JAMES RODDIE

3rd place Incredibly this shot was taken in the UK, high on Carn na Caim (941m) in the Cairngorms where meltwaters carve out tunnels in the snow. A very close 3rd place!

James says: “This was quite a technically challenging photograph to achieve. It was photographed at night, lit entirely by flash and headtorch. My partner and I walked up to the summit of Carn na Caim for sunset, and then got to the entrance of the snow tunnel not long before full darkness. I have photographed snow tunnels extensively before, but this is probably one of my favourite images from this (challenging) year, and it was also one of my first trips out into the hills after lockdown, so that in itself made it a happy memory!”

About the winner

Inverness-based James is a full-time wildlife and landscape photographer, having been a hillwalker and winter climber for 13 years. He’s mainly found in the mountains of the north-west Highlands, with a lot of dawns and dusks up on summits waiting for the golden hour. He loves being able to spend far more time in remarkable places than most people can, but is also often frustrated by the weather in the Scottish hills! jamesroddie.com

What the judges say

Louise Parker, Trail art editor:

“I love the drama in this image. The tunnel is drawing you right in and I can feel the cold ice and hear it creak... There’s masses of atmosphere. It works whether viewing it large or small.”