An exhibition offering a unique perspective on the landscape of Scotland is to open in Aberdeen.
Above Scotland is a photographic exhibition from the National Collection of Aerial Photography featuring some of the country’s most iconic landmarks.
Opening on February 28 at the Gallery, Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen, the exhibition features aerial images of urban, rural and island landscapes.
The photographs in the exhibition are arranged across five sections – Taming the Earth, which explores how Scotland has been altered by its people, Ritual and Religion, which includes photographs ranging from ancient tombstones and ruined abbeys to churches and cathedrals, and Enlightenment which depicts its effect on the Scottish landscape.
Scotland’s role in fuelling the growth in manufacturing and the industrial revolution is examined in the Engine Room section while Defending the Land features images which capture the nation’s turbulent history.
Landmarks photographed include Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven, Balmoral Castle, the northeast town of Burghead and a striking aerial view of an industrious Aberdeen Harbour.
Siobhán Convery, Head of Special Collections at the University of Aberdeen, said: “The University of Aberdeen is delighted to host the Above Scotland exhibition.
“This unique collection of images from the National Collection of Aerial Photography demonstrates the impact of agriculture and industry, and religion and conflict on the land under our feet.
“Through these large-scale images visitors can gain an insight into the long and complex histories of how Scotland’s places came to be, their stories and their architecture.
“We hope people will take advantage of this opportunity to view Scotland from a new perspective.”
Above Scotland has been created by Architecture and Design Scotland (AD+S) and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).
Rebecca Bailey, RCAHMS Head of Education and Outreach said: “The National Collection of Aerial Photography brings together millions of images, including those taken from Scotland's skies over the past 100 years.
“Every year this archive continues to grow, as more historic photographs are preserved and as our aerial survey team continue to record the landscape - capturing everything from glimpses of ancient settlements in crop marks to gleaming new architecture. Each image in this exhibition is a window onto the nation's past, present - and sometimes even its future.”
The exhibition is in the Gallery, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Bedford Road, and runs until April 20, 2014.
Entry is free of charge and The Gallery is open from 10am to 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 7.30pm Thursday and from 12noon to 4pm Sunday.