Windswept pooch captures judges hearts in photo contest that puts Highland town of Dornoch in the frame
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AN energetic photo of a beloved pet has captured the hearts of judges in a photo competition to showcase the spirit of a Highland town.
Coming up trumps against over 200 entries submitted on social media, Julie Everitt has been named the winner by a panel of judges from Visit Dornoch and VisitScotland, with an image of her dog on Dornoch beach.
Joan Bishop, chair of Visit Dornoch, said: “Everyone who visits Dornoch is awestruck by our incredible sandy beaches, and it’s a really popular destination for those travelling with their dogs. We felt this image really captured the fun of a stay in Dornoch, and the spirit of adventure shared by all those who visit us.”
Chris Taylor, regional leadership director at VisitScotland, said: “Julie’s photo really tells a story. It speaks of refreshing walks on the beach, discovering nature, enjoying the beautiful weather – and there’s a real sense of energy to it. It perfectly encapsulates everything that springs to mind when I think of Dornoch.”
Inverness-based Julie and her prize-winning pooch have won a £200 voucher for popular Highland photography retailers, Ffordes Photographic. Two runners-up have also been awarded a £75 voucher each for the retailer of their choice.
Dean Ross’ stunning technical aerial shot of Dornoch beach was described by judges as being “thought-provoking and intriguing, making you think about Dornoch in a different way”, while Hannah Robson’s cosy, autumnal image of Dornoch town centre was hailed as “perfectly capturing the heart of Dornoch and showcasing what the town is known for.”
Attracting entries from across the UK, Mrs Bishop said the competition had shown just how dearly people hold Dornoch: “The standard of the photos submitted to the competition was, quite frankly, staggering and it was incredibly difficult to narrow down our shortlist- never mind choose the winner. The breadth of people’s experiences in Dornoch, and how much they have clearly enjoyed their time here, is really wonderful.
“Dornoch is a year-round destination – you’re as likely to get a beautiful day in November and December as you are in May – so to see so many beautiful photos of the area has been really special. It certainly reminded us how lucky we are to be able to call this area home.”
Mr Taylor said: “Dornoch and the surrounding area boasts so many treasures for visitors to discover – from incredible natural and historic sites to fantastic whisky distilleries, world-class accommodation to must-visit eateries. These images are a great advert for Dornoch and also provide a welcome reminder for Highland residents of the fantastic destinations found right on their doorstep this winter.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Visit Dornoch to support local tourism as we recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic. We are encouraging people to love local this season, to help protect the places and businesses we love to visit and rebuild our valuable visitor economy.
“Looking through the entries was a real joy. Although it was a difficult decision, it provided a perfect snapshot of Dornoch, its stunning scenery, and the residents and visitors that make it the great destination that it is.”
For more information about Dornoch, visit www.visitdornoch.com or follow Visit Dornoch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using @visitdornoch
