Four entries showcasing the autumnal beauty of the local landscape have been selected as winners of the Clyde and Avon valleys’ seasonal photo competition – as the hunt for winter winners begins.

Autumnal views over Chatelherault’s formal garden, Lanark from Black Hill cairn, woodlands at Corra Castle and rooftops at New Lanark by Alan Collison, Dylan Nardini and Ricky Mitchell, were the four winning images selected out of over 40 entries.

The images were picked by the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP) team with the assistance of Crawford based Mark Archibald Photography Ltd.

“We were overwhelmed by the quality of all of the autumn entries,” says Sarah O’Sullivan, Communications Officer for CAVLP. “Their diversity highlights what a unique landscape the Clyde and Avon valleys are and just why the area is designated an Area of Great Landscape Value. We look forward to the next winter round of the photography competition and seeing the valleys in the subsequent phase of their seasonal journey.”

Winter entries to the competition can now be submitted under the themes of woodlands, built heritage, geology, play, and inspired by the landscape, until 29 February.

Each winning photographer wins a framed print of their photograph and submitted images may be selected for display in Clyde and Avon valleys exhibitions, postcards and digital interpretation of the area on the CAVLP website, alongside credit to the original photographer.

Judging takes place quarterly, after each seasonal category closes. Winter entries close 29 February 2016, with spring and summer entries closing 31 May and 31 August. Overall winners will be picked in September 2016.

Photographs should be taken in, or looking into, the Area of Great Landscape Value which follows the Clyde and Avon valleys from just south of Hamilton to New Lanark and Strathaven respectively. A map outlining the boundary is available in the competition guidelines. The area is well known for attractions such as Chatelherault Country Park and New Lanark World Heritage Site but there are many, more hidden features of the landscape that tell an equally important part of the area’s story.

Open to all ages and photographic abilities, entries are judged on creativity and individuality as much as technical skill.

“Photographs that showcase the best of the Clyde and Avon valleys play an important role in CAVLP’s aim to inspire people to explore the beautiful and often hidden landscape,” says Donna Marshall, Manager of CAVLP.  “Now, more than ever, we are realising how important landscape is to our wellbeing.  A photograph is a very powerful way to convey the beauty, drama and joy to be had from our special local landscape and we hope that photographers will help us raise the profile of the landscape’s unique characteristics.”

Photographs can be entered in a digital format to info@clydeandavonvalley.com or in print format to: David Dale’s House, Rosedale Street, New Lanark, ML11 9DJ.

To see all of the Autumn entries, please visit the gallery on the CAVLP Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ClydeandAvonValleyLandscapePartnership

For full information on the competition, visit www.clydeandavonvalley.com/news or email info@clydeandavonvalley.com.

Laura Preston – Scottish Wildlife Trust, Falls of Clyde Ranger
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