A north photographer alluring image of the Cairngorms has taken the top prize in a national competition.
David Russell’s photograph of Glenfeshie in the Cairngorms National Park depicts the moody grey hills and clouds, with blooming purple heather in the foreground.
It was selected as the winner of this year’s UK National Parks Photo Competition, which attracted hundreds of entries.
The annual contest showcases the uniquely diverse landscapes of the UK’s 15 National Parks.
This year, theme was Britain’s “Landscapes of Plenty”, encouraging photographers of all ages and skill levels to capture images they felt highlighted the beauty and productivity of the national parks.
Mr Russell, of Shutter Scotland, said: “We go the wild places to breathe and have our breath taken away by the sights, the space and the wild.
“The Cairngorms are my ‘Landscape of Plenty’ because they never, ever disappoint. Wide open space, wild blooming heather and hills, hills, hills. Space and sights worth remembering in plenty.”
The guest judge for this year’s competition was TV presenter and well-known outdoor enthusiast Julia Bradbury.
Describing the winning image, she said: “It’s moody and dramatic and yells ‘Scottish Highlands.’ The striking colour of heather never fails to surprise, and the contrast against the angry sky amplifies the tumultuous tones.”
Russell’s image was selected from a shortlist of nine images. The standard of entries this year was very high and made judging particularly difficult, according to National Parks UK Director Kathryn Cook.
She added: “Within the short list there are stunning images of Snowdonia, the Lake District, the South Downs, Exmoor, the Peak District, and the Broads.
“Each one of these images is truly inspiring and serves as a reminder of the special qualities of Britain’s breathing spaces.”