Photography Competition

And the 2025 winners are:

Theme – Rock & Water of Glenurquhart and Strathglass

Adult winner – Emma Ross
“Golden Hour”
Nominate Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

 

Adult winner – Holly Sarah Fraser
“Our Bonny Loch”
Nominated Charity/Group – Balnain Hall

 

Under 18s winner – Gemma Keating
“Sunshine under the Bridge”
Nominated Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

 

Under 18’s winner – Nyah Oxby
“Nature’s Beauty”
Nominated Charity/Group – Cannich Bridge Primary Parent Council

Photo Competition 2025! – deadline for entries: Sunday 25th May at midnight.

The 2025 photography competition is officially open! After conducting a Facebook poll in Glen Urquhart and Strathglass the theme is:

Photograph by Inverness Tours

Rock and Water of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass

This theme invites photographers of all levels to explore and capture the stunning landscapes and natural elements of this picturesque region.

Rock Formations: Explore the rugged and ancient rock formations that define Glen Urquhart and Strathglass. From towering cliffs to weathered stone structures, these geological features offer a rich tapestry for photography. Capture the textures, patterns, and unique shapes against the Highland backdrop.

Water Wonders: From tranquil lochs to meandering rivers and cascading waterfalls, water shapes the landscape of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass. Capture reflections, the play of light on water, and the energy of flowing streams.

 

Prizes:

For 2025, there will be four winners: two in the under 18s category and two in the adults category. Winners will receive a 20×16 inch (portrait or landscape) canvas of their winning photograph from Max Spielmann in Inverness.

Winners will also receive an individual voucher prize worth £50 to spend in their preferred local business. They will also nominate £100 to a Strathglass or Glen Urquhart based group, club, or charity of their choice. Only groups applicable to apply for our grants are eligible for nomination – please see the Groups/Clubs Directory here.

All runners up will receive an 8×6 inch print of their photograph from Max Spielman.

Bonus Draw – Soirbheas members will be entered into a draw for a £25 prize voucher to spend in their preferred local business. This will be drawn at the Soirbheas AGM on Thursday 3rd July 2025, at Balnain Hall, Glenurquhart. All members are cordially invited, please arrive for refreshments from 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start.

All entries will be considered to produce a Soirbheas calendar for year 2026.

Please fill out the Online Entry Form, or fill out the Word Version and e-mail/print and scan it to Kara at [email protected]

If you have any issues with submitting your entry, please don’t hesitate to contact Kara for alternative options.

Competition Rules:

  1. The photograph must have been taken by the entrant in Glen Urquhart or Strathglass since June 2024.
  2. Participants must be residents of Strathglass or Glen Urquhart. Exceptions will be granted under the following circumstances:
    • Participants who attend school in the area but do not reside in the area.
    • Any other exceptional circumstances deemed appropriate by the Board – please contact [email protected]
  3. Photographers of all skills levels are invited to submit an entry.
  4. Entries can be portrait, landscape or cropped.
  5. Photos can be colour or black/white.
  6. Each entrant can enter one image.
  7. Entries should be submitted by email to [email protected] or via an online form.
  8. Entries must be in JPEG format and no larger than 6MB.
  9. All entries must be previously unpublished photographs and not have been entered in any other photography competition.
  10. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the consent of anyone who is identifiable or owns any property in that image. In addition, where an entrant is under 16 parental/guardian consent is required. Entrants confirm that they have been advised of the purpose of the submission and that the photograph may be used on the Soirbheas website and other promotional or marketing materials. Photographer’s work will be credited if used for merchandise. Entry forms will be kept for a period of three years and not used for any purpose out with the scope of the competition.
  11. Photos should be appealing and original. Any images that are felt to be inappropriate, cause offence or do not fall within the stated themes will not be included in the competition.
  12. Deadline for entries – Sunday 25th May 2025 at midnight.
  13. In the event of a tie-break in the community vote, the Soirbheas Board will decide on the overall winner.
  14. To ensure the viability and competitiveness of the photography competition, a minimum threshold of 20 applicants for each age category must be met. If the number of applicants falls below the threshold for each category, the photography competition for that age group may not proceed. Participants will be promptly notified if the competition does not proceed due to insufficient entries. The Soirbheas Board reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule under exceptional circumstances, at their discretion.
  15. The competition deadline may be extended based on the number of entries received, ensuring sufficient participation.

