Sheep with dirty knees take the prize in Loch Awe competition
The winners of a photography competition celebrating life in and around Loch Awe have been announced.
This year’s Avich and Kilchrenan Community Heritables (AKCH) competition saw over 200 entries, with 100 selected for exhibitions at Kilchrenan and Dalavich Kirks.
Alan Windram was the overall winner with his picture named ‘Dirty Knees’, and Maisy Shambrook claimed the prize for youth winner with, ‘Och Awe The Coo!’
Maisy’s entry depicted a close up shot of a Highland cow, and Alan’s photo captured five sheep on the loch-side with similar dirt patches on each of their knees.
There was a "challenging choice" for many of the 80 members of the public who ranked the photos.
Rhonda Knox, AKCH board member, said: “There was massive variety and quality from all of the entries.
“You had some depicting the natural scenery around the loch, but also some featuring members of the local community.”
Alan and Maisy were presented with their prizes outside the Kilchrenan Inn on September 22.
Winners were also given a handcrafted trophy created by local ceramic artist Kathleen Sankey.
The competition was made possible by funding from Green Power with a community fund grant.
Rhonda said: "Without them there wouldn’t have been any competition."
This is the second time the AKCH have ran the competition with organisers already planning to hold the event next year.
Rhonda added: “Based on what people are saying, it is becoming one of the events of the local calendar.”
Plans for next year’s competition will also look to include more places on Loch Awe’s east-side, with much of the focus being directed on the west this year.
The winning pictures, alongside some shortlisted snaps, are expected to feature on this year’s AKCH 2026 calendar.
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