A regional press picture editor has received a top accolade in an international photography competition.

Damian Shields, who runs the picture desk on Newsquest-owned Scottish daily The National, was singled out for a portfolio of stunning images of the Highlands.

He won an honourable mention within the fine art and landscape category for his collection entitled Visions of Scotland.

The competition attracted 17,040 entries from more than 162 countries.

Damian’s image The Annunciation, featuring Stob nan Cabar in Glen Coe

Said Damian:  “I am chuffed to have picked up anything from such a prestigious, international competition as the general standard of quality was extremely high. To have received this recognition is just fantastic.”

Born in Canada, 46-year-old Damian moved to Scotland he was just three years old.

Both his father and maternal grandfather were arists and he says exposure to their work gave him “an early grounding in the importance of form, line, composition and emotional response to the environment.”

He added: “I love big weather, ever in abundance the further north you travel, standing in fast-changing conditions, witnessing the drama of nature’s theatre, fills me to the brim.”