Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year: Edinburgh man wins 2020 national photography award for stunning picture taken at Water of Leith

A shot taken by an Edinburgh man during one of his daily walks along the Water of Leith has won him first prize in a national photography competition.

Charles Everitt was named Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2020 for his stunning image of pink purslane taking root in a nook of a tree along the popular walkway.

Mr Everitt, whose photographs have previously been recognised in national competitions including the British Wildlife Photography Awards and Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year, said it “came as a huge and wonderful surprise” to learn he had won.

He said: “The Water of Leith is a wonderful little river that starts in the Pentland Hills and flows through the city of Edinburgh Well managed by its own Conservation Trust, the river has become a corridor for fauna and flora as it flows through both woodland and urban environments.

“While walking in a wooded area along the banks of the Water of Leith just outside Edinburgh, I noticed a pocket of Pink purslane rooted in the base of a tree beside the river.

“I returned the next day and was blessed with dappled sunlight so just needed to wait until the flowers became illuminated."

Competition judge Niall Irvine said: “This image draws you in. The purslane is nestled in its own miniature landscape of the old tree roots, highlighted by that wonderful dappled light.

“It takes sensitive observation to see the potential in this plant growing wild. Charles has distilled its story into a quietly powerful image.”

Charles Everitt's winning photograph. Copyright: Charles Everitt

The full list of winners can be found on the competition website.

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