11th September – 11th November

We are delighted to present Mons Graupius, Allegoria, a new photography exhibition by Andy Hay exploring the legendary clash between Roman and Caledonian forces through the evocative landscapes of Scotland.

The exhibition will open on Thursday, 11 September, following the Trimontium Talk with Alan Montgomery, which also delves into the mystery of Mons Graupius. The evening will conclude with a conversation with the artist.

Step into a striking visual journey through Scotland’s contested past. In Mons Graupius, Allegoria, Andy Hay explores the landscapes believed to be connected to the elusive site of the first recorded battle between Roman legions and Caledonian tribes — the legendary Mons Graupius.

Spanning from Stirling to the edge of Inverness, this black-and-white photographic series goes beyond a Roman-centric narrative. Through carefully composed images and symbolic use of modern infrastructure, Hay reflects on the lasting impact of Roman imperialism on Caledonian society.

Shot on a vintage medium format camera using traditional 6×6 film and darkroom-inspired digital techniques, this evocative body of work combines historical inquiry with artistic metaphor. Join us in viewing Rome’s shadow across Scotland’s hills — and the echoes of resistance that still linger there.

Special thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland and UK Shared Prosperity Fund without whom the development of the HALO space and associated activities would not be possible.

Andy Hay

Andy Hay (b.1965) is a British fine art landscape photographer based in the southwest of England. 

Recently, he completed an MA in Photography at Arts University Bournemouth, which helped clarify both his methods and motivation. Renewing his love for the analogue process and its relative simplicity, Andy now combines traditional film photography with the precise control of the digital darkroom. He uses a decades-old medium format camera system with a 6×6 square format, shooting in black and white. The images are then digitised and processed using techniques analogous to darkroom methods.

Andy explores ancient landscapes and ancestral traces, aiming to discern the ambience created by their past. Through his work he encourages the contemplation of deeper time and invites audiences to learn from history.

After gaining a professional qualification in photography at Salisbury College of Art, from 1993 Andy worked for 20 years as a staff photographer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, documenting their work. His photography has been widely published nationally and internationally by government conservation bodies, Wildlife Trusts, tourist authorities, The National Trust, Cambridge University, National Geographic, the Guardian, Telegraph, Times, the BBC & ITV, with portfolios featured in the British Journal of Photography and Professional Photographer magazines. 

He has lectured in photography up to foundation degree level, has been a guest speaker at the Scottish Nature Photography Fair, camera clubs, RSPB members’, and naturalists’ groups nationwide.

Group exhibitions have included Salisbury Arts Centre 2009, exhibition by alumni of Salisbury College, and MA Graduation Show 2024, Arts University Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset. 

Andy’s first solo photography exhibition Mons Graupius, Allegoria: A photographer’s search for Rome’s firebrand in Caledonia’s haystack is upcoming at the Trimontium Museum, Melrose, Scotland, in September 2025. 

Visit Andy’s website HERE