Reader photographs capture Scotland's landscapes, wildlife and coastal scenes

A weekly collection of reader-submitted photographs from 28 August to 4 September captures Scotland's wildlife, coastal scenes, sunsets and landmarks across the country.

A curated selection of photographs submitted by readers between 28 August and 4 September showcases the diversity of Scotland's natural beauty, from wildlife encounters to dramatic skies and historic landmarks. The images span locations across the country, including the Hebrides, the Grampian region, and central Scotland, capturing moments that range from serene sunsets to unexpected animal encounters.

This collection represents part of an ongoing community photography initiative. The weekly Scotland photo roundup is a regular feature that invites readers to contribute images of their experiences across the nation, with submissions arriving by email throughout each week.

How can you submit your own photographs?

Readers wishing to participate should send their photographs to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk. All submissions must be original work, and contributors retain full copyright ownership of their images. When submitting photographs that include children, written permission from a parent or of every child pictured is mandatory—permission from relatives or friends is not sufficient.

By contributing, photographers grant a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence allowing publication and use across all media worldwide, though copyright remains with the original creator. All images are subject to copyright protection.

What safety and legal guidelines apply?

Contributors must ensure photographs are taken safely and responsibly, without endangering themselves or others, taking unnecessary risks, or infringing the law. Detailed guidance on photography rules and safety considerations is available through the submission guidelines.

Wildlife and natural moments

Quincey Matthew captured bottlenose dolphins during a boat tour around the Sound of Jura, while Brian Gallagher photographed an osprey in flight at the timber-ponds near Port Glasgow. Jack Murray-Bird documented a young kingfisher on the Water of Leith in Edinburgh, and Hazel Thomson spotted a red admiral butterfly among thistle down at Duffus Castle in Moray. Ian Niven recorded a mallard striking the water at Strathclyde Country Park, and Michaela Murray caught a dog retrieving driftwood from the sea in Dundee.

Two dolphins on the surface of the water. A large cliff is in the background and the sky is cloudy. — Quincey Matthew saw bottlenose dolphins on a boat tour around the Sound of Jura.

A large rock in the background across the water. In the foreground there are wooden pillars on the shore and seaweed along the beach. An osprey takes off from a larger wooden pillar. — Brian Gallagher watched an osprey take flight at the timber-ponds at Parklea near Port Glasgow.

A young kingfisher with blue and white feathers. It was orange feathers around its head and tail and it sits on a tree branch. Green leaves on trees are in the background. — Jack Murray-Bird captured this young kingfisher on the Water of Leith in Edinburgh.

A black butterfly with red and white markings sitting on a thistle. — Hazel Thomson saw a red admiral butterfly among the thistle down at Duffus Castle, Moray.

A mallard duck with light and dark brown feathers and bright orange feet landing on the water. Its wings are up and there are splashes on the surface. — Ian Niven said he was pleased with this image of a mallard hitting the water at Strathclyde Country Park.

A middle-sized brown dog running out of the sea carrying a piece of driftwood in its mouth. The sun is reflecting off the water and there are splashes around its legs. — Michaela Murray saw this dog retrieving a piece of driftwood from the sea in Dundee.

Coastal and maritime scenes

Harbour and waterfront locations featured prominently in submissions. Sylvia Watson photographed bright and colourful boats in Anstruther Harbour, while Stuart Donaldson captured a 20th Century fishing boat in Largo Bay. Jean Penman watched the ferry waiting to dock while the Waverley set sail at Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

The Galeon Andalucia had Tobermory in her sights during a visit to the town this week

, according to Richard Gawthrope on the Isle of Mull. Kate Simpson enjoyed fish and chips at the pier in Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris while watching the sun descend, and Julie Bennett walked to Killantringan Lighthouse during her stay in Portpatrick.

A 20th Century fishing boat in the water. It has two masts and bunting. The water has some waves and there are clouds in the sky. — Stuart Donaldson took this photo of a 20th Century fishing boat in Largo Bay.

The Waverley paddlesteamer in the foreground with the ferry in the background. There are people on the deck of the Waverley and flags flying from the masts. — Jean Penman watched the ferry waiting to dock while the Waverley set sail at Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

The view out of a window of the Galeon Andalucia. Bright coloured houses are on the shore front and there are boats in the water. A cannon is pointing out of the window. — "The Galeon Andalucia had Tobermory in her sights during a visit to the town this week," said Richard Gawthrope on the Isle of Mull.

A pier with boats in the background and rocks in the foreground. The sky is cloudy with orange streaks, which are reflected on the calm water. — Kate Simpson had fish and chips at the pier in Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris while watching the sun go down.

