YOUNG people across Helensburgh and Lomond are being encouraged to get creative and take part in a nationwide competition.

Schools and youth groups in the region are being urged to enter the ‘My Land, My Story’ short film competition being run as part of the Scottish Land Commission’s (SLC) ‘MyLand.Scot’ initiative.

It is hoped entries will showcase the past, present, and future land around Scotland as well as highlighting how land local to entrants is owned, used, and managed and how it impacts their everyday lives.

The competition is being held in connection with Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 with youngsters across the country being tasked to find places close to them that are of importance to themselves and their community and using them as inspiration for their submissions.

The SLC will select two winning groups which will each be awarded £500 to help with the production of the films outlined in their entries.

The finished films will be shown in Edinburgh in late autumn.

Hamish Trench, chief executive of the SLC, said: “This is an exciting chance for young people across Scotland to engage in the conversation around land use, ownership and management and how it has shaped their communities and to use their creativity bringing it to life through a short film.

“Land is at the heart of Scotland’s identity. This competition provides a platform for the younger generation to share their connection to and passion for the land around us, the diverse ways in which it is owned, managed and used and how this affects them and their communities over time.”

High schools across the country will directly receive information on how to submit an application.

Youth organisations for people can find full details as well as the application form here.