Martin Parr - Remote Scottish Postboxes

Being driven by Martin can be a very nerve-wracking experience — he is always looking about, spotting things to photograph: a front garden, a shop window, a pile of home grown vegetables for sale by the side of the road.

When we lived in Ireland, it was Morris Minors. Back then, people didn’t trade in their old cars or take them to the scrapyard; they let them rust away in situ or sometimes found a use for them in the form of a hen coop, storage for animal feed, a compost heap. Martin became obsessed with spotting abandoned Morris Minors — scarcely recognisable shapes mouldering away in the middle of fields, under hedges, beside barns. We would be driving along and he would suddenly jam on the brakes, leap out, climb over a wall and start taking photos while I waited in the car. He was always oblivious to the astonishment of passers-by.

I was reminded of those days when he began photographing post boxes in remote parts of Scotland. It would be the exact same thing: driving happily along, screeching to a halt, then a period of time spent looking for the best angle for the photograph, while I drummed my fingers. Once he had worked out when the light would be right there was usually another phase of activity. So we would often have to deviate from our planned route, sometimes by miles, in order to get back to a particular post box at the right time of day, or in perfect weather conditions.

We spent many holidays exploring outlying Scottish islands and the far north-western reaches of the mainland. Orkney, Shetland, Barra, Lewis, Islay — all these places have their unique character and distinctive beauty, as well as predictably unpredictable weather. Driving along, mile after mile, I would be happily looking out for otters and eagles, while Martin would be hoping to add to his collection of post boxes.

Luckily, in these remote spots there was usually not much traffic, so when he spotted a likely candidate coming up he generally managed to stop safely.

On the Scottish islands, or in remote parts of the mainland, a bright day can make the colours of the landscape almost unbelievably intense: yellow, pink, mauve, green and turquoise, glowing and iridescent. But when the clouds roll up, the mists descend, and the light dims, colours soften and dull.

Bravely gleaming out against this ever-changing backdrop, the bright red of the post boxes is always the same: a cheery reminder of the red sweater that was always present in a John Hinde landscape postcard, placed as a foil to the more subtle shades of the natural world.

When you are in the middle of nowhere, in a bleak landscape and in wild weather, these little post boxes are strangely comforting, a sign that other people are around, that life is going on, and that you are connected to the world.

Susie Parr

Being driven by Martin can be a very nerve-wracking experience — he is always looking about, spotting things to photograph: a front garden, a shop window, a pile of home grown vegetables for sale by the side of the road.

When we lived in Ireland, it was Morris Minors. Back then, people didn’t trade in their old cars or take them to the scrapyard; they let them rust away in situ or sometimes found a use for them in the form of a hen coop, storage for animal feed, a compost heap. Martin became obsessed with spotting abandoned Morris Minors — scarcely recognisable shapes mouldering away in the middle of fields, under hedges, beside barns. We would be driving along and he would suddenly jam on the brakes, leap out, climb over a wall and start taking photos while I waited in the car. He was always oblivious to the astonishment of passers-by.

I was reminded of those days when he began photographing post boxes in remote parts of Scotland. It would be the exact same thing: driving happily along, screeching to a halt, then a period of time spent looking for the best angle for the photograph, while I drummed my fingers. Once he had worked out when the light would be right there was usually another phase of activity. So we would often have to deviate from our planned route, sometimes by miles, in order to get back to a particular post box at the right time of day, or in perfect weather conditions.

We spent many holidays exploring outlying Scottish islands and the far north-western reaches of the mainland. Orkney, Shetland, Barra, Lewis, Islay — all these places have their unique character and distinctive beauty, as well as predictably unpredictable weather. Driving along, mile after mile, I would be happily looking out for otters and eagles, while Martin would be hoping to add to his collection of post boxes.

Luckily, in these remote spots there was usually not much traffic, so when he spotted a likely candidate coming up he generally managed to stop safely.

On the Scottish islands, or in remote parts of the mainland, a bright day can make the colours of the landscape almost unbelievably intense: yellow, pink, mauve, green and turquoise, glowing and iridescent. But when the clouds roll up, the mists descend, and the light dims, colours soften and dull.

