John MacPherson
@johnmacpherson.bsky.social
Mostly a photographer: https://www.john-macpherson-photography.com
I sometimes write: https://www.duckrabbit.info/blog/author/j-macpherson/
Scottish Highlander, left-coast, interested in all sorts of things. I make stuff, some of it even works.
I sometimes write: https://www.duckrabbit.info/blog/author/j-macpherson/
Scottish Highlander, left-coast, interested in all sorts of things. I make stuff, some of it even works.
RIP Bert.
9/9
9/9
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
RIP Bert.
9/9
9/9
I asked Kirsty for permission to quote from her emails, which she kindly granted. Her response should remind all of us of the power of photography. Use that power you possess wisely fellow photographers. 8/9
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I asked Kirsty for permission to quote from her emails, which she kindly granted. Her response should remind all of us of the power of photography. Use that power you possess wisely fellow photographers. 8/9
What’s in a picture?
A memory. A childhood. A future shaped by the hands of a father.
Photographs tell stories, beautifully, evocatively, and sometimes secretively, and often they tie us to the destinies we shape for ourselves with our own hands. 7/9
A memory. A childhood. A future shaped by the hands of a father.
Photographs tell stories, beautifully, evocatively, and sometimes secretively, and often they tie us to the destinies we shape for ourselves with our own hands. 7/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:59 AM
What’s in a picture?
A memory. A childhood. A future shaped by the hands of a father.
Photographs tell stories, beautifully, evocatively, and sometimes secretively, and often they tie us to the destinies we shape for ourselves with our own hands. 7/9
A memory. A childhood. A future shaped by the hands of a father.
Photographs tell stories, beautifully, evocatively, and sometimes secretively, and often they tie us to the destinies we shape for ourselves with our own hands. 7/9
Kirsty’s response is pure poetry. As well as providing an eloquent glimpse into the tough but rewarding life of hill farmers on Scotland's west coast islands, she crafts an elegiac and profoundly moving tribute to her dad. 6/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Kirsty’s response is pure poetry. As well as providing an eloquent glimpse into the tough but rewarding life of hill farmers on Scotland's west coast islands, she crafts an elegiac and profoundly moving tribute to her dad. 6/9
I emailed back, surprised and delighted to confirm that yes it was her dad’s hand. I explained about the day we'd met and the photographs I'd taken and sent the additional images, but asked “how were you so confident it was your dad’s hand?” 5/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
I emailed back, surprised and delighted to confirm that yes it was her dad’s hand. I explained about the day we'd met and the photographs I'd taken and sent the additional images, but asked “how were you so confident it was your dad’s hand?” 5/9
To my surprise, later that morning I received an email, from Kirsty Leitch whose dad Bert was a well-respected and widely loved hill farmer on the Isle of Mull. I’d met Bert several times over the years, often working with his son Robert, whilst I was working around Mull. 4/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
To my surprise, later that morning I received an email, from Kirsty Leitch whose dad Bert was a well-respected and widely loved hill farmer on the Isle of Mull. I’d met Bert several times over the years, often working with his son Robert, whilst I was working around Mull. 4/9
And one of these images contained a glimpse of a hand coming in from frame right. Only a glimpse, not enough to know whose hand it is, but sufficient, I thought, to hint at the presence of another. It’s the kind of visual ‘device’ I like to use sometimes, a hint, but deliberate nonetheless. 3/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 AM
And one of these images contained a glimpse of a hand coming in from frame right. Only a glimpse, not enough to know whose hand it is, but sufficient, I thought, to hint at the presence of another. It’s the kind of visual ‘device’ I like to use sometimes, a hint, but deliberate nonetheless. 3/9
However one morning I saw that luck in action. A Highland Scottish resident posted in social media alerting folks to a sheep event being held soon for anyone interested in hill-farming, which I retweeted, and added a few sheep pictures from my files. 2/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
However one morning I saw that luck in action. A Highland Scottish resident posted in social media alerting folks to a sheep event being held soon for anyone interested in hill-farming, which I retweeted, and added a few sheep pictures from my files. 2/9
'The Hands Of My Father'
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
'The Hands Of My Father'
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
What's in a picture?
