A few weeks ago I wanted to test my new Contax G2 so I went to Hailes Castle with my Mum. It was really nice to go out somewhere with her as it's not something we really get to do and Hailes Castle was on my growing list of places I wanted to go visit. East Lothian, the county where I live, has a huge amount of castle ruins strewn across its land and I'd like to visit as many as I can. With so much history right there on my doorstep, it seems foolish not to.

Hailes is one of Scotland's oldest stone castles and was built around the year 1220. It sits in the valley of the River Tyne about a mile and a half from the town of East Linton.

I shot two rolls of film, one roll of Fuji Superia X-Tra 400 rated at 200, and one roll of Fuji C200 at box speed. As for lenses I used both the Zeiss 28mm f2.8 and the 45mm f2. Extremely happy with the Contax G2 system and I can't wait to use it again. Hopefully you enjoy the pictures.

Hailes Castle was built by the de Gourlay family and remained under their ownership until they forfeited it during the Wars of Independence with England. The castle was then granted to Sir Adam de Hepburn by Robert the Bruce. The last Hepburn to hold the castle was James Hepburn. James was believed to have been involved in the murder of Mary, Queen of Scots’ second husband, Lord Darnley. In April of 1567 Mary was abducted by Hepburn and taken to Dunbar Castle. They then travelled to Hailes Castle, where they stayed overnight, before proceeding to Edinburgh to be married. It was this event that would eventually lead to Mary’s ruin, and years later, her execution.

What remains of the East tower along with the tree that's sprouted up behind it.

My Mum having a wee seat in the castle grounds.

Old Hailes Burn is a tiny tributary that runs along the front and side of Hailes Castle and into the River Tyne.

The distinctive red sandstone masonry makes it easy to identify the original castle from the parts that were added to it later.

My Mum walking through the remnants of the Castle's curtain wall.

A mishmash of rocky patterns.

A cottage that overlooks a castle? I think I'd be OK with that.

There's a little maintenance building within the castle grounds and I couldn't help but be drawn to the shades of green, particularly the olive green of the bricks surrounding the window frame.

This is one of those photos that I think people might find utterly boring, but personally I find nature's colours and textures to be anything but.

I accidentally exposed for the highlights with this one so it looks different to the other castle shots but I'm posting it anyway because I quite like it!