Haggs Castle before 1878

Curator: This photograph from before 1878 captures Haggs Castle. It’s by Thomas Annan, presented as a print. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The tonal range—almost monochromatic—gives it a kind of sombre, weathered quality, like an old engraving. The stone of the castle almost seems to absorb the light. Curator: That subdued tone reflects Annan's engagement with recording Scotland's architectural history, particularly those structures undergoing social change, as Haggs Castle later became part of an area undergoing rapid urbanization. He focused quite pointedly on how the rise of the city impacted these rural relics. Editor: It makes you wonder about the lives lived within those stone walls. And what about the stone itself? You know, the very materiality speaks volumes. Where did they quarry it? How long did it take to build something this substantial, the craftsmanship? Curator: Absolutely. Its construction reflects complex power structures. The castle has passed through several families, each shaping its use and meaning—from the Maxwells to others adapting it over time. The architecture mirrors their changing social standing and influence. Editor: It also raises questions about accessibility, about the economics of photography itself at the time. Who was seeing these images and what narratives did it construct around land, power, and preservation? Curator: Photography in that era also became an act of documentation and advocacy, pushing to highlight Scotland’s built legacy. Annan’s choice to photograph sites like Haggs Castle aimed at instilling a sense of national pride and perhaps preservation in the face of social change. Editor: It's a quiet rebellion against progress through materiality—photographic material, and stone! A testament to endurance amidst sweeping changes. Curator: Ultimately, this photo connects architecture to the human story, reflecting societal change, class structure, and the politics surrounding its representation. Editor: It’s a layered piece indeed—an aesthetic and material journey through time, capturing Scotland’s legacy and the stories etched in stone and light.