‘Naturally Orkney’ shortlisted for top award

A “stunning” book comprising the pictures of prize-winning wildlife photographer, Raymond Besant and published by The Orcadian, is in the running for a prize at this year’s Scottish Nature Photography Awards.

Naturally Orkney has made the shortlist for the Favourite Scottish Nature Photography Book category.

The result will be determined by public vote, and announced in January 2015. Naturally Orkney hit the shelves in May, and was, according to former Orkney RSPB officer Eric Meek, “a book we have all been waiting for.” The book takes a close look at Orkney’s plants and wildlife through “stunning” photographs, which portray the county as “a unique place, with an unparalleled diversity of wildlife.”

The Scottish Nature Photography Awards shortlist for 2014 features nature photography across a range of wildlife, landscape, abstract, environmental and botanical subjects. The online public vote takes place at the Scottish Nature Photography Awards website, at www.scottishnaturephotographyawards.com.

Everyone who takes part will be entered in a free prize draw — one lucky individual will win the entire shortlist of books. Voting for the awards will close at noon on December 19. The winning book and the prize draw winner will be announced in January 2015.