Ralph Tonge - Photography

24/10/2026

Sheltering in the sanctuary of 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 | coffee & design shop before a shift at work..

16/10/2026

What a night out at North Tolsta! ✨

I headed out this evening with no great expectations, and the sky over Lewis delivered once again. A low band of aurora glowed green along the northern horizon above the coast, while the Milky Way stretched overhead and the Andromeda Galaxy,, sat quietly among the stars.

The Merry Dancers, were not putting on their most energetic show tonight, but there is something special about standing on the cliffs above the bay in the dark, listening to the sea, with that soft green light rising behind the clouds.

These are straight from tonight’s shoot. Clear autumn skies like this are one of the great gifts of living out here, with so little light pollution between us and the stars.

Prints are available. Just send me a message if you would like one of these on your wall.

13/10/2026

An Avebury Journey is a beautiful film by my artist neighbour Jill Smith. On Thursday night this week - rescheduled due to Hebridean weather - we're screening it at The Edge Cafe in Aird Uig with music by me and Ralph Tonge.

An Avebury Journey was filmed in 1982/1983 but was shown in public for the first time ever last month at An Lanntair. It's a fascinating historical document, marking the beginning of a new creative phase in Jill's life that ultimately led to her Zodiac Journey project for the Fruitmarket in Edinburgh in 2023 and 2024.

All welcome at our clifftop cinema. Entry is free.

12/10/2026

NEWS. With support from Creative Scotland, Ralph Tonge and I have just started working on a photography and music project about the Hebridean village of Aird Uig, an amazing, unique place that has been an inspiration to both of us for a long time now.

There will be an exhibition at An Lanntair in 2027, accompanied by new music (live and recorded).

Thanks so much to Creative Scotland for funding this project. It's the first time either of us has applied to CS as artists and we're excited to be working with each other, and with the community of Aird Uig, to bring this to life.

Follow us both for updates over the next few months...

12/10/2026

Not photography related, but some of you might find this of interest..

NEW EPISODE

Here on OH!CAST there are some sacred cow properties where we all agree that they are simply wonderful. We’re delighted to be able to welcome the creator of at least two of those on to the show tonight as Stephen Volk - the writer of BBC’s 1991 Halloween special feature, Ghostwatch, and the novella Whitstable which depicts 68 year old Peter Cushing being mistaken for Van Helsing joins the show.

Cal, Hereward, Ralph, and Graeme have one of their favourite conversations yet with Stephen as they grill him on not only the things he has written, but his inspirations, and his ideas about what makes a good horror story. As huge fans of Stephen’s rich catalogue of work – both on page and screen – we had lots to talk about – not just the most famous entry on his CV.

Behind the scenes note – time really did fly during this episode and Stephen is such a wonderful raconteur that we could probably have chatted for the same amount of time again!

Stephen’s website is HERE
Buy the Dark Masters Trilogy HERE

Buy us a Coffee! https://ko-fi.com/ohcast
Get all of our links here: https://taplink.cc/ohcast
Official OH!Cast Merch: https://oh-cast-shop.fourthwall.com
Email the team: [email protected]

Chapters

00:00 The Roots of Horror: Personal Influences
04:05 Cinematic Inspirations and Touchstones
11:02 The Impact of Ghost Watch
20:58 Exploring Doubt in Supernatural Stories
25:38 Exploring Themes of Grief and Fear
30:17 The Art of Twists in Storytelling
34:06 The Creative Process Behind Scripts
39:36 The Journey of Peter Cushing
48:02 Connecting Horror Icons

Watch now https://youtu.be/qHZkHedsLtE

11/10/2026

A year ago this week at Calanais, and I still think about that lucky change in the sky.

The day started with a lid of flat grey cloud sitting low over the stones. Then, almost without warning, it began to break apart. The whole sky opened up above the circle: long streaks of high cloud fanning out across the blue, layers of cloud catching the light, and a bright band glowing along the horizon beyond the hills. It's not like that every day, but the stones witness it all... And they've seen so much..

