In the buzzing heart of Edinburgh, 45‑year‑old Kieran Dodds began photographing his fellow ginger‑haired Scots in 2013, convinced that the colour of red hair held a story worth telling. Over the last decade, that obsession turned into a world tour, landing him first in Russia’s Perm, then in Jamaica’s Treasure Beach, and finally across the United States.
Looking back at a 2020 book he called Gingers spanned the world, Kieran noted a glaring omission: a lack of American subjects. "I realised I didn't have any American citizens," he told the BBC. A cascade of messages from strangers set the stage for a new series, leading him to discover a golden thread that binds the continent together.
Alabama, a state known for its civil‑rights history, became a surprising hub of ginger stories.
The book, now called Gingers of America, includes portraits such as Joshua Elliot from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, revealing a blend of German, English, Swedish and Native American lineages. "My mother’s side has always been involved with the Muscogee tribe," he explains.
Other entries capture histories beyond the usual genetic narratives. Lottie Wahkinney, a Comanche girl with Scottish grandparents from Galashiels, illustrates early intermarriages between Scots, Irish and Native Americans. Similarly, a Yukon‑born Cherokee named Lakia carries a distinct deep ruby hair, hinting at an unknown ancestry even in the absence of recorded European links.
Kieran’s research estimates that about 4% of the U.S. population—roughly 14 million red‑haired souls—could be clustered together into a single city, a town so bright it would shine from space. In Scotland, the figure is even higher: 13% of the population carry natural red hair.
So what does this golden thread reveal?
"I use the word ginger for its descriptive power; red is the colour of fire engines and blood, while ginger has a golden tone. It can be used kindly. That’s my big idea."
— Kieran Dodds
Through photographs, stories, and genetics, the author shows how a single hair colour can map movements—from European migration to Native‑American resettlement – and how those patterns sit at the heart of American identity. His book is not merely a collection of portraits; it’s a roadmap that invites viewers to explore and discover the shared heritage that unites people across the continent.
