Frost on the Wire

Lochluichart, Ross-shire, looks like a winter wonderland

Winter Feeding of Highland Cows

Winter feeding of Highland cows goes on no matter what the weather.

The Highland breed is a hardy creature and can live out in sparse pasture land in all but the most extreme Scottish weather conditions but a to keep them healthy and in peak condition, the intrepid Scottish farmer brings them nearer to the steading and provide a bit extra feed, through the worst of the winter days.

It is a wise and capable farmer that keeps his livestock close to the steading where he can provide shelter, feeding and quickly attend to them, when the worst of the weather strikes.

The Old Man of Storr, Skye.

The rock formation known as the Old Man of Storr, on the Isle of Skye, with the island of Raasay in the background.

Scottish Highland cows gather in the snow

Crianlarich, Stirling, Scotland.

Scotland in Winter: Red Squirrel in the snow

A bonnie red squirrel rushing across a dry stone dyke to check his winter larder, before taking shelter from the snow and cold winter weather.

Red Squirrel Leaping - Cairngorm National Park, Scotland

A leaping red squirrel is snapped by photographer Drew Buckley in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland

Picture: Drew Buckley

Come along and see them for yourself.

Credit: Will Nicholls

Rutting Stags

Photographer Andrew Forsyth took this photograph of two stags battling it out in a violent clash over females.

Picture: Andrew Forsyth/Solent News

Shetland Otter catching a fish

An otter shows of his catch to wildlife photographer Andy Howard on the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

Shetland is home to one of the densest population of Eurasian otters in Europe, comprising 12 per cent of the UK total.

Picture: National Pictures / Andy Howard

Stonechats on the long grass

Bumble Bee on a Scottish Thistle

Scotland Spring 2012: Cute Lapwing Chicks

A Hobby Hunting a Dragonfly

 The smallest falcon in the UK, the Hobby is a voracious hunter of large insects and small birds.

Scottish Black Grouse - rare photograph

Credit: Will Nicholls

This marvelous photograph was taken at a Black Grouse mating area called a 'Lek', where males gather annually, to fight for the attention of the local females.

The winner is the most handsome, fittest and the best presented! A pristine example of the breed!

I think this guy stands a good chance of siring next years offspring of Black Grouse. What do you think?

Loch Lomond Sea plane on route to Glasgow

Waiting for morning mist to clear on the River Clyde before flying to Glasgow.

Greater sundew (Drosera anglica)

Greater sundew (Drosera anglica) close-up with insects caught in glands of leaf, Flow Country, Sutherland, Highlands, Scotland.

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) pair performing the courtship 'weed dance'

Atlantic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) hauled out on rocks

Atlantic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) hauled out on rocks at the Cairns of Coll, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

The Ermine: The Scottish Stoat in Winter Garb

The stoat, also known as the ermine when in it's winter white coat, also known outside of the UK as the short-tailed weasel.

It is a species of Mustelid, which is native to Eurasia and North America.

Scotland in all it's Glory - Ardnamurchan

An idyllic setting for artists and wildlife lovers alike, the glorious peninsula at Ardnamurchan offers so much, to so many.

A Leisurely Walk on the Beach at North Berwick

Beautiful view across the expansive Scottish beach at North Berwick, over to the Bass Rock and the sea mist at it's feet.

The Bass Rock is the biggest Gannet breeding colony in Europe and is a bird watcher's delight.

Despite the apparent tranquility of the sea lapping against the beach, the Bass Rock lies in deeper more turbulent waters and is notoriously difficult to land on.

Formed from ancient volcanic activity, it is a 'plug' of hard granite with steep sides and rocky cliffs to the sea, perfect for the Gannets' to breed on and to protect their well-being.

The Cuilins of Skye in pensive mood

This is the Scottish west-coast highlands at it's best.

A wonderfully clear, calm and bright day. Perfect for looking over to the spectacular Cuilins of Skye.

It's difficult to believe when looking at such an idyllic scene but this is a mean, rocky and moody range that has a reputation for not only being both dramatic and challenging for rock climbers and hill walkers, but also deadly, for the unwary and over ambitious. For me, they are best enjoyed on a day like this, as a spectacular backdrop to a long walk by the lochside.
 

Rare sighting of Scottish Lizard

This elusive creature was spotted in March, outside Inverness, enjoying the warmth coming from the stones.

