Bealach an iar-thuath (Northwest Passage): Photographs by Paul Glazier, David Gordon and Glyn Satterley

Part of Glasgow Mod 2019

Bealach an iar-thuath means Northwest Passage. This partial selection of rare works from the late 70s and mid 80s by three photographers provides a unique insight into Scotland’s Gaelic communities. 

Glyn Satterley presents a document of life in the neglected area of Caithness and Sutherland at a time when the myth was much banded about that the oil industry brought wealth and prosperity to the whole of Scotland. David Gordon’s work highlights the centrality and interdependency fishing had in the island community of Lewis, whilst Paul Glazier’s images in Vatersay present a poignant insight into the most Southernly inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides.

The works in this display are from larger bodies of work - David Gordon's project 'Fishing the Minch' is on exhibition at Museum nan Eilean (Stornoway) from the 5th October - 21st December 2019. This exhibition as part of Glasgow Mod 2019 is one of a series marking Street Level's 30th anniversary (September 2019 - September 2020). Paul Glazier's images are from 'Island | Eilean'  an exhibition currently on show at Museum nan Eilean (Uist & Barra) and runs until 31st October 2019. Both of these exhibitions are presented in association with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Glyn Satterley's work is from his series 'Caithness and Sutherland' and featured in the exhibition 'Scotland's Far North' alongside Tom Kidd and Chick Chalmers, which was exhibited at Street Level in 2017 and is a Street Level Photoworks touring exhibition. Both David's and Paul's exhibitions will be exhibited in Glasgow in later 2020.

Image: © Glyn Satterley