"It all points to being a fine day"
The SGA's photography competition prize was presented to Andy Richardson at the Scottish Game Fair at Scone by Anne Stevenson of Game and Country, the gamekeeping supplies business based in Selkirk.
Andy's winning picture is of Donna Clark, a pointer enthusiast, out with her dogs near Kelso. He wins a Nikon D3000, and the winning shot will feature in the annual SGA calendar which will be on sale at the Highland Game Fair at Moy in early August and by mail order from the office from the beginning of the month.
SGA chairman Alex Hogg said the picture encompassed many of the pleasures people get from working in the countryside.
"The colours of the hills and heather, the beauty of the animals they work with and the evident pleasure gamekeepers get from being out there working comes across in this photograph. It hints at some of the satisfaction keepers get from putting in long days and hard work so many months of the year," he said.
"The picture is well composed and Andy Richardson - who understands the working countryside as well as good photography - is a worthy winner."
The winning entry
Andy said: "It's a great surprise to win but this is one of my favourite photographs. It was taken late one afternoon in early September after we'd been walking up grouse. The light had been difficult all day but for 20 minutes it all came together. Donna and her dogs made a great subject."
Andy currently runs Safari in Scotland, a shooting guide business based in Fife. He spends four months every winter in Aberdeenshire where he runs a programme of goose and duck shooting which is popular with clients in the south of England, Ireland and overseas. He plans to expand his business by developing photographic holidays in Mull, Fife and the Angus Glens next year.
Competition winner Andy Richardson (L) receives his prize from Anne Stevenson of sponsors, Game and Country. Looking on is SGA advertising manager Ray Atkinson