And the 2024 winners are:

Theme 1 – Roots & Branches

 

Adult Winner – Emma Ross
“Here Comes the Sun”
Nominate Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

 

Under 18’s winner – Ava Nicolson
“Spider Web Branches”
Nominated Charity/Group – Clann an Eich

 

Theme 2 – Smiley Faces

 

Adult winner – Kirstie MacKenzie
“Branches Smiling A-Plenty above Urquhart Castle”
Nominated Charity/Group – Black Dragons

 

Under 18’s winner – Cassandra MacKenzie
“Smiling Cockerel amongst the flowers”
Nominated Charity/Group – Black Dragons

Photo Competition 2024! – deadline for entries: Sunday 26th May at midnight.

This years photography competition is officially open! The two themes are:

Roots and Branches: what beauty of trees can you capture in Strathglass and Glen Urquhart. This theme is open to all residents, including amateur and professional photographers. Under 18’s and Adult categories. Guidance:

  • Ancient Trees: Photograph the oldest trees in the area, showcasing their majestic presence.
  • Intertwined Canopies: Capture the intricate patterns formed by overlapping branches.
  • Wildlife Habitats: Showcase how trees provide shelter and food for wildlife.
  • Textures and Patterns: Focus on the intricate textures of bark and leaf patterns.
  • Reflections in Water: Capture trees reflected in the calm waters of lochs or rivers.
  • Silhouettes at Sunset: Capturing tree silhouettes against colourful sunsets.

 

 

Smiley Faces in Unexpected Places: what smiles can you capture in Strathglass and Glen Urquhart. This theme is open to all residents who are amateur photographers. Under 18’s and Adult categories. Guidance:

  • Natural Formations: Look for rock formations or patterns in nature that resemble smiles.
  • Animal Expressions: Photographs of animals that appear to be smiling or exhibiting joyful expressions.
  • Architectural Details: Search for architectural elements like windows, doors, or decorations that resemble smiles.
  • Plant Life: Capture the curvature of flowers or the arrangement of leaves that resemble smiles.
  • Reflections: Look for reflections on water surfaces or shiny objects that resemble smiles.
  • Inanimate Objects: Photographs of objects or structures with designs or arrangements that create the illusion of a smile.

 

Prizes:

New prize for 2024! Winners in each category and age group will receive a 20×16 inch (portrait or landscape) canvas of their winning photograph from Max Spielmann in Inverness.

Winners in each theme and category will also receive an individual voucher prize worth £50 to spend in their preferred local business. They will also nominate £100 to a Strathglass or Glen Urquhart based group, club, or charity of their choice. Only groups applicable to apply for our grants are eligible for nomination.

All runners up will receive an 8×6 inch print of their photograph from Max Spielman.

Bonus Draw – Soirbheas members will be entered into a draw for a £25 prize voucher to spend in their preferred local business. This will be drawn at the Soirbheas AGM on Thursday 27th June 2024, at Balnain Hall, Glenurquhart. All members are cordially invited, please arrive for refreshments from 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start.

All entries will be considered to produce a Soirbheas calendar for year 2025.

Please fill out the online Entry Form, or fill out the Word version and e-mail/print and scan it to Kara at [email protected]

 

Competition Rules:

  1. The photograph must have been taken by the entrant in Glen Urquhart or Strathglass since June 2023.
  2. Participants must be residents of Strathglass or Glen Urquhart.
  3. Exceptions will be granted under the following circumstances:
    • Participants who attend school in the area but do not reside in the area.
    • Any other exceptional circumstances deemed appropriate by the Board – please contact [email protected]
  4. Entrants under the age of 16 years need to have parent or guardian consent to enter.
  5. Entries from professional and amateur photographers will only be accepted in Theme 1.
  6. Entries can be portrait, landscape or cropped.
  7. Photos can be colour or black/white.
  8. Each entrant can enter up to 2 images, one for each theme. Except for professional photographers who can only enter one photo in Theme 1.
  9. Entries should be submitted by email to [email protected]
  10. Entries must be in JPEG format and no larger than 6MB.
  11. All entries must be previously unpublished photographs and not have been entered in any other photography competition.
  12. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the consent of anyone who is identifiable or owns any property in that image. In addition, where an entrant is under 16 parental/guardian consent is required. Entrants confirm that they have been advised of the purpose of the submission and that the photograph may be used on the Soirbheas website and other promotional or marketing materials. Photographer’s work will be credited if used for merchandise. Entry forms will be kept for a period of three years and not used for any purpose out with the scope of the competition.
  13. Photos should be appealing and original. Any images that are felt to be inappropriate, cause offence or do not fall within the stated themes will not be included in the competition.
  14. Deadline for entries – Sunday 26th May at midnight.
  15. In the event of a tie-break in the community vote, the Soirbheas Board will decide on the overall winner.
  16. To ensure the viability and competitiveness of the photography competition, a minimum threshold of 40 applicants (including adult and under 18 entries) for each category must be met. If the number of applicants falls below the threshold for each category, the photography competition for that category will not proceed. Participants will be promptly notified if the competition does not proceed due to insufficient entries in a particular category. The Soirbheas Board reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule under exceptional circumstances, at their discretion.
  17. The competition deadline may be extended based on the number of entries received, ensuring sufficient participation.

And the 2023 winners are:

Theme 1 – Garden Critters

Adult Winner – Brian Stokoe
“Oh, what’s that!?”
Nominate Charity/Group – Drumnadrochit Piping Society

Under 18’s winner – James Hickson jnr
“Busy Little Bee”
Nominated Charity/Group – Glen Urquhart Primary School Parent Council

Theme 2 – Spring

Adult winner – Lynsey Macready
“Lighter Nights”
Nominated Charity/Group – Craigmonie Woodland Association

Under 18’s winner – Isla Neill
“Red Spring Sky”
Nominated Charity/Group – Glen Urquhart Primary School Parent Council

Theme 3 – Unwinding

Winner – Dagmara Duncan
Netball Northern Lights
Nominated Charity/Group – Cannich Bridge Primary School and Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre

Photo Competition 2023!

We have picked our themes for this years photography competition so get your thinking caps on:

Spring – what do new beginnings in Spring mean to you? Could be weather, flowers, animals, a time for rebirth or awakening. This theme is open to all residents who are amateur photographers. Under 18’s and Adult categories.

Unwinding – a celebration of local groups and organisations showing how they like to unwind, take a break, spend some quality time together. This theme is open to all residents who are amateur photographers and members of a group. Under 18’s and Adult categories.

Garden Critters – what animals or beasties do you see in your garden, a friend’s garden, or family members garden? This theme is open to all residents, including amateur and professional photographers. Under 18’s and Adult categories.

 

 

Prizes:

Winners in each category and class will receive an individual voucher prize worth £50 to spend in their preferred local business. They will also nominate £100 to a Strathglass or Glen Urquhart based group, club, or charity of their choice. Only groups applicable to apply for our grants are eligible for nomination.

Bonus Draw – members only will be entered into a draw for a £25 prize voucher to spend in their preferred local business. This will be drawn at the Soirbheas AGM on Thursday 29th June 2023, at Balnain Hall, Glenurquhart. All members are cordially invited, please arrive for refreshments from 7:15 pm for a 7:30pm start.

All entries will be considered to produce a Soirbheas calendar for year 2024.

Please fill out the Online Entry Form, or fill out the word version and e-mail/print and scan it to Kara at [email protected]

Competition Rules:

  1. The photograph must have been taken by the entrant in Glen Urquhart or Strathglass since June 2022.
  2. Entrants must live in Glen Urquhart or Strathglass.
  3. Entrants under the age of 16 years need to have parent or guardian consent to enter.
  4. Entries from professional and amateur photographers will only be accepted in Theme 3.
  5. Entries can be portrait, landscape or cropped.
  6. Photos can be colour or black/white.
  7. Each entrant can enter up to 3 images, one for each theme. Except for professional photographers who can only enter one photo in Theme 3.
  8. Entries should be submitted by email to [email protected]
  9. Entries must be in JPEG format and no larger than 6MB.
  10. All entries must be previously unpublished photographs and not have been entered in any other photography competition.
  11. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the consent of anyone who is identifiable or owns any property in that image. In addition, where an entrant is under 16 parental/guardian consent is required. Entrants confirm that they have been advised of the purpose of the submission and that the photograph may be used on the Soirbheas website and other promotional or marketing materials. Photographer’s work will be credited if used for merchandise. Entry forms will be kept for a period of three years and not used for any purpose out with the scope of the competition.
  12. Photos should be appealing and original. Any images that are felt to be inappropriate, cause offence or do not fall within the stated themes will not be included in the competition.
  13. Deadline for entries – Monday 5th June 2023 at midnight.
  14. In the event of a tie-break in the community vote, the Soirbheas Board will decide on the overall winner.