Some people say: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. But the story those "thousand words" might tell often depends on the reader. And in the digital age of billions of images, finding an image that truly speaks to us is a matter of luck. 1/9
Brexit: The Unicornucopia, the Horn Of Empty
November 23, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Brexit: The Unicornucopia, the Horn Of Empty
Rather a splendid morning on Cairngorm yesterday, limited uplift though (so only 100 tickets) & forecast to deteriorate in the early afternoon & it did, the wind got up, temp rose, it clagged out & we called it a day having enjoyed some rather lovely soft powdery snow. Scotland doing it!
November 22, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Rather a splendid morning on Cairngorm yesterday, limited uplift though (so only 100 tickets) & forecast to deteriorate in the early afternoon & it did, the wind got up, temp rose, it clagged out & we called it a day having enjoyed some rather lovely soft powdery snow. Scotland doing it!
"Al could not have written it without the impetus of the prompts I crafted to guide"
...crafted no less.
...crafted no less.
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 AM
"Al could not have written it without the impetus of the prompts I crafted to guide"
...crafted no less.
...crafted no less.
There were sparklies in the stillness this last few days, only until the breezes began their demolition.
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
There were sparklies in the stillness this last few days, only until the breezes began their demolition.
To render the livers for their oil he used a steam railway engine! It was brought by rail from the south of England, up to Mallaig, and across to Soay by boat. Its rusting hulks remains slowly succumbing to the salty west coast air. If you ever get the chance it's worth the effort to visit.
November 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
To render the livers for their oil he used a steam railway engine! It was brought by rail from the south of England, up to Mallaig, and across to Soay by boat. Its rusting hulks remains slowly succumbing to the salty west coast air. If you ever get the chance it's worth the effort to visit.
For anyone with an interest in Scottish history, here's Gavin (Ring of Bright Water) Maxwell's shark fishing station on Soay (off Skye), which I photographed some 20 years ago for a project. Fascinating place. (book is worth reading) www.amazon.co.uk/Harpoon-at-V...
November 17, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For anyone with an interest in Scottish history, here's Gavin (Ring of Bright Water) Maxwell's shark fishing station on Soay (off Skye), which I photographed some 20 years ago for a project. Fascinating place. (book is worth reading) www.amazon.co.uk/Harpoon-at-V...
It's an amazing place. I wandered slowly through the USA in my youth over a couple of years (1979/80) & was met with overwhelming kindness & complexity of origin - Cubans, Germans, Italians, Mexicans - so many 'facets of belonging' which makes it so rich & vibrant.
bsky.app/profile/john...
bsky.app/profile/john...
November 17, 2025 at 8:09 AM
It's an amazing place. I wandered slowly through the USA in my youth over a couple of years (1979/80) & was met with overwhelming kindness & complexity of origin - Cubans, Germans, Italians, Mexicans - so many 'facets of belonging' which makes it so rich & vibrant.
bsky.app/profile/john...
bsky.app/profile/john...
Lovely! Remember seeing those in the olde tymes and some of the work was truly inspiring and magical. Well...just like this in fact! The original digital manipulation!
November 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Lovely! Remember seeing those in the olde tymes and some of the work was truly inspiring and magical. Well...just like this in fact! The original digital manipulation!
...but with this view to add to the drama, over the Monadhliath Mountains and off towards the west.
November 16, 2025 at 9:51 AM
...but with this view to add to the drama, over the Monadhliath Mountains and off towards the west.
And we're beside the trig point in which someone had left a bunch of roses. There's a story there perhaps. But you can imagine what it might be, of that I'm certain...
November 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM
And we're beside the trig point in which someone had left a bunch of roses. There's a story there perhaps. But you can imagine what it might be, of that I'm certain...
Yesterday crepuscular moment: twilight collie and snowball.
November 16, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Yesterday crepuscular moment: twilight collie and snowball.
Also, consequences:
November 16, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Also, consequences:
I went to the Lairg Lamb Sales in Sutherland once and it was verrrrry relaxing.....
November 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I went to the Lairg Lamb Sales in Sutherland once and it was verrrrry relaxing.....
