J Maizlish Mole February 1, 2013

Memory mapping the Isle of Skye, Scotland – in pictures

Artist J Maizlish Mole walked the Isle of Skye, committing its roads and features to memory and collecting local oral histories along the way, to produce incredibly accurate maps as pieces of art

Skye maps: Every Road on the Isle of Skye: Quiraing — This detail shows the Quiraing. Often used in films and TV commercials, this magnificent land formation is at the north end of Skye, at the tip of the Trotternish Ridge. There were also fossilised dinosaur footprints discovered on the eastern shore here a few years ago
Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole, 2012/Commissioned by ATLAS Arts and Portree Community Trust Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole

Skye maps: Quirang, Isle of Skye, Scotland — Early morning view of the Quirang Photograph: Robert Garrigus/Alamy

Skye maps: Every Road on the Isle of Skye: Cuillin — When not hidden behind clouds, the dramatic black Cuillin dominates the landscape. This detail shows an area of Skye not accessible by road. (Detail from the Every Road on the Isle of Skye map)
Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole, 2012/Commissioned by ATLAS Arts and Portree Community Trust Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole

Skye maps: Loch Coruisk to the Black Cuillin mountains, Isle of Skye — Walker admiring the view over Loch Coruisk to the jagged ridge of the Black Cuillin mountains Photograph: Stewart Smith/Alamy

Skye maps: Every Road on the Isle of Skye: Neist Point — Neist Point is Skye's westerly tip, with views to the Outer Hebrides and, if you're lucky, passing whales. A roadside monument to the Glendale Martyrs and the crofters' uprising of 1883 is also marked on the map. (Detail from Every Road on the Isle of Skye map)
Photograph: J Maizlish Mole, 2012/Commissioned by ATLAS Arts and Portree Community Trust Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole

Skye maps: Neist Point, Isle of Skye, Scotland — Warm glow of the setting sun cast over the curving headland at Neist Point Photograph: Steve Atkins/Alamy

Skye maps: A Walk Around Portree: Scorrybreac trail — To produce his A Walk Around Portree map, J Maizlish Mole walked in and around town for two weeks. This detail shows the Scorrybreac – a 3km trail around Ben Chracaig on the east side of Portree, and a local favourite among walkers and birdwatchers. This map is perhaps the most detailed description of the walk, as it includes many of the incidental curiosities along the way Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole

Skye maps: Portree Harbour, Isle of Skye — Portree Harbour seen from the Scorrybreac trail Photograph: Jenny Bailey/Alamy

Skye maps: A Walk Around Portree: The Lump — The Lump is a natural amphitheatre where the annual Highland Games is hosted. It is one of the most prominent geographical features in Portree, but is somehow also quite hard to find from the centre of town. 'The Lovely Muck' is more properly known as Bayfield. (Detail from the A Walk Around Portree map) Photograph: J. Maizlish Mole

Skye maps: Highland games, Portree, Isle of Sky — Highland games, Portree, Isle of Skye Photograph: Mikael Utterstrom/Alamy

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