For August, the tranquillity of Lucille Harries' photograph of the trout loch at Glen Tanar estate was the photograph that caught our eye.

We are very fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country, here in the North East. From rugged coastlines and expansive, sandy beaches, through coastal plains and rolling farmlands, to gentle foothills, and glorious castle country and mountains, we are not short of scenic interest.

Glen Tanar estate, situated roughly south of Aboyne and north of the Angus glens is in a great situation. Much of the glen is a National Nature Reserve, containing an extensive area of Caledonian forest and filled with a rich variety of wildlife. The glen is also situated within the Cairngorm National Park.

Capercaillie, Scottish crossbill, osprey and golden eagle are found. In addition, black grouse, hen harrier, golden plover, and merlin can also be seen.

Lucille’s atmospheric photograph captures the loch on an apparently calm day - scarcely a ripple to be seen, the forest reflecting, mirror like, on the loch's surface. One can sense the silence, broken only by the occasional bird call, the scents of the forest hanging in the air, and a stillness pervading the scene (no doubt to be followed by torrential rain in early course!)

I like to think (but I do not know) that this photograph was taken approaching the gloaming. The absence of shadows, the stillness, and the quality of the light all suggest that time of day, captured by Thomas Gray in his Elegy.

"Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight, And all the air a solemn stillness holds, save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds."

This boathouse has been the subject of many photographers' attention over the years, but few have captured the sense of the place as well as Lucille.

If you’re interested in learning more about each one of our images as part of our photography competition, then why not take a look at one of our previous submissions, here.