Scotland’s nature agency wants to snap up your coasts and waters photos

While plans for the themed year, celebrating Scotland’s unrivalled coasts and waters, have been affected by the coronavirus restrictions, many people have still been going outdoors and enjoying nature close to home. SNH is producing a special themed calendar to showcase Scotland’s nature and continue the YCW celebrations into 2021.

Cathy Tilbrook, SNH’s Head of Sustainable Coasts & Seas explained that some positive aspects have emerged from what has been a very challenging period for many. “During lockdown restrictions, some of us were still able to enjoy local beaches, lochs and waterways on our doorstep, and many people reported finding solace in the natural world.”

Cathy added: “Perhaps you discovered a riverside walk right on your doorstep or you really missed a favourite beach or loch further afield, and have enjoyed poring over old photos of past visits. We want to celebrate Scotland’s coastlines and waterways, their landscapes and wildlife, with your special images - and this calendar will do just that.”

During 2022, the Year of Scotland’s Stories (YSS) will carry on the themed year programme, showcasing our country’s rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths and legends. SNH will bridge the two themes with this special calendar.

Cathy concluded: “In anticipation of YSS we want to hear the stories behind the lens. Photos could feature a beach with fond childhood memories or a river where a magical nature moment was captured; it can be anything - tell us your special memory or story of that place.”

The photos do not necessarily have to be taken during lockdown or even during 2020, however they must feature Scotland’s coasts or waters and have a brief story or memory submitted alongside.

The overall winner’s image will feature on the front page of SNH’s 2021 calendar and the runners up will have their photograph featured on a seasonally relevant month of the year in the calendar. Accompanying stories will feature briefly on the calendar, with full versions displayed on SNH’s website. The winner and all runners up will receive copies of the printed calendar.

Entry requirements:

1. A maximum of ten images are allowed per entrant.
2. Each image must be in landscape orientation. In the first instance entries should be submitted as lower resolution JPEGs, saved at 1600 pixels along the longest dimension and sent to calendar@nature.scot.
3. If selected for the calendar, you must be able to supply a high resolution file, preferably via WeTransfer and as a TIFF or maximum quality JPEG, at a minimum of 4000 pixels on the longest side, suitable for printing. This should be 8-bit, and at the original resolution. Please do not upscale. No borders, watermarks or signatures should be included.
4. A brief story should accompany each image (max 50 words per image).
5. Each submission must state the location and approximate month and year the photo was taken.
6. Please include a full name and contact details.
7. The closing date for entries is 5pm on 1 October 2020.

More information and full terms and conditions can be found here: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-access-and-recreation/increasing-participation/snh-and-year-coasts-and-waters-2020-ycw2020/ycw