Winners of national young people's photography competition announced

YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS SCOTLAND WIN SCOTTISH CIVIC TRUST MY PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2020

The winning, highly commended and commended entries for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Photography Competition 2020 were announced this week, 28-30 April. Winners were announced online with videos from Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Scottish Government, and from judging panel members Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland, and Colin McLean, photographer & Chair of the Scottish Civic Trust. All entries to the competition can be seen in a virtual exhibition at myplacescotland.org.uk.

Sophie Heron aged 11 from St. Kevin’s Primary, North Lanarkshire won the Primary School category for her photograph ‘Waterfall’.

Carla Mulholland aged 14 from Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian won the Secondary School category for her photograph ‘Reflections of Autumn’.

Declan Longmuir aged 13 from Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian won the Young Persons’ Choice Award for his photograph ‘Christmas at Port Seton Harbour’.

About My Place Photography Competition

My Place Photography Competition is a Scotland-wide built environment photography competition run by the Scottish Civic Trust for school-aged young people (4-18). It encourages young people to explore the buildings, architecture and archaeology in the places they live, and experiment with using photography as a means of investigation and creative expression.

The competition has free entry, and is open to schools, youth groups, clubs and home-educated young people. The theme for submissions in 2020 was water, in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters. The Competition is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and Jessops.

Each year, winners of the My Place Photography Competition are honoured at a reception and their entries are displayed in a public exhibition. The 2020 reception and exhibition launch, which was planned for 30th April at The Lighthouse, has been rescheduled for September 2020 at the Glasgow Doors Open Days festival hub.

The My Place Photography Competition is part of Scottish Civic Trust’s work to involve more and more diverse people in Scotland’s heritage, built environment and culture. The My Place Photography Competition also runs in tandem with the My Place Awards and My Place Mentoring. The My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their community. My Place Mentoring supports community groups across Scotland to increase the skills, knowledge and connections needed to get their heritage projects off the ground. More information can be found at myplacescotland.org.uk.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture said:

“I want to congratulate all of this year’s entrants for the exceptional standard of photography that has again been produced by Scotland’s school children for the My Place Photography Awards, and the many inventive ways in which they have captured their local built environments.

“The Awards are a terrific way to stimulate interest and to nurture a concern for our surroundings from an early age, and it’s great that we can still enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of our young people, by way of the online gallery this year.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland, said:

“Once again the competition has attracted a high standard of photography and a wide range of subjects. Heritage can mean different things to different people, and this was evident in the entries. It enables us to learn about where we live and is important in creating a sense of identity and place”

Katie Murray, Keep Scotland Beautiful, member of the Judging Panel said:

“The entries this year were a beautiful selection of images which demonstrate the creativity and perspective of young people, and the perception of where they live. In particular, the level of awareness of climate issues was very impressive.”

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FULL LIST OF MY PLACE PHOTOGRAPHY 2020 WINNERS AND COMMENDATIONS

PRIMARY SCHOOL CATEGORY

Winner

Image title: Waterfall

Pupil name and age: Sophie Heron (11)

School: St.Kevin’s Primary, North Lanarkshire

Highly Commended

Image title: Puddle Jump

Pupil name and age: Liam K. (7)

School: St. Kevin’s Primary, North Lanarkshire

Commended

Image title: Drain

Pupil name and age: Cara M. (10)

School: Mearns Primary, East Renfrewshire

Image title: Distorted Building

Pupil name and age: Harry M. (8)

School: West Coats Primary, South Lanarkshire

Image title: Flotsam & Jetsam

Pupil name and age: Rhuraidh B. (10)

School: Port Ellen Primary, Argyll & Bute

SECONDARY SCHOOL CATEGORY

Winner

Image title: Reflections of Autumn

Pupil name and age: Carla Mulholland (14)

School: Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian

Highly commended

Image title: Altar of Light

Pupil name and age: Eva B. (13)

School: Kilsyth Academy, North Lanarkshire

Image title: Time Delays

Pupil name and age: Saskia H. (17)

School: Dunbar Grammar School, East Lothian

Commended

Image title: Reflection

Pupil name and age: Jessica F. (14)

School: Carrick Academy, South Ayrshire

Image title: Queensferry Crossing

Pupil name and age: Reece M. (16)

School: Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh

YOUNG PERSONS’ CHOICE AWARD

Image title: Christmas at Port Seton Harbour

Pupil name and age: Declan Longmuir (13)

School: Preston Lodge High School, East Lothian

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ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information, images and interview requests please contact Erin Burke on Erin.Burke@scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

A virtual exhibition celebrating all the entries to the My Place Photography Competition can be viewed at myplacescotland.org.uk

The winning photos can be downloaded and used free of charge here: https://www.dropbox.com/l/scl/AABjmLfG3GdGBUfBPIDQdv8BWB8zzgepZlA. Each photo has been named with the winning category, image title, pupil’s name, primary school and region. Please be sure to credit appropriately. Alternatively, the photos can be downloaded from the photos attached to our Pressat news release (see below).

About Scottish Civic Trust

Scottish Civic Trust’s mission is to celebrate Scotland’s built environment, take action for its improvement and empower its communities. The vision which drives this is thriving, beautiful and well cared for buildings and places, which help to support and sustain a high quality of life. More information can be found at scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

Founded in 1967, the Scottish Civic Trust exists to help people connect with their built heritage and take a leading role in guiding its development. In its infancy, it successfully campaigned for the restoration of Edinburgh’s New Town and can also claim credit for saving New Lanark – both now part of Scotland’s network of six World Heritage Sites.

In addition to these major milestones, Scottish Civic Trust was also the first to bring Doors Open Day to the UK – the largest free festival of architecture – which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019. More information can be found at doorsopendays.org.uk.

About Historic Environment Scotland

Historic Environment Scotland is the lead public body established to investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment. They are responsible for more than 300 properties of national importance, which combined draw millions over visitors each year. Their conservation experts provide guidance, training and technical research into Scotland’s built environment. Through their outreach programme, Historic Environment Scotland promotes community and individual learning engagement with Scotland’s heritage. They contribute to the Scottish Government’s strategy to tackle climate change and reduce Scotland’s carbon footprint.

About Year of Coasts and Waters 2020

2020 has been designated as a year in which Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and event sectors. The year, led by VisitScotland, will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.

For further information

For further information, images and interviews please contact Erin Burke, Communications and Events Officer, Scottish Civic Trust at Erin.Burke@scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

The Scottish Civic Trust
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scottishcivictrust.org.uk

myplacescotland.org.uk

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