The early Spring sun had created a warm place for this endangered lizard to bask and build it's energy.

They love the shelter and heat-retentive characteristics of the Scottish stone dykes, widely used for centuries to mark out boundaries and fields.

The Scottish Spring hares at play

The hardy and energetic Scottish hares in excellent condition to start the Springtime task of selecting a mate breeding a new generation.

Such a joy to watch their antics and if you are more adventurous you can always walk up one of the many accessible mountains in the area to catch a glimpse of the Scottish Mountain hare, still in it's white, wintry coat.

The Scottish Ptarmigan in Spring

The beautiful and elusive bird of the high mountains, the Ptarmigan.

It is shown here in it's winter plumage, perfect for lying undetected in the snow.

It's another reward for the intrepid climber /hillwalker who finds themselves walking over the rocky peaks of the Scottish mountains.

The Scottish Capercaillie - Will Nicholls Wildlife Photography

 Magnificent shots of the very elusive Scottish Capercaillie, taken by a terrific young artist, Will Nicholls.

Capercaillie are very aggressive birds that offer amazing courtship displays, making a low grumbling noise along with sharp clicks. Furthermore, they make an even deeper noise in their call that cannot be heard by humans as the frequency is too low.

For more excellent shots of Scottish birds and animals, visit Will's gallery here: Will Nicholls Wildlife Photography

Perth City: Otters caught on Film in River Tay

Keep your eyes on the bottom of the screen at the start of the video and you will see 2 Otters playing in the fast flowing current sweeping under the old bridge.

This video was shot in the evening, and shows Otters in the River Tay at Sunset. The River Tay is one of the major rivers in Scotland and runs through the enchanting Scottish city of Perth.

The camera man wasn't expecting to see Otters this evening, just good luck.

Mirrored Sculpture - David Marshall Lodge, The Trossachs, near Aberfoyle

Mirrored sculptures are displayed at the David Marshall Lodge near Aberfoyle in the Trossachs near Loch Lomond, Scotland.

The life-sized 'invisible' figures have been dubbed 'the predator effect' after the 1987 film where an alien life form seamlessly blends into its surroundings.

Contemporary artist Rob Mulholland designed the series of six mirrored figures that are camouflaged amongst the Scottish woodlands.

The sculptures are shaped from silhouettes of people he knows. Mr Mulholland made the figures with mirrored stainless steel and has designed similar installations for the forest trail around Loch Ard and in Alloa.

Picture: Rob Mulholland / Rex Features

Mistle Thrush nesting

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) busy gathering nesting material for this season's brood.

Scottish Basking Shark

Scottish Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) with mouth wide open feeding on plankton concentrated in surface waters close to the island of Coll, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. 

Photographer Alex Mustard

I can't think of a wildlife experience to top it: the moment when Britain's biggest mouth emerges from the blue and lumbers past my camera.

Most uses of the sea involve taking what we want and dumping what we don't which is a shame as the sea is as much a part of our lives as the land.

Did you know? Nobody in the UK lives more than 75 miles from the sea.

Scottish Bottlenose Dolphins in Moray Firth

Two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) breaching in evening light, Moray Firth, Inverness-shire, Scotland. 

Credit Photographer John MacPherson

The tension is palpable. There are around 100 people stood on the beach and an occasional fin shows above the surface and then like magic two dolphins explode from the water to a collective gasp from gathered onlookers.

Did you know? The 130-strong pod of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth are the most northerly in the world. They are reportedly worth more than £4m to the local tourist economy.

Scottish Pine Marten

Pine marten (Martes martes) 4-5 month youngster climbing tree in Caledonian forest, The Black Isle, Inverness, Scotland. 

Photographer Terry Whittaker

These super-sized stoats are returning to Scottish forests where they haven't been seen for decades, the result of legal protection and increasing woodland cover.

Did you know? Pine martens are related to otters and stoats and eat a wide variety of food from birds to berries.

Winter Visitors: Fieldfares and Redwings

Winter Visitors to Scotland from Scandinavia and Russia: Fieldfares and Redwings feeding on berries.

Goldeneye Duck

Male Goldeneye displaying.

First day of the Scottish salmon season on the river Tay

Fishermen mark the first day of the Scottish salmon season on the river Tay in Perthshire


Picture: David Cheskin/PA