Bravely gleaming out against this ever-changing backdrop, the bright red of the post boxes is always the same: a cheery reminder of the red sweater that was always present in a John Hinde landscape postcard, placed as a foil to the more subtle shades of the natural world.

When you are in the middle of nowhere, in a bleak landscape and in wild weather, these little post boxes are strangely comforting, a sign that other people are around, that life is going on, and that you are connected to the world.

Susie Parr

SHETLAND

Printed in an edition of 500 © Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for photography © Susie Parr for text © RRB Publishing for this edition Picture research Tom Groves · Design by Victoria Forrest · designbyvictoria.com · Printed by Longo AG, Bozen, Italia RRB Publishing is a division of RRB Photobooks Ltd · rrbphotobooks.com ISBN: 978-0993232350 · Bristol MMXVII

SHETLAND

Printed in an edition of 500 © Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for photography © Susie Parr for text © RRB Publishing for this edition Picture research Tom Groves · Design by Victoria Forrest · designbyvictoria.com · Printed by Longo AG, Bozen, Italia RRB Publishing is a division of RRB Photobooks Ltd · rrbphotobooks.com ISBN: 978-0993232350 · Bristol MMXVII

Mon-Fri 7am 60° 35’ 25.5804’’ N 1° 19’ 57.0194’’ W

ZE2 74 North Roe, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 7am 60° 35’ 25.5804’’ N 1° 19’ 57.0194’’ W

ZE2 74 North Roe, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 9.30 am 60° 32’ 4.7904’’ N 1° 3’ 9.558’’ W

ZE2 38 East Yell, Isle of Yell, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 9.30 am 60° 32’ 4.7904’’ N 1° 3’ 9.558’’ W

ZE2 38 East Yell, Isle of Yell, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 8am 60° 29’ 22.7044’’ N 1° 27’ 7.0376’’ W

ZE2 15 Urafirth, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 8am 60° 29’ 22.7044’’ N 1° 27’ 7.0376’’ W

ZE2 15 Urafirth, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 8am 60° 14’ 38.7128’’ N 1° 31’ 26.918’’ W

ZE2 101 Bridge of Walls, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 8am 60° 14’ 38.7128’’ N 1° 31’ 26.918’’ W

ZE2 101 Bridge of Walls, Shetland Islands, 2004

Mon-Fri 6.45am 60° 11’ 1.8434’’ N 1° 24’ 34.7836’’ W

ZE2 92 Reawick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, 2004

Mon-Fri 6.45am 60° 11’ 1.8434’’ N 1° 24’ 34.7836’’ W

ZE2 92 Reawick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, 2004

ORKNEY

ORKNEY

Mon–Fri 7.45am 59° 10’ 06.2” N 2° 59’ 43.6” W

KW17 42 Sourin, Rousay, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 7.45am 59° 10’ 06.2” N 2° 59’ 43.6” W

KW17 42 Sourin, Rousay, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 7.45 am 59° 8’ 26.2644’’ N 2° 58’ 28.0524’’ W

KW17 63 Brinian, Rousay, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 7.45 am 59° 8’ 26.2644’’ N 2° 58’ 28.0524’’ W

KW17 63 Brinian, Rousay, Orkney Islands, 2007

Collection time varies 59° 6’ 27.144’’ N 2° 34’ 18.5664’’ W

KW17 53 Everbay, Stronsay, Orkney Islands, 2008

Collection time varies 59° 6’ 27.144’’ N 2° 34’ 18.5664’’ W

KW17 53 Everbay, Stronsay, Orkney Islands, 2008

Mon–Fri 11.30am 59° 5’ 17.2428’’ N 3° 2’ 55.1508’’ W

KW17 81 Tingwall, Mainland, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 11.30am 59° 5’ 17.2428’’ N 3° 2’ 55.1508’’ W

KW17 81 Tingwall, Mainland, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon-Fri 1.15 pm 59° 2’ 57.948’’ N 2° 50’ 36.5424’’ W

KW17 69 Balfour, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, 2008

Mon-Fri 1.15 pm 59° 2’ 57.948’’ N 2° 50’ 36.5424’’ W

KW17 69 Balfour, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, 2008

Mon–Fri 12.45pm 58° 59’ 45.5172’’ N 3° 11’ 0.3372’’ W

KW16 04 Tormiston Mill, Stennes, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 12.45pm 58° 59’ 45.5172’’ N 3° 11’ 0.3372’’ W

