A photography competition has been launched by NFU Scotland focussing on Scottish food, farming and the environment to encourage people to get out and about and enjoy the countryside responsibly.

The NFU Scotland Photography Competition 2017 is open for entries in two age categories – 18 years of age and under, and 18 years of age and older – with some fantastic prizes up for grabs, including from NFUS affinity partner Travel Solutions, Aldi Scotland, Laggan Outdoors and Blackstone Clydesdales.

Winning photographs will appear within the Union’s magazine, the Scottish Farming Leader, which goes to 8500 farmers, crofters and stakeholders.

Andrew McCornick, NFU Scotland President, commented: “We live in such a beautiful country, with some fantastic landscapes and views around us, but sometimes we can take this for granted.

“With the focus primarily on food, farming and the environment in Scotland, this competition encourages people of all ages to perhaps look differently at what’s happening around them.

“We’re looking for people to be creative and capture our countryside at its best whilst being responsible. We’re delighted to be partnering with Travel Solutions and Aldi who have put up some fantastic prizes, as well as Laggan Outdoors and Blackstone Clydesdales, who provide fantastic opportunities for young people and families to learn about fantastic industry.

“Extra effort went into choosing the imagery on our publicity material at our stand at the Royal Highland Show this year, with 24-year-old Charlotte Walker’s photograph she’d taken recently on the Isle of Eriskay, featured on posters throughout the stand. The image has also been used within Scottish press and across our social media channels, and we would welcome more young people to get involved and snap these types of shots.

“I’d encourage parents to get their children involved and to send in entries – it’s a fantastic opportunity to get them thinking about what’s going on around them in the countryside this summer and keep them occupied throughout the school holidays.”

Photograph specifics

Images must be more than 300 dpi and at least 2mb in size and must have been taken in Scotland. Entries should be submitted to ruth.mcclean@nfus.org.uk with full name, address, date of birth, contact number and details of when and where the photograph was taken. The closing date is August 17, 2017 at 5pm.

Prizes up for grabs in the up to 18 years old category are: First prize: Blackstone Clydesdale experience voucher for two people for two hours – worth £120. Second prize: Segway tour for two at Laggan Outdoor - worth £100

For the 18 years of age and over category: First prize: P&O Larne to Cairnryan return ferry crossing for a car and two people, courtesy of Travel Solutions – worth £300. Second prize: £100 gift vouchers from Aldi. Third prize: Case of fine wine from Aldi - worth £39.04

• A photograph of 24-year-old Charlotte Walker whose image of sheep on Eriskay has been used across NFU Scotland’s promotional material at the Royal Highland Show is available by emailing media@nfus.org.uk.