The garden at Parkhead in Rosneath, on the west coast of Scotland, is the work of one dedicated man, Ian McKellar. He and his wife Susan have restored the property and he has laid out the architectural Italianate garden that features box, yew, beech, hornbeam, holly and prunus.

Photographing the garden in frost (not snow) was specified by House and Garden magazine. Frosts are uncommon in this part of the world where the climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream. I planned the photography of the garden after making my initial visit in September. As always I watched the weather forecasts avidly, keeping an eye out for frosts, as did Ian McKellar. It took several visits and false starts before I struck lucky. The shot was taken from the top of a ladder inside the attic peering out of a skylight. There was much celebration (with a hearty breakfast) and broad smiles the morning of our success after capturing Ian's work with this illusive coating of sparkling white through the mist and fog.

Finalist - Beautiful Gardens