KW16 04 Tormiston Mill, Stennes, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 11.30am 58° 56’ 19.9968’’ N 2° 43’ 47.4204’’ W

KW17 68 Deerness, Mainland, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 11.30am 58° 56’ 19.9968’’ N 2° 43’ 47.4204’’ W

KW17 68 Deerness, Mainland, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 11.15am 58° 52’ 31.4382’’ N 3° 23’ 11.8248’’ W

KW17 64 Rackwick, Isle of Hoy, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 11.15am 58° 52’ 31.4382’’ N 3° 23’ 11.8248’’ W

KW17 64 Rackwick, Isle of Hoy, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 9am 58° 45’ 59.3687’’ N 2° 57’ 51.0343’’ W

KW17 72 Burwick, Burray, Orkney Islands, 2007

Mon–Fri 9am 58° 45’ 59.3687’’ N 2° 57’ 51.0343’’ W

KW17 72 Burwick, Burray, Orkney Islands, 2007

OUTER HEBRIDES

OUTER HEBRIDES

Mon–Fri 10.45am 58° 14’ 8.1348’’ N 6° 11’ 55.2876’’ W

HS2 31 Siulaisiadar, Shader Point, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 10.45am 58° 14’ 8.1348’’ N 6° 11’ 55.2876’’ W

HS2 31 Siulaisiadar, Shader Point, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 8.45am 57° 57’ 11.1593’’ N 6° 56’ 55.6134’’ W

HS3 106 Meavaig, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 8.45am 57° 57’ 11.1593’’ N 6° 56’ 55.6134’’ W

HS3 106 Meavaig, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 9.15am 57° 51’ 40.3564’’ N 6° 58’ 48.5915’’ W

HS3 137 Horgabost Township, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 9.15am 57° 51’ 40.3564’’ N 6° 58’ 48.5915’’ W

HS3 137 Horgabost Township, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 8.30am 57° 37’ 38.1’’ N 7° 29’ 32.3448’’ W

HS6 11 Baleloch, North Uist, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 8.30am 57° 37’ 38.1’’ N 7° 29’ 32.3448’’ W

HS6 11 Baleloch, North Uist, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 1.45pm 57° 27’ 49.7088’’ N 7° 23’ 39.6852’’ W

HS7 45 Aird, Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, 2010

Mon–Fri 1.45pm 57° 27’ 49.7088’’ N 7° 23’ 39.6852’’ W

HS7 45 Aird, Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, 2010

INNER HEBRIDES

INNER HEBRIDES

Mon–Fri 9.15 am 57° 39’ 0.7596’’ N 6° 14’ 38.6124’’ W

IV51 67 Flodigarry/Digg, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 9.15 am 57° 39’ 0.7596’’ N 6° 14’ 38.6124’’ W

IV51 67 Flodigarry/Digg, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 9.45am 57° 27’ 27.4439’’ N 6° 19’ 35.5552’’ W

IV51 18 Skeabost Bridge, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 9.45am 57° 27’ 27.4439’’ N 6° 19’ 35.5552’’ W

IV51 18 Skeabost Bridge, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 9am 57° 21’ 44.01’’ N 6° 27’ 27.6912’’ W

IV55 56 Ebost, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 9am 57° 21’ 44.01’’ N 6° 27’ 27.6912’’ W

IV55 56 Ebost, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 10am 57° 20’ 16.5876’’ N 6° 6’ 50.94’’ W

IV51 08 Gedintailor, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 10am 57° 20’ 16.5876’’ N 6° 6’ 50.94’’ W

IV51 08 Gedintailor, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 7.45 am 57° 16’ 37.38’’ N 6° 2’ 31.38’’ W

IV49 35 Luib, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 7.45 am 57° 16’ 37.38’’ N 6° 2’ 31.38’’ W

IV49 35 Luib, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, 2009

Mon–Fri 11:30am 56° 40’ 57.8532’’ N 6° 29’ 12.0232’’ W

PA78 104 Bousd, Coll, Inner Hebrides, 2006

Mon–Fri 11:30am 56° 40’ 57.8532’’ N 6° 29’ 12.0232’’ W

PA78 104 Bousd, Coll, Inner Hebrides, 2006

Mon-Fri 6.45am 56° 31’ 35.9072’’ N 6° 47’ 33.6678’’ W

PA77 138 Kirkapool, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides, 2006

