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A Dreich Day in the Granite City

Scotland Day Two Part One

By Tineke Ziemer

June 4^th, 2017

walking the streets of aberdeen

Dreich is an old Scottish word for a grey, blah day. And indeed, that is what we experienced on our second morning in Aberdeen. That didn't bother me one bit, because I love the atmosphere created by overcast days. The world becomes a faded version of its former self, shrouded in a sense of sadness. What better place to embrace the greys than in Aberdeen, the Granite City, which is a sea of colourless stone. Looking back now, these images evoke in me feelings of loneliness and sorrow. Perhaps it's because we spent much of the walk exploring the graveyard, towers with old dungeons that once housed Aberdeen's criminals and the market square where such criminals were hanged for their 'wrongdoing.' (Though, when you read the list of crimes for which people were put to death in medieval Scotland, you might call most of them 'human' rather than criminal.) Forlorn whispers of their untimely demise still linger in the streets and squares.

"I've Watched my Blue Skies all turn to Grey"

Amidst the world of granite, I found my eyes were drawn to anything with a pop of colour. Almost magnetically, my camera sought out vibrant hues wherever they could be found, whether in rows of rubbish bins or rain-drenched tulips. The contrast between the reds, yellows and greens and the dreary grey stone instantly created a worthy composition.

"Meet me at La Lombardas beneath the Red Door"

a few candids...

Aberdeen was accosted by five photographers from Canada on this day. I happened to capture a candid shot of each of us while we explored.

If you share my love of dreich days, and think you'd want to hang one of the images above on your wall, don't forget to comment with the title of your favourite shot. The draw will be done tomorrow morning.