That’s the magic of Calanais. These stones have stood on their ridge above Loch Roag for around 5,000 years, and the weather still moves over them like a performance put on for whoever happens to be there. Up close, they’re every bit as dramatic: twisting bands of gneiss, grey and white, crusted with lichen and crowned with moss, each stone with a character all its own. Do you have a favourite stone? I know I do.. Can you guess which one?

A few frames from that visit. Which one would you hang on your wall?

Prints available, just send me a message.

05/10/2026

📅 A Hebridean Year: my 2027 calendar is here! 📅

Twelve months of Lewis and Harris, gathered across a full turn of the seasons. 🌊🌈✨

Winter Atlantic spray crashing over stunning beaches. The aurora burning bright over Garry Beach. A spring rainbow arching above Aline. The moon sinking between the Calanais Stones.

Every one of these images was made here on the islands, in the places I know best, often after hours of waiting in the wind and rain for the light to do something special. This calendar is my way of sharing those moments with you, a new view to look forward to every single month.

🎁 The perfect Christmas gift for anyone who loves the Hebrides, whether they live here, grew up here, or left a piece of their heart here on holiday. Lewis and Harris folk scattered around the world will love a little bit of home on the wall all year.

💷 Just £15
📦 Order online and I'll post it straight to you (or to whoever you're treating!)

👉 Order yours here: https://www.ralphtonge.co.uk/product-page/a-hebridean-year-2027-calendar

Buying for family and friends? Grab a few and get your Christmas shopping sorted early. 😉

And if you can, please share this post. Every share helps a small, independent island photographer more than you know. Mòran taing! 🙏

05/10/2026

Where in the Hebrides? 🌅

Last year I was lucky enough to be out on one of those evenings when the sky simply catches fire. Clouds lit gold from beneath, the sea shining like hammered metal, and the light shifting so fast I could barely keep up with it.

These are a few frames from that evening, and they still stop me in my tracks every time I look at them.

So here's the challenge: can anyone guess where they were taken? 🤔

Drop your guesses in the comments. I'll reveal the answer later this week! 👇

Prints of these images are available, just send me a message if one speaks to you.

01/10/2026

🎤 Calling young musicians!

Entries for our Youth Open Mic Night close this Friday, 2 October at 5pm! ⏰

If you’re aged 12–25, this is your chance to take the stage - solo or with your band - in a supportive, non-competitive space. No judging, no prizes, just music, creativity and confidence-building! 🎶

📅 Performance: Thurs 8 Oct
🕖 7pm
🎟️ Free for performing musicians | Audience tickets available

👉 Sign up/Book tickets: https://lanntair.com/events/event/youth-open-mic/

Creative Scotland

29/09/2026

What a day to remember. Sarah and Chris Macritchie were married last Friday at Tolsta Free Church, with family portraits at Traigh Mhor and the most brilliant reception at the Caladh Hotel in Stornoway. I had the best time capturing it all.

Yes, it was a bit breezy up at Tolsta! But that shot of Sarah with her bridesmaids? Pure magic. They were absolutely playing up for the camera, and honestly it produced one of my favourite photos of the year. That is what wedding photography is all about for me: the real moments, the laughter, the smiles and the joy. Sarah's parents laughter in their photo here is also just to me what weddings are all about - candid moments mixed with the more formal shots that capture the magic.

Huge congratulations to Sarah and Chris, and to both families. What a wonderful crowd of people to spend a day with.

If you are thinking about a wedding photographer for 2027 or beyond, I would love to hear from you. I offer three packages to suit different days and budgets, with bespoke pricing tailored to your plans. No two weddings are the same, and I never treat them like they are.

Get in touch at [email protected] or drop me a message here.

📷 Ralph Tonge Photography, North Tolsta, Isle of Lewis