Scottish Lochs

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this contest and, in particular, to those who took the trouble to add location details to their images. Some of the Celtic/Gaelic names are as delightful as the Scottish scenery that is to be found there. To those who are merely browsing the results, maybe you’ll decide to go and discover some of these scenes for yourself?

When I looked at this image, I saw exactly what was needed for this “Scottish Lochs” contest. There could be little confusion about the subject here. The large rock in the foreground caught my eye then led it around the shoreline to the distant hills, then back along the far side to discover the castle that is the title of this shot. I love the calming autumnal colours, the detail in the naked trees and the peaceful shimmer of the water. This is one that I’d happily print onto canvas and hang on my wall.

Sometimes, people or animals can add something to a picture, yet we often wait for such distractions to move out of view. In this image, however, I get the impression that even the dog is enjoying this view. Or maybe it’s becoming concerned about those threatening clouds?

What wouldn’t I give to have a view like this from my window. The grime around the frame would soon be unnoticed. Indeed, it seems to lend an authenticity to the whole scene, but it’s just as well that the pane was not dirty enough to spoil the view! Even the pull chord obscuring the view up the valley does not seem to get in the way. This castle has been a popular subject for images in this “Scottish Lochs” contest but your production stands out because of this clever framing.

Thank you for sharing this sight with us. I can see why it’s one of your favourites. By being so, I imagine that you have grown to know it well: to have discovered the better angles and best times to shoot. This is a glorious sun-rise in a wonderful setting. The half-submerged gate caught my eye and pointed me into the picture, to where the first light is coming from. I hope you feel suitably rewarded for the early start and enduring the cold. A stunning shot!

I love these lochs with crystal-clear water and a silky-smooth surface. This one is slightly better than most because the distant shoreline is not straight across the centre and the mirroring is broken by the lumps in the foreground. This makes a more interesting composition. The rich and vibrant colours with a delightful sky make for a most restful image.

Thank you for providing both the name of the castle and the loch in the title of your image. I love the striking contrasts between the snow and the rock. They make this one stand out. The dark blue tones convey the chill of a Wintery day. I’m just glad that I don’t live in that castle!

Thank you for providing the name of the location in your image and even more details in its description. I think this captures the highlands well: lochs, mountains, a few sheep and not many properties. Having got away from the towns and cities, you are greeted with peace and tranquillity. The sheep are simply minding their own business whilst you can admire the view.

This is a captivating shot. I find it strange to be so excited about such a drab image but it’s the moodiness that I find so attractive. Indeed, it reminds me so much of many of my own experiences of Scotland. I need to stop, now, because I am reminded of the wee Midges and have started to itch!

I like the composition of this image. As the day closes, a few grasses are silhouetted against a dramatic sky. There’s not much detail because it’s getting dark yet, in those late rays of sunshine we have a wonderful reflection across the loch and can study the outline of each of those grasses. It’s a great composition and stands out because of that.

Lochs vary in size, from the small or “wee” ones to “monster” ones like this. Loch Ness - the largest I believe - should not look like a mill pond and this one certainly does not. Although I cannot see it, I can believe that a monster could be living here. It would be so tempting to Photoshop one in, but I think it much better to leave that to the imagination. Besides, it would spoil what is already a lovely shot.

I love the perfect reflection in this still water. You could turn this upside down and not notice the difference but, actually, that is where this one is different: Where many have chosen to place the waterline across the very centre of their image, I like this one because it is offset from the middle. The glassy surface provides a perfect reflection. It’s interesting how water becomes still overnight, I’m sure that reflection did not last much longer into the day. I hope you feel that the trouble taken to capture this early morning view was worth the effort.

Venture into creating composites and you are only limited by your imagination (and Photoshop skills). This one has taken a perfectly good image of Loch Lomond and stuck it behind their front window to add more interest. An original idea and well accomplished. Now, speaking of imagination, I’m wondering what the true picture might have been from this window. A good subject for debate, maybe?

This is a lovely loch image. By gaining some height on it, I can admire its shape and be tempted to wonder what lies beyond, where it disappears around different headlands. The farm may not appreciate the lake as much we can, but it will see the mountains beyond. I only wish you had told us what range that was.

I like this nicely composed image of Plockton. It looks so peaceful, nestled at the side of this loch. It seems to be a good place to holiday if you wanted to escape the stress of city life. I wonder how you can get to that boat - I’d like to explore this scene even more!

I commend this image for its composition. I like the path leading up to the monument, both pointing up the loch towards the skyline. Thank you for adding the historical information about this monument and thank you, also, for using your phone in landscape mode!

This shot of Loch Awe is wonderfully composed (you could truly say it’s awesome!). I love the way the lone tree in the foreground has been used in a most artistic way to frame the castle behind. The loch is almost invisible because of the reflections on its surface but, once you have discovered it, you come to appreciate what a wonderful loch this is.

This is a delightful shot of four people enjoying the sun and a view of the loch. Well done for recognising the potential and capturing a natural, rather than a posed situation. The human element reinforces the enjoyment to be gained from waterscapes like this. I’d like to take my flask and sandwiches, to join them. Whilst not normally a fan of borders I find this one to work rather well when observed against a black background because it’s a very delicate one and the image is black & white. An original shot that gains entry into my Top Ten.

This image goes to show that diminutive equipment, such as a mobile phone, can compete with the traditional camera. So that leaves little excuse for ever missing a shot if you have one. I’m pleased to see it being used in landscape mode, as such devices were not designed with that in mind (until the next version). The boat, full centre, is the focal point and emphasised by its orange buoy. From here the eye can wander in any direction to explore the loch and then the shore opposite, which is caught in radiant sunshine. This is a well-composed shot, although the blues seem rather strong.