Teampall Mholuaidh- Pilgrimage Site, a photo from Western Isles, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Near the Butt of Lewis and in an isolated field is the small Church of St Moluag, locally known as Teampall Mholuaidh (Gaelic)

Saint Moluag, (c.530 - 592) was born in Ireland and was a missionary to Scotland, and a contemporary of Saint Columba, who evangelized the Picts of Scotland in the sixth century. The present church is said to date from the 12th century but the site is believed to have been consecrated since the 6th century.
Dedicated to St Moluag, who was regarded as a healer, the church was one of the four places of pilgrimage in Scotland for both healing insanity and wounds and sores.

Because it was so remote the sufferer from wounds and sores could send a wooden limb with an indication of where the wound was. A visitor to the church in 1610 saw these lying on the altar.

The insane had to visit in person. Their treatment involved being given water from the nearby St Ronans well; led seven times sun wise around the building; laid, bound hand and foot, before the altar with their head resting on the stone pillow of the saint; and not allowed up until the next morning. If, after treatment they were still insane they were declared incurable. The expression Ill take you to the temple was used as a threat to anyone behaving foolishly and was still in use as recently as 1912.

This photograph is copyright of Rosemary Walden - Š Rosemary Walden 2012. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of the image in any form is prohibited. You may not, except with my express written permission, copy, reproduce, download, distribute or exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system

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Critiques | Translate

PeakXV (245) 2012-10-24 8:59

The depth of field, magical light and man made contours that lead our eyes toward the historic dwelling all well contribute to this impressive composition. The church is well positioned within the expansive countryside and it's weathered, earthen hues are in fine contrast to the lush greenery in the foreground and intense sunlite clouds in the background. Very nice, Rosemary!

Regards,

Derek

ManuMay (36447) 2012-10-24 9:01

Hi Rosemary!

A capture with a professional touch!!

Superbly done, composition, colours and contrasts, definition and sharpness, the house placement the path leading our view, the amazing cloudy sky...everything here is truly great!!

Hats off!!

Have a nice day...

Manu

No_One (4) 2012-10-24 9:14

hi Rosemary
This looks so Celtic, with the gold and green grass, and the beautiful little church. I love itse sense of isolation, added to by that really dramatic sky. The leading path to the church is fantastic, and urges one to go and explore. Great shot, thanks
Noel

korbee (6619) 2012-10-24 9:16

Some church this is Rosemary,great location in the first place,and how about that light,and what a sky.
I love the atmosphere of old churches specially in remote far away places,like my wifes home land Indonesia... ;=].

Cheers.

jan

jester5 (2024) 2012-10-24 9:28

A beautiful photograph Rosemary with wonderful composition,colour and contrast.
Those poor people, how the mentally disturbed have been treated with appalling cruelty over the years, it's a wonder the kirk isn't haunted by them all.

jemaflor (146168) 2012-10-24 9:41

Hi Rosemary,
Great light and composition, interesting effect with these lines, perfect depth result.

corjan3 (2109) 2012-10-24 9:49

Hello Rosemary,
It is like with anything in life. Either you have it or you don't. This is a fabulous image....period. A joy to behold! Best wishes.
Neels

dta (98848) 2012-10-24 9:51

Hello Rosemary ,
What a moody composition ! The light and the sky are wonderful , to emphasize the picturesque stoned house , perfectly placed in the composition . The converging fences add to the interest .
Great capture .

williewhistler (16606) 2012-10-24 10:13

Hello Rosemary ,
with all lines leading to the little church it`s an excellent composition,there is a lovely light on the building that appears as a haven from the approaching storm.
Lots of drama and interest.
Best regards Les.

ourania (51103) 2012-10-24 11:04

Hello Rosemary,
this is a wonderful composition, very well considered and effective. It makes great use of the few but fascinating elements of this view and exalts their interaction. The seemingly simple way you created depth and perspective gives a suggestive sense of dynamism that enhances and is enhanced by the sharp textures, fascinating lighting, colours and contrasts. The outcome is a captivating dramatic effect superbly complemented by your note. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

LOOOK13 (19046) 2012-10-24 11:39

Bonsoir Rosemary.
One more time a spectacular capture!
A magic job, and what a beautiful result.
Bravo.

rychem (72187) 2012-10-24 11:42

Beautiful view, great perspective and composition with this church in the strong point, beautiful cloudy sky, well done
regards
Ryszard

baclama (19214) 2012-10-24 12:00

ho, wonderful sky and beautiful colors....
great shot!!
TFS
vero

yquem46 (38752) 2012-10-24 12:38

Hello Rosemary
A splendid one !
gorgeous dark sky, nice contrast with the yellow/green under excellent light
Well composed with the lane leading to the church
Bravo, cheers
Patrick

