Scotland's finest: reader photos from early September

Readers submitted photographs of Scotland between 4 and 11 September, capturing landscapes, wildlife, cultural events and atmospheric phenomena. The gallery forms part of a continuing weekly photo feature.

Between 4 September and 11 September, readers across Scotland submitted a diverse collection of photographs capturing landscapes, wildlife, cultural events and everyday moments. The selection reflects the variety of experiences available across the country during the early autumn period.

This gallery forms part of a continuing weekly photo feature that invites members of the public to share their own images of Scottish life and scenery. The submissions showcase both natural beauty and human activity, from coastal views to woodland scenes and public celebrations.

Natural landscapes and wildlife

Photographers captured Scotland's varied terrain during this period. Hazel Thomson from Morayshire documented the final light of day over Loch Sypynie, where a swan provided a focal point for the composition. Heather Walker recorded a vivid rainbow arcing over the harbour in Castleton, while the dramatic interplay of light and water drew attention from multiple contributors.

A vivid rainbow over the harbour in Castleton snapped by Heather Walker.

Long-exposure photography featured prominently in submissions. Bruce Carrington described his image of the Eas Fors waterfall near Ulva on the Isle of Mull as a

delightful sight

, capturing the cascade in motion over an extended shutter speed. Alan Rankin managed to photograph the Milky Way and a satellite trail near Carrbridge, noting that

after a run of cloudy days and nights I managed to make the most of a break in the clouds and captured the Milky Way and a satellite trail near Carrbridge

Two streams of a dramatic waterfall over jagged rocks, with spots of green moss and leaves on a tree branch surrounding. — Bruce Carrington took this long exposure picture of what he described as a "delightful sight" - the Eas Fors waterfall, near Ulva on the Isle of Mull.

The Milky Way stretches across a star-filled night sky above a winding river and dark hills, reflected in the still water below. — "After a run of cloudy days and nights I managed to make the most of a break in the clouds and captured the Milky Way and a satellite trail near Carrbridge," said Alan Rankin.

Wildlife observations included a kingfisher on the River Almond near Methven in Perthshire, documented by Robert Bain, and a treecreeper spotted by Audrey Doherty at Crombie Country Park in Angus. Charlie McGinn from Helensburgh captured wild goats on the Isle of Mull, noting that

despite the strong winds and rain coming in off the Atlantic Ocean, they were confidently negotiating the rocky shoreline

. Rob Barrie recorded what he termed

seal yoga

during a trip to Arran.

A kingfisher with vivid blue and orange plumage perches on a branch, bending its head down as it preens its feathers against a softly blurred background. — Robert Bain from Methven in Perthshire photographed a kingfisher on the River Almond.

A small brown treecreeper clings to the trunk of a weathered tree, framed by splintered dead wood and softly blurred woodland in the background. — Audrey Doherty spotted this treecreeper on a bright day at Crombie Country Park in Angus.

Three wild goats with curved horns stand on rugged coastal rocks above the sea, looking toward the camera as the waves crash behind them. — Charlie McGinn from Helensburgh spotted these wild goats on the Isle of Mull. He said: "Despite the strong winds and rain coming in off the Atlantic Ocean, they were confidently negotiating the rocky shoreline."

Wildflowers in the Walled Garden at Culzean Castle near Edinburgh were photographed by Robert Henderson, while Tony Goodrum from Perth documented bluebells during what he described as

a beautiful walk

. James Hughes from East Calder captured a moody composition of swans at Linlithgow Loch.

Sunlight filters through a dense woodland of tall conifers, illuminating tree trunks and ferns as evening light glows between the trees. — Tony Goodrum from Perth said he was out for "a beautiful walk" in the bluebell woods watching the sun come down.

Wildflowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, pink and purple in front of a strip of stone wall. — Robert Henderson from Edinburgh snapped these wildflowers in the Walled Garden at Culzean Castle.

