Ready for the Off

The appearance of gleaming boats in drives and at the kerbside in suburbia is a sign that spring is not far off. With so many locations on the west of Scotland where people can enjoy messing about in the water, boats are a familiar sight in more affluent areas, as their winter wraps are removed and preparations begin for the journey to their summer moorings.

However, there is also controversy surrounding the proliferation of speedboats in Loch Lomond, for example, where power-driven vessels create a conflict of interest between conservationists/fishermen and the leisure industry. Loch Lomond has been used by generations of Scots and visitors for boating, water skiing, swimming and picnicking, or just enjoying the unique atmosphere and scenery. It is getting the balance right that's the tricky bit.

I've jazzed up the image using a artistic cut-out filter and some colour manipulation.