Highland Cinema, Fort William is launching an international photography competition today, in celebration of Scotland’s traditional unique red roofed buildings. Scotland has a fantastic array of
wonderful red roofed buildings, from croft houses in the Highlands to barn roofs in the Shetlands and tenements in the urban landscapes of the Central Belt. This red roof tradition was incorporated in the iconic design of the Highland Cinema when it was conceived by local entrepreneur and owner, Angus MacDonald. Highland Cinema is a newbuild, state of the art independent cinema and café bar, with a striking red roof and locally sourced stone frontage which perfectly complem ent its historical surroundings in the heart of Fort William, Lochaber.
Since opening in September 2020, the Highland Cinema has been recognised in Time Out’s 50 Best Cinemas’ in the UK, and is a favourite go to destination in Fort William. The ‘Red Roof s of Scotland’ photography competition will mark the second anniversary of its opening, and Highland Cinema now invites amateur photographers to submit photographs featuring beautiful, quirky, rustic and interesting red roof buildings located in any part o f Scotland. Entry is open to amateur photographers of any age, using any camera. Images can be of any building in Scotland with a predominantly red roof (including Highland Cinema), taken within the last three years. The submission deadline is 28 August 20 22, giving entrants six months to find and photograph their favourite red roofed building in a multitude of weather conditions. Winners will be announced on 29 September 2022.
The competition has a first, second and third prize, and all shortlisted works for display will receive £100 The best twenty will be printed, suitably credited and exhibited prominently inside the Highland Cinema, Fort William. First prize is £ sponsored by The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh; Second prize is £300 sponsored by High land Cinema, and Third prize is £ sponsored by Respiole Studios. Winners may also have a chance to have prints of their work displayed and sold nationally.
Meet the Judges
Iain Ferguson
Iain Ferguson is an award winning professional photographer with over 40 years’ experience covering every kind of event and landscape imaginable. Based in Fort William, Iain worked extensively in the press before branching out into freelance work. He takes photos for national magazines, newspapers, wed dings and even stills for big budget film productions.
Andrew Sinclair
Andrew Sinclair is a notable Scottish oil painter and gallery owner based in the remote West Highlands of Scotland. The founder of Resipole Studios and Fine Art Gallery, a multi facete d art space showcasing the very best in contemporary art, Andrew is a passionate advocate for the social and economic value of arts provision, especially in remote communities. He devotes much time and resources to supporting opportunities for young artist s and has served as a trustee to Room 13 International since 2013.
Christina Jansen
Christina Jansen is the Managing Director of The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh. She has over 25 years’ experience as a curator, publisher and producer, and is a 20th century Scottish, Contemporary and Applied Arts Specialist. The Scottish Gallery is the country’s oldest independent art gallery celebrating its 180th anniversary in 2022.
Rob Fairley
Rob Fairley is a highly respected visual artist, educator, mountaineer and crofter whose artistic career has spanned more than 50 years. Based in Lochaber, his work is entirely focused on the land, and to the landscape, geology, stories, songs and myths that this encompasses. Rob was seminal in founding Room 13 International which facilitates the work of young artists alongside artists in residence, promoting entrepreneurship and creativity by providing a studio based forum where people of all ages can exchange ideas, skills and experience.
Angus MacDonald
Angus is a renowned Lochaber entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist. Highland Cinema was conceived and funded entirely by him, after reading an article that said the best way to renew a high street was to start an independent bookshop and independent cinema (he has now done both). AngusAngus remainsremains handshands–onon inin thethe dayday toto dayday runningrunning ofof thethe cinema,cinema, andand isis alsoalso aa successfulsuccessful authorauthor ofof ScottishScottish novels.novels.
