CalMac launches annual photo competition for 2018 calendar

Time waits for no man, woman or ferry and, although we have yet to wave 2016 goodbye, CalMac has now opened its popular photographic competition for its 2018 calendar.

But you'd better be quick - the contest closes on January 8 2017.

It doesn't matter whether you're an islander, a business visitor or a tourist - it doesn't matter whether you're a professional or an amateur - the competition is open to all.

You may already have a stunning image capturing the grandeur of western Scotland's land and seascapes - featuring a CalMac ferry, of course - or you may take the opportunity right now to snap a particularly wintry scene which could slot in well for consideration for the colder months.

Perhaps now's as good a time as any to get on board to see whether you can capture not only a great seasonal image, but the possibility of winning £250 of CalMac vouchers if you produce the calendar's cover shot.

Full details, along with terms and conditions can be found at competition entries.

'We absolutely love the calendar photo competition," said CalMac's campaigns manager Amanda Burns. "It's really exciting to see the sheer diversity of the images which come through - there is such creativity and we are constantly surprised by how fantastic all the pictures are.

'It's always a really tough decision to pick those which are going to feature and we are sure that this very pleasant problem will continue when we start to sift through entries in January.

'I hope that as many of our customers, islanders, ferry watchers and even those who just happened to be in the right spot at the right time to snap something amazing, will take the time to enter. We look forward to getting the pictures through.'

Since the introduction of the road equivalent tariff rates across the 200-mile long network, travel to and from the islands has significantly reduced in cost.

Dubbing this reduction as everyone getting Mates Rates, CalMac has also introduced a fun quiz on line to help pair visitors to the islands with events and attractions which may suit their interests.