The Gunsmith

An editorial style project from my time documenting the working life of Scottish traditional gunsmith, Graham Mackinlay. Scotland possesses a rich and storied history within the gun trade, with prestigious makers such as John Dickson & Son and McKay Brown having originated here. Graham, who trained as an apprentice under the latter, now works independently and specialises in repairing and servicing high-end shotguns from the golden age of the trade when guns were still individually handmade by immensely skilled and knowledgeable craftsman, prior the advent of modern CNC production methods which would transform the industry overnight. The apparent lack of interest from the younger generation to train in traditional gunsmithing means that men like Graham will likely be the last of their kind, their vast knowledge and passion for the old ways inevitably disappearing alongside them. I therefore took the opportunity to photograph the practice of one of the last great traditional Scottish gunsmiths whilst I could.