Gigidusud (21679) 2012-10-24 12:49

Hello Rosemary,
Splendid landscape with nice perspective,fantastic sky and magical light.I like it!
Thanks for sharing,
Ghislaine

carlo62 (81265) 2012-10-24 13:04

Ciao Rosemary
gran bella prospettiva, le linee portano direttamente verso il centro della foto, dove c'č la casa sapientemente decentrata, il tutto sotto un cielo molto scenografico.
Ottimo lavoro
Carlo

Porthos (1302) 2012-10-24 13:37

Hi Roremary,
Great composition using the fences as lead in lines to the little church. This along with the light and dramatic sky make a lovely photo.
Regards
Derek

ACL1978 (7511) 2012-10-24 14:51

The mood of this, coupled with your fascinating note, gives equal parts foreboding and beauty to the shot. The path is really interesting - greener than the surroundings, but with that well worn path down the center. The dark clouds rolling in (or out?) at left add to that mood as well. Beautiful vivid colors; did you also consider a B&W treatment? You would lose the gorgeous saturation, but the contrast and mood of the shot could make it work as well.

Andrew

RegisMinot (1543) 2012-10-24 16:17

Hi Rosemary,

A fascinating picture due to the quality of light and colours, the wonderful sky and the quality of your composition making eyes to converge on this little house.
Régis

Waylim (25436) 2012-10-24 17:08

Hi Rosemary,

Beautiful light you have here and great POV with wonderful perspective. I love how all the path lead right to the house and so are all the lines and fence and even the grass are leaning toward it.

Excellent composition and love the warm light and moody sky.

Way

Didi (61589) 2012-10-24 17:31

Hi Rosemary
Fantastic perspective on the church in a strongpoint of the frame.
Very good lights ambiance
It's an awesome picture.
Best regards

jjcordier (79299) 2012-10-24 22:37

Rosemary
Trčs belle photo. La composition est trčs réussie, la lumičre superbe et le ciel en arričre plan de toute beauté.
Amicalement
JJ

dkmurphys (79209) 2012-10-25 2:27

Hi Rosemary,
What a great POV! I like a lot the lines converging into the rocky old church. Splendid place, well taken!

Daniel

timecapturer (49288) 2012-10-25 3:30

Hi Rosemary
a classic composition with all the lines and elements in the right place and oh so tantalising. Love the contrast of colours and atmosphere they impart to this beautiful image. A truly exquisite shot!

Regards - Brian.

Highmountains (2674) 2012-10-25 4:15

The isolation of the simple church has been fantastically expressed. The wild beauty of the scenery is well established by the sharp details of the colourful photograph.
The yello and green grass, the bule sky with silver and grey clouds - have deep colouring and saturation. The contrast is heightened thereby enhancing the sharpness.
The wired lines of fencing, amidst the wild grasslands, the positioning of the church towards the central right of the photograph and the immense width of the silvery cloud makes this a very effective composition.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful photograph.

madhumita_roy86 (2344) 2012-10-25 6:11

Hi Rosemary,
very beautiful composition...
great colours...nice contrast...
like the lonely hut..very good sky....
impressive presentation....
Tfs! regards,
Madhumita.

clic (76) 2012-10-25 6:33

Hello Rosemary
It's quite a "pilgrimage" indeed for reaching the old church at the end of the long alley that, with the help of left-side fence, contain interest towards the "stone ermit" glorified by such dramatic skies!
Cheers.
Robert

Nicou (193806) 2012-10-25 7:09

Hlelo

quelle vue et perspetive fantastique compo e tiamge quelle barričre avec la ferme en fond quel rendu des tons et couleurs sueprbe cpatage et profondeur.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

mesutilgim (0) 2012-10-25 9:35

Hello Rosemary,
Wonderfull scenery, perfect captured ! Very good pov and perfect layout.
A perfect and photogenic sky crowns the scenery.
Many interesting notes makes it a perfect TE entry.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Robert1969 (7160) 2012-10-25 10:14

Hello Rosemary,

This is a strong picture.

Contrast, light management and the
composition are in a great balance.
The diagonal lines from the path
and the fences creates a nice depth.
As viewer you can feel the wind.
The beautiful sky is a nice extra.

