Photographs capture architecture of the Western Isles

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Arnish gun batteryImage source, John Maher
Image caption,

War-time defences such as Arnish gun battery have been photographed for the project, Building Our Islands

A new project aims to encourage people on the Western Isles to engage with the islands' built environment through workshops, art and photography.

Called Building Our Islands, external, it is being held as part of Scotland's Festival of Architecture 2016, external.

Photographer John Maher is documenting dozens of the buildings, both historic and modern.

Islanders have also been asked to vote for their favourite building, external, with the most popular to be illuminated.

Image source, John Maher
Image source, John Maher
Image source, John Maher
Image source, John Maher

Maher has been travelling up and down the Outer Hebrides taking pictures of historic war-time defences, also pubs, hotels, churches as well as modern structures such as a ferry terminal and sheds at Arnish fabrication yard.

The sites are on the islands of Lewis, Harris, North Uist, South Uist, Barra and Scalpay.

Image source, John Maher
Image caption,

Harris Distillery is among the modern sites photographed by John Maher

Image source, John Maher
Image caption,

Arnish fabrication yard near Stornoway also features in Maher's collection

Maher, who lives on the Isle of Harris, was the drummer in 1970s band Buzzcocks, whose hits included Ever Fallen In Love.

Much of his other photography is night-time and long exposure images of abandoned crofthouses on the islands.

Image source, John Maher

Building Our Islands has been organised by An Lanntair and The Western Isles Architecture Group.

The project is supported by associations and public bodies.

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