Ruairidh McGlynn Photographs The Scottish Wild In Emerging Land

How can we responsibly document these spaces to ensure they remain wild and protected?

Often there can be a reticence to share these places with others. But ultimately, one way or another these places are always going to be discovered. Protecting these places is about educating people, raising an awareness of their importance and trying to instil a change in culture. In a largely consumerist, throwaway society that can be difficult. In Scotland, I find particularly interesting the concept of re-wilding the country with the reintroduction of native species that have long since been wiped out by mankind. Destruction can often be such a quick and ugly process, re-construction often taking a considerable amount more effort and time. I admire the manner in which photographers such as Nadav Kander, Edward Burtynsky, and Andreas Gursky document these themes within their work.

Is there a part of the Scottish landscape that you cannot capture through your lens, but wish you could?

Often I find that there are moments that can’t be entirely conveyed through a still image. As a result, my focus over the coming years is also likely to include motion. Being drawn to harsh environments it can be difficult to position yourself in the right place at the right time and a consequence of producing my work often requires a great deal of perseverance.