Friendly regards,
Robert

marabu61 (11587) 2012-10-25 10:41

Hello Rosemary
What a beautiful scene with deep saturated colors, great framing with the lines of the fences leading towards the church, a dramatic sky and an amazing light. A real eye catcher you got yourself here.
have a good evening
Daniel

scaddycopper (373) 2012-10-25 12:57

Wonderful shot, beautiful light, terrific lead in created by the path, and what a great sky. Well handled exposure and excellent depth of field. I love it.

Nigel

chawax (20764) 2012-10-25 13:00

Hi Rosemary,
Great shot ! The photo is very well composed : the farm is at a strong point in the picture and the gates drive our look to it. The colours are very good and the sky is great for photography and makes the atmosphere very good ! Excellent sharpness too. Very good work !
Regards,
Olivier

JFS (32459) 2012-10-25 22:32

The whole image is lovely, the old house makes a good balance and the dramatic sky completes the powerful scene.
Thanks Rosemary!

CLODO (45116) 2012-10-26 0:48

Hi Rosemary

A photographic lesson!

Framing: good choice of POV to have the house at a strong point and the fences guiding the look on it. The clouds seem to be generated by this lonely house.

Hues: the sun illuminates the mainly yellow meadows while the black cloudy sky reinforces the dramatic effect by contrasting with them.

Congratulations and thank you
CLODO

m00n (2259) 2012-10-26 4:16

I like this type of landscape, this type of approach, and the approach to the subject.
Nice tone, dynamic shot, great colors. Very realistic atmosphere dedicated space. Great also technically

Good job ...

chrisvek (7003) 2012-10-26 7:05

Hello Rosemary

What a wonderful place with so calm and peaceful atmosphere.Very beautiful colors and very good POV.Very good job!

Have a nice day
Chris

bartekp (4746) 2012-10-26 10:39

Hi Rosemary,

Fantastic shot, what a POV, strait to church.
I like colors and amaizing sky.

Have a nice evening and weekend

Bartek

npecanhuk (79329) 2012-10-26 10:58

Hello Rosemary!
This one is so beautiful!!!!!
You had an excellent idea and did a superb photo job!
You worked so perfectly with light and colors!
Chosen pov, level of sharpness, dof and composition are outstanding qualities!
I love that sky! I really enjoy how you placed those fences and the church - so harmonious and dramatic at the same time!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

serp2000 (47063) 2012-10-27 8:54

Hi, Rosemary,
My congratulations! Outstanding assymetric composition, excellent quality. I like this quiet rural scene. TFS!
best wishes,
Serghei

delpeoples (60342) 2012-10-27 19:45

Hi dear Rosemary

What a beautiful photo but I can't get over how drastically your note belies this scene. It seems like the treatment of the mentally ill has not progressed all that much. Your note is one that fascinates me (I regularly work with people with mental illnesses and conditions) and would be very interesting also to Craig (who as you know is a sychiatric nurse). But to your photo. I love the light, it has illuminated the grasses and the old stonework beautifully. The threatening grey sky is fantastic, as is the effect on it by the wide-angle lens. The key element (at least to my mind) is the perspective created by the fence and crop lines. They draw the eye so successfully towards to cottage and the horizon. Great shot.

Warmest regards
Lisa

Royaldevon (85576) 2012-10-28 2:42

Good Morning Rosemary,

I have been away for a few a days (to a presentation so have been cameraless :-() Anyway, I've missed quite a few of your shots but chose this one to critique as it appealed most to my senses.
What a wonderful overall effect: the fenced path, with its diminishing posts and converging lines, makes an irresistible guide. Even the grasses appear to be pointing towards the focal church. The light and the sky all help in this very fine shot.

I did enjoy reading the notes. A great bit of social history.

Have a lovely Sunday,
Bev :-)

Graal (103040) 2012-10-29 3:19

Hello Rosemary,
beautiful landscape here. Good shot and composition. I like the perspective, light and colours. An interesting note. Very good photowork.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

mkamionka (73198) 2012-10-29 4:21

Hi Rosemary,
what a beautiful picture. I like very much the well saturated warm colors. The stron approaching from the right side makes a great effect and fantastic background for the building. The road leads the eye nicely towards it.
Very well done!!
M

