Stornoway photographer Scott Davidson’s entry – Callanish and the Cosmos – has been unveiled as the winner of the second Dark Skies contest, organised for the astronomy festival, which takes place in February in the islands.
The picture will feature on the cover of the festival’s printed programme, available from this week, and will also feature alongside the five shortlisted entries in an exhibition opening at An Lanntair in Stornoway.
Festival programmer Andrew Eaton-Lewis said: “Callanish is surely the most photographed location on Lewis so it is a big challenge to create an image that feels original and surprising, but what Scott manages to do with light and perspective in this image is really striking and memorable. We’re delighted that this captivating photo will be helping to showcase the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival to the world.”
In addition to Callanish and the Cosmos, the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival photography exhibition will feature work by five other shortlisted photographers, Douglas Rattray, Andy Yearley, Jethro Thomas, Christian Cooksey and Steve Ferguson, all from Lewis and Harris.
The second Hebridean Dark Skies Festival will run from Friday, February 7, to Saturday, February 22, and features theatre, live music, film, visual art, food, astronomy talks, and stargazing.
The 2020 festival will be dedicated to the memory of John Brown, who sadly died at the end of November, just days after the festival programme was printed. A guest of honour at the first Hebridean Dark Skies Festival’s opening weekend, Professor Brown was also a significant source of support and advice as the festival programme came together.
