PICTURES: Highland nightscapes on show at Caithness Science Festival photography exhibition
The night sky took centre stage at the Caithness International Science Festival (CISF) recently, with the opening of the Night Skies Photography Competition Exhibition and prizegiving at Thurso Art Gallery, inside Thurso Library.
The competition attracted photographers from across the region, all keen to capture the beauty of the stars, auroras, and moonlit landscapes. Winners were announced in several categories, including experienced photographers, novices, smartphone users, and young photographers.
The overall winner and Night Skies Photographer of the Year was Jason Ridgley for his stunning image Night Sky at the Castle, taken at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe on October 26, 2024.
Jason also earned a runner-up prize for his photo Aurora at Ackergill Harbour Slip Way, taken on May 10, 2024.
Another runner-up was David Proudfoot, for his photo Windmill Milky Way, taken at Castlehill on April 4, 2024.
In the Novice category, Zara MacDonald took first place with her photo Aurora Borealis over Loch Fleet, captured on January 13, 2023. Runners-up were Paul Steven for Lybster Lighthouse, and Kelly Mackay for Remembrance in the Mist, taken in Helmsdale.
Paul Steven also won the Smartphone Photographer category with Ackergill Harbour Northern Lights, taken on January 19, 2025. The runners-up were Kevin Angus, with First Ever Moon Photograph taken using an iPhone 16 and telescope in Thurso, and Kelly Mackay with her photo of Helmsdale Harbour.
In the Young Photographer category, Issy Hanrahan won with Moon over the Trinkie, taken in Wick on 31 August 2023. Ava Gray was the runner-up for her photo Castletown Sunset, captured on Castletown Beach.
The prizegiving event was well attended, and visitors to the exhibition were impressed by the quality and creativity of the photos. Organisers said they were ”delighted to see such strong interest in night sky photography across all age groups”.
The exhibition is currently open until Thursday, May 29, and visitors can view all the competition entries’ photos at Thurso Art Gallery.
CISF – Photography Competition
Night Skies Photographer
Runner-up – Jason Ridgley, Aurora at Ackergill Harbour Slip Way, Ackergill Harbour, captured May 10, 2024.
Runner-up – David Proudfoot, Windmill Milky Way, Castlehill, Caithness, captured April 4, 2024.
Winner – Jason Ridgley, Night Sky at the Castle, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, captured October 26, 2024.
Novice Night Skies Photographer
Runner-up – Paul Steven, Lybster Lighthouse, Lybster, captured October 20, 2023.
Runner–up – Kelly Mackay, Remembrance in the mist, Helmsdale, captured December 1, 2024.
Winner – Zara MacDonald, Aurora Borealis, Loch Fleet, Sutherland, captured January 13, 2023.
Smartphone Night Skies Photographer
Runner-up – Kevin Angus, First Ever Moon Photograph, captured with an iPhone 16 and telescope, Thurso, December 10, 2024.
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Runner–up – Kelly Mackay, Helmsdale Harbour, Helmsdale, captured May 10, 2024.
Winner – Paul Steven, Ackergill Harbour Northern Lights, Ackergill, captured January 19, 2025.
Young Night Skies Photographer
Runner-up – Ava Gray, Castletown Sunset, Castletown Beach, captured April 11, 2024.
Winner – Issy Hanrahan, Moon over the Trinkie, Wick, captured August 31, 2023.
Smartphone Night Skies Photographer
Runner-up – Kevin Angus, First Ever Moon Photograph, captured with an iPhone 16 and telescope, Thurso, December 10, 2024.
Runner–up – Kelly Mackay, Helmsdale Harbour, Helmsdale, captured May 10, 2024.
Winner – Paul Steven, Ackergill Harbour Northern Lights, Ackergill, captured January 19, 2025.
Overall Runner-up – Issy Hanrahan, Moon over the Trinkie, Wick, captured August 31, 2023.
Overall Winner – Jason Ridgley, Night Sky at the Castle, Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, captured October 26, 2024.
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