COSTANTINO (115407) 2012-10-29 8:37

Hello
lovely landscape with the little church
the sky adds mystery and beauty
the clouds are moving towards us
and create an anxious atmosphere
great inspiration
regards
Costantino

leo61 (0) 2012-10-29 10:39

Hi Rosemary!
Amazing depth with the converging lines of these fences and the wonderful clouds.
Wonderful light and perfect position of this building.
Regards,leo

abmdsudi (95869) 2012-10-30 1:22

Hi Rosemary
This is really great moment you captured, such a dramatic dark threatening sky is the show of the day. A very inspiring wonderfully peaceful landscape and you are blessed by magic light at this late hour and you must be over the moon with this result! Your timing is great, the little farmhouse makes the perspective and the lush greenery is just inviting the eyes to explore around, but the golden hues is real bonus. This image evokes a lucid picture of pure brilliance and magic moment, a scene with tranquil feel. Fine work. Incredible shot TFS, Congrats.
Kind regards

mirosu (16313) 2012-10-30 2:14

Hello Rosemary,
I am really impressed by this image. I love the composition and the perspective with the house and cloudy sky in BG is amazing. The light is excellent.
The framing is very well chosen framing, in a slight higher-angle shot that works very well graphically, and gives a nice perspective to the grass field and the house. The light has a beautiful effect on the elements, and the simple colors are magnificent. Well done!!!

sevy (58) 2012-10-30 3:09

Hello Rosemary,

I like a lot this kind of shot in wide angle playing through the composition with the perspective to give depth to the picture.
A wonderful lightning you got there.
A shot which should be printed in large size, it is worth.

Yves.

ciakgiak (30) 2012-10-30 14:50

Ciao Rosemary,
Voglio aggiungere le mie lodi ad una foto assolutamente fantastica, una composizione bellissima ed impressionante, con colori rari ed una grande atmosfera. Complimenti.
Un caro saluto
Giorgio

macjake (98256) 2012-10-30 22:13

Hi Rosemary
I'm happy to tell you that I'm the lucky guy who gets to give you your 100th point on this photo :)
congrats.
and its well deserved too.
there are 4 key elements that I really enjoy.
the open long line in the field leading to the structure
the structure itself
the grey scary clouds with atmosphere
and the contrasting bright yellows and greens.
Not sure what else you could ask for in this one!
bravo
craig

Angshu (56760) 2012-11-01 1:01

Hello Rosemary!
Difficult to think its Scotland with all the light & colours around :-)
Well planned & thought of POV creating an effective composition using the perspective of the barbed fence drawing our eyes straight to the solitary house. The wide angled lens has been used to the optimal effect here. Fine contrast with the blue sky as well. Fine work!

Best Regards
Angshu

Kielia (24077) 2012-11-03 9:23

Hi Rosemary,
it is a very inviting composition, I would like to walk this path, visit the church and enjoy the fascinating landscape. The dramatic sky makes this impression very attractive. A very well composed image accompanied by an interesting note, my compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

kato (11630) 2012-11-03 20:09

Hello Rosemary,

You're capturing well this place by a good composition, vivid tone and excellent sharpness, so it's interesting and impressive to see a small church and firmland with wheat. It's effective for way the rows are converging taking the viewer, too. And, it draws out additional good impacts for the row of wooden fence and the sky with thick clouds.
Have a nice Sunday,

Kind regards,
mikio

adores (46979) 2012-11-08 14:29

Hi Rosemary!
The little church seems really far from everything and the sky was really beautiful but what really catches my eye here is this field in foreground - it gives us the feeling it was very windy on that day. Light, colours and dof are very good. I like your PP here!

jimkil (1706) 2012-11-08 17:24

Stunning light, colours and composition here, the mood is Scottish indeed, but this is what makes the image, the light popping in out out from the clouds, and hitting the button at the right time.
Well done
Jim

weetrees (159) 2013-01-12 14:53

OK how did i miss this one!

Absolutely outstanding
Absolutely fantastic
Unbelievably envious
Wow
killer Shot Rosemary this is a tourist board shot if ever there was one!
Perfect framing perfect light and wow clouds..
WELL DONE
now dont come back here again as you are putting us all to shame :-)

Best regards
John
One of the best shots i have ever seen on here and thats saying something

drt100 (4038) 2013-07-07 10:16

I agree with so many here that this is an excellent photo. So many elements make it such. The alignment of the fence, the sky rich and moody, the natural bliss of the farm house. A feeling of standing alone about to get nature up-close and personal. The storm coming from the right. But also the photo is crisp, field grass clear and colorful, the stonework in the structure ... all work well here. A photo well taken.

David

Indrasish (2943) 2013-07-08 23:17

Hello Rosemary,
great shot here.. You maintained a great composition here with this path and farm house.. superb image quality too.. Very well done.. Nice colors also..
have a nice day and wish you all the best,
Indrasish..

wolf38 (30) 2014-08-14 7:49

Hello Rosemary. What a beautifull photo. Perspective everything is going to the barn. The light and the colors are just wonderful. Really a great shot.
Rgds, Wolfgang.