Mon-Fri 6.45am 56° 31’ 35.9072’’ N 6° 47’ 33.6678’’ W

PA77 138 Kirkapool, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides, 2006

Mon 6am, Tues–Fri 7am 56° 29’ 36.4992’’ N 6° 8’ 16.5012’’ W

PA73 159 Lagganulva, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon 6am, Tues–Fri 7am 56° 29’ 36.4992’’ N 6° 8’ 16.5012’’ W

PA73 159 Lagganulva, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 11.15am 58° 4’ 55.1352’’ N 3° 44’ 42.0252’’ W

PA68 147 Balnahard, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 11.15am 58° 4’ 55.1352’’ N 3° 44’ 42.0252’’ W

PA68 147 Balnahard, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 1.30pm.

Summer Service Only 56° 23’ 29.0425’’ N 5° 58’ 37.5668’’ W

PA67 131 Kinloch Crossroads, Uluvalt, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 1.30pm.

Summer Service Only 56° 23’ 29.0425’’ N 5° 58’ 37.5668’’ W

PA67 131 Kinloch Crossroads, Uluvalt, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 1.30pm.

Summer Service Only 56° 23’ 29.0425’’ N 5° 58’ 37.5668’’ W

PA67 131 Kinloch Crossroads, Uluvalt, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 1.30pm.

Summer Service Only 56° 23’ 29.0425’’ N 5° 58’ 37.5668’’ W

PA67 131 Kinloch Crossroads, Uluvalt, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides, 2008

Mon–Fri 12noon 55° 46’ 1.268’’ N 6° 21’ 36.4572’’ W

PA49 24 Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides, 2005

Mon–Fri 12noon 55° 46’ 1.268’’ N 6° 21’ 36.4572’’ W

PA49 24 Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides, 2005

Mon–Fri 11.45 am 55° 42’ 25.272’’ N 6° 24’ 59.292’’ W

PA48 13 Nerabus, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides, 2005

Mon–Fri 11.45 am 55° 42’ 25.272’’ N 6° 24’ 59.292’’ W

PA48 13 Nerabus, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides, 2005

HIGHLANDS

HIGHLANDS

Mon–Fri 11.15am 58° 4’ 55.1352’’ N 3° 44’ 42.0252’’ W

KW8 56 Helmsdale, Sutherland, Highlands, 2008

Mon–Fri 11.15am 58° 4’ 55.1352’’ N 3° 44’ 42.0252’’ W

KW8 56 Helmsdale, Sutherland, Highlands, 2008

Mon–Fri 11.45am 57° 50’ 56.4194’’ N 5° 4’ 41.7076’’ W

IV23 197 Ardcharnich, Ullapool, Highlands, 2007

Mon–Fri 11.45am 57° 50’ 56.4194’’ N 5° 4’ 41.7076’’ W

IV23 197 Ardcharnich, Ullapool, Highlands, 2007

Mon-Fri 9am 57° 25’ 41.2813’’ N 5° 49’ 9.5927’’ W

IV54 259 Applecross, Wester Ross, Highlands, 2006

Mon-Fri 9am 57° 25’ 41.2813’’ N 5° 49’ 9.5927’’ W

IV54 259 Applecross, Wester Ross, Highlands, 2006

Mon–Fri 9.30pm 57° 23’ 19.2329’’ N 5° 35’ 45.4067’’ W

IV54 234 Achintraid, Strathcarron, Highlands, 2006

Mon–Fri 9.30pm 57° 23’ 19.2329’’ N 5° 35’ 45.4067’’ W

IV54 234 Achintraid, Strathcarron, Highlands, 2006

Mon–Fri 4.15pm 56° 25’ 9.039’’ N 4° 27’ 17.9413’’ W

FK20 162 Luib, Crianlarich, Highlands, 2006

Mon–Fri 4.15pm 56° 25’ 9.039’’ N 4° 27’ 17.9413’’ W

FK20 162 Luib, Crianlarich, Highlands, 2006