Highland Challenge Results 2025

The Highland Challenge is a photographic competition for clubs in the Highlands and Islands. It was first run in 1999 and the organisation of the competition rotates between clubs. This year Inverness was the host club. Its aim is to promote photography throughout the Highlands and Islands by fostering collaborative learning and discussion. The main event is an annual, full-day, meeting of Lectures, an Exhibition and an Inter-Club competition with the award of the Highland Shield going to the club that scores the most points. Each club is invited to submit 10 images, colour or mono, print or PI’s. The composition of the entry, and the selection methodology is down to each club.

The Highland Challenge was judged this year by Libby Smith. Unfortunately, Libby was unable to attend in person, but SPF President, George Taylor stood in at the last moment and ran through the comments and scores provided by Libby.

The Highland Shield final scores were -

  • Dingwall 185
  • Cromarty 174
  • Inverness 166
  • Isleburgh ( Shetland) 165
  • East Sutherland (Dornoch) 164
  • Thurso (Caithness) 163
  • Great Glen (Fort Augustus) 159
  • Kiltarilty 153
  • Nairn 151

 

Dingwall’s entries were

  • Male Zebra Finch by Keith Barnes
  • Common Tern Feeding His Mate by Keith Barnes
  • Mayfly Amongst Grasses by Tony Houlton
  • Flag Carrier by Stan Miller
  • Triangles by Jim Macdonald
  • Four Eyes (frog) by Shona Ward
  • Milky Way Over Forsinard by Mark Janes
  • Mountain Hare by Jim Biscoe
  • No Escape by Jim Macdonald
  • Hidden Woodlouse by Simon Prail

 

As well as the club competition, there were 4 other classifications and also an overall best image.

Emma Deeth (East Sutherland) won Best Mono Print with an image entitled Mykonos Windmills

Keith Barnes (Dingwall) won Best Colour Print with an image entitled Male Zebra Finch

John Malley (Great Glen) won Best Colour Projected Image with an image entitled Life is not a Bed of Roses

Owen Cochrane (Inverness) won Best Mono Projected Image with an image entitled The Fishmonger. Owen Cochrane also won the Overall Image with The Fishmonger.

You can see all of the winning Club's entry as well as all of the Award Winners below. A gallery is now available (click here) for you to enjoy them all together.

 

Ed Smith of the Eleven41 Gallery in Kingussie was the guest speaker. He gave an excellent talk on his photography as well as his journey by canoe along the River Spey. Much of this centered around the process from image capture to making a final print. On digital and film. More can be found on the following links (click here) and (click here)

Owen Cochrane, Inverness Camera Club