Alan Battersby shot the winning twite
Paul Boyer of South Uist receiving his cheque from Cailean MacLean for his highly commended photo of snipe
Winners of the Curracag Wildlife Photographic Competition were announced at an event in Lionacleit Museum, Benbecula in February.
The competition has been running for nine years and is funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. All pictures entered must be taken in the Western Isles.
Ninety entries were received this year from far and wide, including 57 from residents in the Western Isles, some of whom were well represented in the list of prize winners.
Jane Twelves of South Uist scooped first prize in the Crofting/Fishing category; Norman Ritchie of Staffordshire topped the Landscape section, and the Flora category was won by Norman Raines, also of Staffordshire, who also came third in the Landscape section. The Fauna category was won by Alan Battersby of Cheshire with his photo of a twite. Brigitta Claus of Lancashire took first in the Collage section.
Other local people on the list included John Macdonald of Lewis, who came third in the Landscape section, and James Charlesworth of South Uist and Duncan MacSween of Scalpay, who came second and third in the Flora category. Miranda Forrest, of South Uist came third in the Collage category, and Frank Stark of Lewis came third in the Fauna section, which also saw Paul Boyer, another resident of South Uist, being highly commended.
Judging and presentations were carried out by Cailean Maclean, Gaelic broadcaster and freelance photographer, based in the Isle of Skye, who also judged the competition during its first year. He said: “I was kept in the dark as to who had taken each photo and with the standard being so high it proved a difficult job deciding the winners. This local competition, which is an annual event, provides a great opportunity for amateur photographers to exhibit their work. The Western Isles is a naturally stunning place with some amazing wildlife, which is reflected in many of the pictures entered for the competition.”
SNH area officer in South Uist, John Love, has had a long association with the competition. Commenting on the competition he said: “The Western Isles is an inspirational place. The entries to this competition reflect the special qualities of the scenery and wildlife in the area. This competition is intended to encourage local people and visitors, of all ages, to get more involved in the stunning scenery and wildlife in the islands and it is encouraging to see how many entries have come from islanders themselves. It provides a great opportunity for people to get outdoors and capture some of the area's natural qualities in pictures and at the same time be in with the chance of winning a prize."
A selection of photographs that were displayed will remain on show at the Museum in Lionacleit School until the end of April. It is hoped to run the competition again next year, to encourage more children to enter the Junior section and, perhaps take in a record entry to celebrate its 10th year.