Photographer under fire after nude photos were shot inside an historic 17th century castle

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has launched an investigation after it was revealed that scandalous photos of a known glamour model were captured at Craigievar Castle in Scotland.

According to reports, the NTS is looking into legal action in regards to whether or not the photographers and model were given permission to shoot at the historic location.

Completed in 1626, the Craigievar Castle resides in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where it’s been in the hands of the National Trust for Scotland since 1963.

The photographers in question are Karen and Howard Kennedy of Aberdeen City, UK. The model, who was photographed nude inside the furniture within the castle, is Rachelle Summers (NSFW link) of Blyth, Northumberland, UK.

The investigation came to be after a relative of the castle’s previous owners were notified of the not-so-decent photographs, which were shared across online fine art websites for purchase.

Howard Kennedy says he had booked the castle in advance over the phone. In speaking to the Daily Record, Kennedy added:

I told them it was for nude photography. They wanted £500 but I said that was beyond my budget so we agreed £200. I handed over a cheque made out to the National Trust to Craigievar staff..

The NTS has other thoughts though, stating ‘We have no evidence of payment. We are trying to find out how they got into the castle.’

As for how those who were tipped off feel about the situation, Gabriel Forbes-Sempill, the daughter of the 19th Lord Sempill who gifted the castle to NTS, stated:

I am by no means a prude but I don’t believe my parents gave the castle to the nation for this sort of thing.

If there’s one lesson to be had for this, it’s that you should have EVERYTHING in writing before you ever take part in a shoot. Even more so if you’re shooting inside a 17th century castle.

[via BBC]

Image credits: Craigievar Castle by Neillwphoto used under CC BY-SA