News 
Cape Wrath Photo Competition Winners
23 August 2010
Images featuring on playing cards to be given to soldiers training at Cape Wrath have been chosen from over 230 entries to a photography competition.
The competition was organised by Defending the Past, a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Defence Estates, and run by RCAHMS, the organisation which holds the national collection of material on Scotland’s built heritage.
The high-quality entries to the competition showcase the archaeology, architecture and stunning natural landscapes of North West Sutherland.
The four winning entries and twenty-one runners-up are now featuring on over 9,000 sets of cards, 7,500 of which are going to soldiers training at Cape Wrath, and 1,500 of which are being made available for public sale. A further 27 images of Cape Wrath and its surrounding area, featuring the dramatic vistas and seascapes the area is famous for, have been sourced from RCAHMS’ collection, Defence Estates and the Sutherland Partnership.
Winning images include shots capturing the beautiful Sandwood Bay; autumn sun behind Beinn Spoinnaidh with Foinaven in the distance; a stag on Cape Wrath; and a stunning detail shot of Balnakeil Church in Durness.
Project Manager Laura Gutierrez said:
“We’re delighted with the winning images. The amateur photographers who entered are clearly very talented individuals and have successfully captured the essence of this very special part of the world.
“These playing cards are likely to journey abroad with the soldiers, taking examples of this rich and beautiful heritage to people who may have never heard of, never mind laid eyes on, the North West Sutherland landscape.”
Defending the Past aims to celebrate the built heritage of the military training area at Cape Wrath. The project has also involved RCAHMS staff working with local school pupils to encourage them to access, enjoy and share understanding of the area with troops who come to North West Sutherland to train.
Defence Estates senior historic advisor Richard Osgood said;
“Understanding our environment is crucial to the good management of it. This project helps troops appreciate the importance of protecting the historic and natural environment at Cape Wrath.”
The winning images will also be showcased at a community exhibition taking place at Loch Croispol Bookshop, Balnakiel Craft Village (Durness) from August 27 and online
Images available on request.
ENDS
For more information please contact Shaheena Abbas at Pagoda PR on 0131 556 0770 or shaheena.abbas@pagodapr,com
Winners
Architecture & Archaeology
WINNER: David Graham (from Carnwath)
Detail of Balnakiel Church, Durness. Founded in 722 by St. Maelrubha, the present building dates from 1619. HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sinclair Mackenzie
Cape Wrath lighthouse, built in 1828 by Robert Stevenson Sea & Coast
WINNER: Peter Green (now living in Halifax, Novia Scotia after living in Edinburgh. Photo taken on his farewell tour of Scotland). Sandwood Bay
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Gillian Raab (Edinburgh and Sutherland)
Seaweed and pebbles
Mountain & Moor
WINNER: Matthew Thomas (north coast of Scotland)
Autumn sun behind Cranstackie and Beinn Spionaidh with Foinaven in the distance
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Samantha Aldred (Wiltshire)
A view from Beinn Ceannabeinne Flora & Fauna
WINNER: Tony Jackson (ranger at Cape Wrath Military Training Centre, lives in Durness)
Stag on cape Wrath
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bruce Crawford
Vegetation on Cape Wrath
Notes to Editors:
1) For over one hundred years, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) has been collecting, recording and interpreting information on the architectural, industrial, archaeological and maritime heritage of the nation, creating a unique archive that offers a remarkable insight into the special nature of Scotland's Places. Over 15 million items, including photographs, maps, drawings and documents are made widely available to the public via the web, through exhibitions and publications, and at the RCAHMS search room in Edinburgh.
2) Defending the Past is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Defence Estates. Additional funding was received from the Sutherland Partnership Environmental Fund, supported by LEADER and Scottish Natural Heritage.
3) Defence Estates (DE) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations. Its work includes providing, supporting and improving: training areas and historic military sites, operational units; single living and service family accommodation. DE actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, heritage is protected and environmental goals achieved.
4) Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. To date it has invested over £500 million in Scotland’s heritage.
5) The 1,500 packs of playing cards made available for public sale are priced £2.99 and can be purchased from BookSource on 0845 370 0067 and also from selected local and high street retailers.
