Photographs of Oman by Stephen Scourfield to accompany his book Beautiful Witness These photographs aim to give the reader a taste of the places and a glimpse of some of the people in Beautiful Witness. I was a child who wanted to be a writer, and who later trained also as a photographer, and then went out and discovered a most remarkable planet. Stephen Scourfield This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. The moral right of the author has been asserted. Copyright Stephen Scourfield 2013
Part of the city of Muscat, sitting in a rock bowl in the late light. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Looking towards Al Waha Hotel. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Looking towards Al Husn Hotel. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Grand Mosque, Muscat. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The corniche along the waterfront in Muscat. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Fish souk in Muttrah Bay, on the Old Muscat waterfront. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The new road around the Old Muscat waterfront. Muttrah Bay. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Grounds of Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental hotel Muscat. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The corniche in Muscat has a wide walkway and date palms and is popular in the still, warn evenings. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Precinct of Al Aalam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Marina near Al Bustan. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
One of Oman s excellent roads. This is east of Sur. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Driving south from Muscat. Al Amarat Road. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Fin, a fishing town between Qurayyat and Sur. Picture: Stephen Scourfield A man scurries for shade, under an umbrella in Fin. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Qurayyat, between Muscat and Sur. It has a fort and small shops. Picture: Stephen Scourfield The fort in Qurayyat. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Sur, which was an important dhow building centre. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Sur shimmers in the heat. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Dhows at Sur. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Mountain ranges near Ras Al Jinz. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Camel in a big flood plain near a village near Sur. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
A dhow and traditional fishing camp near Sur. Picture: Stephen Scourfield A minaret in Sur. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Overlooking Nizwa from its fort. Picture: Stephen Scourfield The inland town of Nizwa, set in date palms. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The Nizwa goat market, two hours south-west, inland from Muscat. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Nizwa s Friday goat market draws Omanis in traditional dress. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Buying and selling at Nizwa s goat market. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Nizwa in the evening. It is warm and still and sweetly scented. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Dates at the souk in Nizwa. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Rifles and the local khanjar knife are in many shops at the craft souk at Nizwa. I ask if the rifles work. Of course they work, I am told. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Mohammad at Al-Remal Al-Dhapia store at the souk in Nizwa.Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Ibrahim at Al-Remal Al-Dhapia store at the souk in Nizwa. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The drive north from Al Hamra to Jabal Sham mountain. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Village near Samail. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Al Hamra, a town north-west of Nizwa. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Jabal Mahill range, between Samail and Nizwa. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Rooms at Jabal Shams Resort. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The vehicle I used turned out to be a Landcruiser. I turned out to be glad as I approached the Hajar Mountains. Picture: Stephen Scourfield Driving into the Hajar Mountains. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Crossing the Hajar Mountains between Al Hamra, heading for Hut and Wadi Bani Awf (west of Al Awabi). Picture: Stephen Scourfield The drive up Jabal Sham mountain. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
The landscape around Jabal Shams. Picture: Stephen Scourfield A bird cleaning goats at Jabal Shams Resort. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Look closely for the truck, which gives a sense of perspective. Crossing the Hajar Mountains between Al Hamra, heading for Hut and Wadi Bani Awf (west of Al Awabi). Picture: Stephen Scourfield
There are walled terraces for irrigated date palm trees and crops in the Hajar Mountains between Al Hamra and Wadi Bani Awf. Picture: Stephen Scourfield A window near Wadi Bani Awf. Picture: Stephen Scourfield
Crossing the Hajar Mountains west of Al Awabi. Picture: Stephen Scourfield