Childhood friends Mr Paul Hempstead and Mr Richard Gaston have been wandering the Scottish Highlands since they were young: camping in the hills in the winter, swimming in the lochs in the summer. Glasgow natives, the boys grew into men with an appreciation for a landscape they began to capture on film. Both photographers, Mr Hempstead (MR PORTER’s Senior Designer, now based in London) and Mr Gaston decided late last year to collaborate on a photography project that would document the beauty – and the grit – of the countryside.

The pair have named the project All That Remains Of Alba after the Gaelic name for Scotland. The photo series is a new look at Scotland’s idyllic Highlands, a mix of natural landscapes and apocalyptic abandoned settlements. The project is also a mix of two styles: Mr Hempstead’s proclivity for capturing bleak remnants of industry, and Mr Gaston’s more polished gaze. Together, the two are presenting an “honest” portrayal of the Scottish Highlands or, as Mr Hempstead puts it, “a proper portrait” of their home country.

Because we’re lucky enough to work with Mr Hempstead, he’s kindly given us a sneak peek of the project, which we’re using – as we sit on our sofas or home-working chairs – as an opportunity to escape our humdrum isolated existence. Now, we’re passing the opportunity along to you. See below for a selection of images from All That Remains Of Alba.