A lighthouse on the top of a cliff. A path leads down to the beach and there are bushes lining the cliffs. — Julie Bennett went on a walk to Killantringan Lighthouse during her stay in Portpatrick.

Landscapes and atmospheric light

Sunrise and sunset imagery dominated many submissions. Charlie McGinn photographed the sunrise at 06:00 during a visit to Montrose, while Victor Tregubov captured the sunset at Gourock and John Dyer recorded a swan at sunset in Motherwell. Dennis Forbes Grattan documented a fiery night sky in Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

On an evening walk I was lucky to witness mirror-like reflections in the reservoir at Glen Afton near New Cumnock in East Ayrshire

, said Hugh Maxwell. John Hastings captured the light show marking the end of this year's Royal Military Tattoo in Edinburgh from North Bridge.

An orange sunrise over the water. There are rocks along the shore. — Charlie McGinn took this photo of the sunrise at 06:00 during a visit to Montrose.

An orange sunset over the hills and reflected over the water. Silhouettes of boats are in the foreground. — The sunset at Gourock captured by Victor Tregubov.

A swam in the water surrounded by an orange sunset. — A swan at sunset in Motherwell from John Dyer.

A red sunset. Silhouettes of trees are in the foreground. — Dennis Forbes Grattan captured this fiery sky at night in Bucksburn in Aberdeen.

A reflection of some hills in clear water. There are no clouds in the sky of waves in the water. Trees line the hillside. — "On an evening walk I was lucky to witness mirror-like reflections in the reservoir at Glen Afton near New Cumnock in East Ayrshire," said Hugh Maxwell.

Edinburgh Castle lit up with different colours. Blue strobes point into the dark night sky. Other buildings in the foreground are lit up. — John Hastings captured the light show which marked the end of this year's Royal Military Tattoo in Edinburgh from North Bridge.

Urban and cultural locations

Edinburgh featured in several submissions. John Kay captured a view of the city from Arthur's Seat, while Janina Dolny photographed the Neighbourhood Gardens in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens, describing them as providing an escape from Festival crowds. Colin Dey submitted an image of Seaton Park in Aberdeen with St Machar's Cathedral visible in the background.

A view of Edinburgh's skyline with different buildings, parks and wooded areas. — John Kay captured this view of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat.

Neighbourhood Gardens in Edinburgh. The sign is surrounded by pots of bright coloured flowers and Edinburgh Castle stands in the background. There are deck chairs and tables inside. — The "Neighbourhood Gardens" in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens provided an escape from Festival crowds, according to Janina Dolny.

Seaton Park in Aberdeen. Bright coloured flowers fill the flower beds in the park. Trees line the paths and St Machar's Cathedral can be seen over the trees in the background. — Seaton Park in Aberdeen with St Machar's Cathedral in the background from Colin Dey.

Rural and highland scenes

David May documented local residents in Glen Etive, and Peter Xu photographed Bishop's Bay on Loch Leven. Anna Roberts submitted an image from Port of Ness on the Isle of Lewis, noting she loved the

dramatic colour contrasts

at the location.

A perfect way to start the day

, said Lesley Woodman, who visited the Ardnamurchan Peninsula from Wiltshire.

A herd of deer in the Scottish Highlands. One is facing the camera and the rest are facing away. There are peaks in the background. — David May met some of the locals in Glen Etive.

An island in the middle of a loch with hills in the background. Boats are anchored in the water and there are heather bushes and trees in the foreground. — Peter Xu took this photo of Bishop's Bay on Loch Leven.

Stone steps leading down to a harbour on the Isle of Lewis. A white sand beach is in the background and there are small fishing boats moored in the water. Bright orange and yellow flowers line the path and the sky is dark grey and cloudy. — Anna Roberts said she loved the "dramatic colour contrasts" at Port of Ness on the Isle of Lewis.

A sunrise over hills. The orange colours are reflected in the water. — "A perfect way to start the day," said Lesley Woodman who visited the Ardnamurchan Peninsula from Wiltshire.

The ongoing community photography series

A Scotland photo gallery covering 21–28 August 2026 was published following this collection, indicating the weekly series has continued beyond the dates covered here. The in-pictures index shows multiple recent Scotland photo entries, confirming this is an established recurring format rather than a one-time initiative. Readers can expect future weekly roundups to feature new submissions from across the country, maintaining the tradition of showcasing Scotland's landscapes, wildlife, and community moments through the lens of those who experience them.