The Horses of Holy Isle

30 Aug

Located off the west coast of Scotland, Holy Isle has an ancient spiritual heritage stretching back to the 6th century. The Holy Isle is now taken care of by a group of Buddhist monks from Samye Ling. This natural beauty spot is now a place of peace and meditation where the Centre for World Peace and Health is situated.

People come from all over the world to a retreat. The Isle is a very unique place as it’s entirely run by volunteers in accordance with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche's vision of cultivating inner peace as a way of achieving world peace.

To protect the Holy Isle as a sacred space, they request that all who visit or stay here endeavour to be in harmony with the Island's aims of promoting world peace and health by following the Five Golden Rules:

To respect life and refrain from killing
To respect other people's property and refrain from stealing
To speak the truth and refrain from lying
To encourage health and refrain from intoxicants (including alcohol and drugs, cigarettes and vapes)
To respect others and refrain from sexual activity that harms others.

Esther Towler photographying horses on Holy Isle — Photographing on Holy Isle

I found the Holy Isle whilst researching for Eriskay ponies to photograph for my book Wild Hearts. I just knew I had to visit. What I didn’t anticipate was the deep warmth and affection I developed to the Isle, the people who volunteer, and the horses I photographed. I have never been to a place that feels so like home – free, familiar and safe. .

Observing and photographing the Eriskay ponies who live on the Isle has been such a captivating, wonderful experience. These ponies are truly unique and live a wild existence, they are left to live and roam free within their herds across the Isle and have no human interference which is very unusual within the UK.

From the beginning, the stewardship and care of Holy Isle's beautiful natural environment has been high on Lama Yeshe's agenda. With a far-reaching vision, the Holy Isle Project is working to address the spiritual value of land through restoring and conserving the natural ecology. At present, there are three types of large mammals living on Holy Isle: the Eriskay ponies, Soay sheep and Saanen goats, and a rich variety of wildlife. They live wild lives in an ever-changing environment. The Isle is often governed by the tide and elements and has a very spiritual pull that draws you in.

I was only meant to visit the Isle as a tourist once for a few days to photograph the ponies. However, I returned as a volunteer at the beginning of the year for a few weeks to help the centre and spend time with the three herds photographing them and getting to know them better.

I am planning another trip within the next few months. What was a brief visit to capture the ponies has now turned into a separate project called the Horses of Holy Isle.

Photographing wild horses is a captivating experience that requires patience and a deep understanding of their behaviour. As they roam freely across the Isle, their raw beauty and untamed spirit present both challenges and rewards. The interplay of light and shadow on their majestic coats, combined with the raw landscapes they inhabit, creates stunning visual narratives. Moments of playfulness, caution, and connection within the herd can unfold unexpectedly, offering opportunities to capture the essence of their wild nature. This art form goes beyond mere documentation; it's about fostering a connection with these magnificent creatures and celebrating the wild, unbridled elegance they represent.

As I continue my visits, I wish to capture the unique spirit of these horses. their essence, and relationships they have with each other, the Isle and the elements they battle and embrace each day. I am eager to find out more about the dynamics of the three herds and look forward to learning more and sharing their captivating wild spirit within my horse photography prints.

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