Photo Competition 2022

Here are this years entries:

Theme 1 – Transport, getting around by wheels or legs – adult class – to follow

Theme 1 – Transport, getting around by wheels or legs – under 18’s class – to follow

Theme 2 – In my Community – adult class entries

Theme 2 – In my Community – under 18’s class entries

Theme 3 – Colours of Nature – adult class entries – to follow

Theme 3 – Colours of Nature – under 18’s class – to follow

Photo Competition 2021

Another fantastic variety of entrants in our annual competition. We were still a little restricted to Covid lockdown so the community and activities category was extended to include photo’s of past community events; families and individual activities. An adult class and one for under 18’s were centered around the broad themes of our landscape and wildlife – flora, fauna, hills and glens in the rain, hail, snow and sun; our community and activities – activities in groups, with family or as individual – sledging, walking, fishing, baking, gardening etc; and our landmarks and iconic buildings – bridges, hotels, houses, shops, lochs and glens – or was there something new to highlight?

All names were removed from the images so voting could be anonymous. A shortlisting panel selected five finalists in each class. The winners were selected – again anonymously – by a digital community vote. We announced the winners at our AGM on the 24th June 2021. Again we had a bonus prize draw for a £25 voucher to spend in a local business for all members who entered. Gordon Watson randomly selected number 7 which revealed Audrey MacLennan as the winner.

As well as each winner receiving a £50 voucher to spend in a local business, they also nominated a local charity/group to receive £100 from Soirbheas funds. We have produced a community calendar from a selection of photos from all our competitions, with all proceeds going to GURCA and SACC to be used towards community projects.  Many thanks are extended to Cannich Stores and The Loch Ness Hub for managing the sales – an overall great community effort.

And the 2021 winners are:

Theme 1 – Our landscape and wildlife

Adult Winner – Ruth MacLeod
Rainbow on Loch Ness
Nominate Charity/Group – Great Glen Tug of War

Little roe deer

Under 18’s winner – James Hickson jnr
Little Deer
Nominated Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

Theme 2 – Our community and activities

children walking in Balmacaan Woods

Adult winner – Donna Brady
Walks in Balmacaan Woods
Nominated Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

trampolining skills at dusk

Under 18’s winner – Connie MacLennan
Trampolining Skills at Dusk
Nominated Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

Theme 3 – Our landmarks and iconic buildings

sundown at Mullardoch

Adult winner – Caroline MacDonald
Sundown at Mullardoch Dam
Nominated Charity/Group – Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

Bridge and Icicles at Guisachan

Under 18’s winner – Cara Armstrong
Dead Man’s Bridge, Guisachan
Nominated Charity/Group – Strathglass Youth Club

Photo Competition 2020

2020 was a very strange year for us all as the Covid 19 pandemic closed all non-essential contact and events down. The photo competition was a way of raising morale and inclusion across our communities. The aim of the competition was to encourage local people to share their experiences and the activities they undertook during lockdown. The themes celebrated our natural environment, our people, and our projects, all the things that make Glen Urquhart and Strathglass special. Anonymous short listing was followed by an anonymous community vote with over 600 votes submitted. The results were announced through our social media channels and we were delighted to distribute £600 to local charities who were nominated by the winner in each category.

Click on this link for a reminder of the winners. 2020 Photo Competition Winners

Photo Competition 2019

This competition ask participants to celebrate through their entries our landscape and wildlife, our community and activities,  and our landmarks and  iconic buildings across Strathglass and  Glen Urquhart. We were delighted to announce the winners at the Soirbheas AGM on Thursday 27th June 2019.

Click on this link for a reminder of the winners.    2019 Photo Competition Winners

Become a Member

If you are not yet a member and have enjoyed taking part in our events and would like to keep up to date with the work we do across Glen Urquhart and Strathglass, please join us – find out more on our membership web page, and also follow us on FaceBook and Twitter