.5 ISO1000 200mm

For recent visitors to Ireland, Dún Chathail (Charles Fort) marks either the beginning or the end of the 'Wild Atlantic Way' depending on which end you begin.

For such an impressive stronghold it's hard to imagine it ever being captured. Taken it was though in 1690 during the Williamite–Jacobite War, a turning point in Irish History.

The fortress positioned to protect Kinsale from a seaward assault was designed with enough resilience to weather sustained canon fire. Sometime into its construction the unlikely possibility of a land based assault was considered and additional fortifications were designed accordingly. Unfortunately due to political turns the money needed by the Jacobites (supporters of the deposed King James II) to construct the new fortifications was never forthcoming and this combined with a cockiness on its impregnability meant the additional construction never eventuated.

In 1690 John Churchill (once a Jacobite but having shifted his allegiance to the William III) commanded a completely unexpected land based assault besieging the fortress for thirteen days before its outer walls were breached and the stronghold captured. The battle was one small victory for the Williamites during the wider European conflict known as the 'Nine Years' War' however it firmly propelled John Churchill towards becoming one of the most powerful and wealthiest generals in British history.

Visiting Charles Fort in Kinsale was initially just going to be another attraction along the 'Wild Atlantic Way', I left however with just a little bit more insight into Ireland's and Britain's tumultuous past.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Dún Chathail', 1/4000s f/5 ISO100 17mm

This image taken from the lookout over Conor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula typifies the extraordinary beauty of Ireland.

I've been coming to Ireland now for the past fifteen years thanks in part to my beautiful Irish girl Jennifer, the engaging warmth of the Irish people and to the breathtaking beauty of the land.

So it was with a little trepidation that we sought to show off this amazing country to our dearest Australian friends; wanting them to fall in love with the land, the language and the people as I had.

For nearly three weeks we traveled the Wild Atlantic Way together, following Ireland's western coastline from Kinsale in the south up into the northern wilds of Donegal.

For nearly three weeks together we experienced sunny days, amazing skies and gorgeous landscapes.

We were welcomed into people's homes with true Irish hospitality. We enjoyed wonderful nights out with fantastic food, live music and the 'craic' as only the locals know how to enjoy.

I think we succeed in our mission. Welcome to Ireland.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Welcome to Ireland', 1/800s f/8 ISO100 14mm

It's not the best image being limited to my seat and hand holding my camera but the final parade of the Edinburgh Tattoo on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle seems like a fitting image to farewell this amazing city.

One last hurrah before leaving Edinburgh and Scotland.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'One Last Hurrah', 1/30s f/4 ISO1600 24mm

Just a short walk from the castle in Edinburgh is a little cafe on a busy road which tourists from all over the world want to visit.

It's not the coffee, it's not the ambiance nor is it the the service which has launched this little cafe from obscurity to fame but its notoriety as the birthplace of the Harry Potter stories.

From the front of 'The Elephant House', this cafe does not seem like much with a few windows looking back out onto a bustling Edinburgh main road. What is not so obvious at first is that the entry off of George IV Bridge is actually the third floor.

Go inside however and look out from the rear windows and it's a different story. From its third story vantage the cafe has the most wonderful views across Candlemaker Row into Greyfriars Kirkyard and the old town of Edinburgh beyond. With such wonderful views like these it is not surprising how J.K. Rowling became inspired to write those first stories of Harry Potter and the rest is now history.

So yes we found our elephant outside the room.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'The Elephant Outside The Room', 1/200s f/4.5 ISO100 145mm

There was a great sense of expectation as we entered the hallowed vault in Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience.

There, bathed in the glowing gold of its own making were 3384 unique bottles of Scotland's most renowned export, scotch whisky.

This collection was once the 35 year passion of Brazilian collector, Claive Vidiz. Purchased by global liquor giant Diageo for an undisclosed sum, this collection is now permanently on loan for public viewing here in Edinburgh.

The scotch whisky success story is quite a tale and well worth spending some time to learn if you are curious. I tip my imaginary hat to an industry where the story goes that the Irish brought whiskey making to the Scottish and they never got the joke!

Yes, I slipped that 'e' into whiskey on purpose. It's my little tribute to the unsung origins of whiskey in Scotland.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Scottish Gold', 1/40s f/5.6 ISO640 105mm

Throughout the streets of Edinburgh performers gain notoriety through their talent, their persistence and recognition. But not 'The Phantom'.

Nobody knows who he is or where he's from. Is his name Johnny and is that fiddle made of gold?
I suspect no on both counts as he's not wearing a check shirt and that violin actually sounded like a real wooden violin!

So in my musings he will remain the Phantom of the Orchestra until proved otherwise.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Phantom of the Orchestra', 1/640s f/3.2 ISO320 170mm

Scott Monument is an imposing and somewhat unusual structure part of the Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. The hecklers deride its appearance as an object pulled from the top of some European cathedral and plonked on the ground. Others simply marvel at its simple design but intricate detail. The monument itself was commissioned in 1838 to celebrate the life and achievements of Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's most celebrated authors and poets.

The architect who won the competition for the monument's design, George Meikle Kemp, was self taught and used a pseudonym for fear his lack of qualifications would discount his entry. His design however was filled with the characters from Scott's work in addition to the usual gothic effigies and was chosen as the popular choice.

It would have been nice to simply say 'beam me up Scotty' but instead we climbed to the very top, all 287 steps up a series of progressively narrowing stone staircases to around 60m. The last section was so narrow you had to step sideways just to fit. Our effort was rewarded with stunning views of the old town and Castle Rock to the South and a panoramic vista of the Edinburgh heading out in every other direction.

Next time we visit maybe Scotty just might ...


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Beam Me Up Scotty', 1/80s f/8.0 ISO100 17mm

"I've found a place I'd like you to see; It's a surprise but I think you will find it very interesting." So I put my trust in Andy and allowed him to lead us back towards the castle.

Suddenly amidst the busy architecture of the Edinburgh old town an alley led from the street up to what I first thought was a large walled garden. As stone made way to green grass and lush trees I realised Andy has led us into a large graveyard, Greyfriars Kirkyard. With a grin he said, "see I knew you'd like it!"

The graves here were very old dating back to the 1500s. I've read that Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the most haunted grave sites in all of Scotland with many documented cases of people becoming hysterical, inexplicably bruised and bloodied by some unseen assailant and many cases of people simply fainting.

I can't say I found this place peaceful but I did find it interesting both for its history and its visual intensity.

Although I captured many disturbing effigies on old graves this simple scene caught my eye. A little bit of new life atop the stone lid of an old tomb.


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Life on Death', 1/4000s f/2.8 ISO100 200mm

What makes a street photograph interesting?

A snapshot moment of ordinary life;

An unusual interaction between people or things;

People out of context;

Or perhaps just an image that draws you in with questions and wonder.

I really have no idea but but in this moment I just loved the look on that little girl's face as the military police officer strode by on some mission.

Edinburgh Fringe, 2017


Photo: Robert Rath, 'Man On A Mission', 1/400s f/4.5 ISO320 200mm