Photos capture mystery of long-abandoned Highland homes

Photographer Angus Mackay started taking pictures inside abandoned buildings during the pandemic

A photographer's fascination with old abandoned houses has provided rare glimpses inside derelict properties in the north Highlands.

Angus Mackay started taking pictures of the buildings during the Covid pandemic when his other work dried up almost overnight.

With consent of the properties' owners, he carefully explored the former homes in Caithness and Sutherland.

He has published many of his photographs in a new book and collaborated with landscape artist Jane McDonough in a new exhibition.

The houses are on farms, crofts and rural estates.

Mr Mackay said he was intrigued by lives once lived in the properties, and he came across personal items left behind by their former residents.

He said: "Why were they there in the first place, why did they leave, and why did nobody replace them?"

Mr Mackay added: "Although I use the word 'abandoned' to describe the former homes in the book, it is by no means intended as a criticism of those that own them, as there are so many perfectly valid reasons why it can happen."

He said there are plans to modernise some of the properties so they could be lived in again.

The exhibition, called Abandoned, is showing at Waterlines in Lybster village until Saturday 21 December.