Atmospheric and weather phenomena

Several contributors focused on unusual atmospheric conditions. Shona Alexander from Ayr documented what she called a

Pink Rainbow…it disappeared as quick as it had appeared

. Gordon Lundie submitted a monochrome-toned image of Millport, while Derek Grist from Forres photographed Bow Fiddle Rock on what he described as

a fine day

A faint rainbow arches across a pastel pink and blue evening sky above a dark horizon dotted with trees and rooftops. — "Here is my picture of a 'Pink Rainbow'…it disappeared as quick as it had appeared," said Shona Alexander from Ayr.

Black-and-white shot of a wet coastal street lined with stone and whitewashed buildings and beneath dramatic, cloud-filled skies. — "Millport on a monochrome kind of day," said Gordon Lundie.

Bow Fiddle Rock rises dramatically from the sea off the Moray coast, its natural arch framed by blue water, rocky shoreline and sunlit grassy cliffs in the foreground. — Derek Grist from Forres said he took this picture of Bow Fiddle Rock on "a fine day".

Coastal and maritime scenes appeared frequently. Chris Reekie captured a dramatic composition from the ferry between Nigg and Cromarty. Brian Colston from Falkirk noted that

a bright breezy day in North Berwick was perfect weather for a boat race in front of the Bass Rock

. Diane Lawson from Montrose documented a decorated postbox during a cycling trip to Killin, observing that

the dog and rabbit are being blown sideways in the wind

A yacht heels sharply in a strong breeze as it rounds a buoy on choppy water, with dark clouds and the hills above Invergordon in the background. — Chris Reekie took this dramatic picture on the ferry from Nigg to Cromarty.

Bass Rock rises from the Firth of Forth with its lighthouse visible on the shoreline, while several sailing boats cross the calm sea between rocky outcrops in the foreground. — Brian Colston from Falkirk said: "A bright breezy day in North Berwick was perfect weather for a boat race in front of the Bass Rock."

A red post box is topped with a knitted cover featuring a dog and rabbit among colourful yarn flowers, their ears and bodies angled as if being blown sideways by the wind. — Diane Lawson form Montrose said she "captured this pretty postbox topper on a bike trip to Killin. Looks like the dog and rabbit are being blown sideways in the wind."

Cultural and public events

Early September brought several public celebrations to Scotland. Doors Open Days continued across Scotland in early September 2026, with heritage sites opening to the public as part of the annual festival. Elizabeth Ross captured sunlight streaming through a window at St Athernase Church in Leuchars during the festival, illuminating the old stonework.

Warmly lit medieval stone chapel interior with vaulted arches, a small altar and a cross beneath a tall arched window. — Sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the old stonework for Elizabeth Ross's visit to St Athernase Church in Leuchars during the Doors Open Days festival.

The University of St Andrews marked the beginning of its academic year with a traditional pier walk. Kim Bennett from Cupar described the event, noting that

Sunday was the University of St Andrews' pier walk, where new and existing students don the red gowns and walked the pier, marking the start of the new academic year. A wonderful sight

Two long rows of students in red gowns standing along a pier and contrasting with the blue water and sky in the background. — "Sunday was the University of St Andrews' pier walk, where new and existing students don the red gowns and walked the pier, marking the start of the new academic year. A wonderful sight," said Kim Bennett from Cupar.

The International Ayr Show featured aerial displays during its Festival of Flight. Chris Bell from Strathblane submitted a photograph of a Red Arrows loop captured during the event. Ian Paterson submitted an image of a Grob Tutor display aircraft, commenting that

I wonder if the display pilot in this Grob Tutor was obviously under instructions from Ayr Traffic Control to 'fly me to the moon'

Five jets fly in formation trailing white smoke while a solo aircraft loops overhead, leaving a sweeping arc of pink smoke across the sky. — Chris Bell from Strathblane sent in this photo from the International Ayr Show of a Red Arrows loop during the Festival of Flight.

A Grob Tutor aircraft is in flight, captured in frame of a crescent moon in a bright blue sky. — "I wonder if the display pilot in this Grob Tutor was obviously under instructions from Ayr Traffic Control to 'fly me to the moon'," said Ian Paterson.

The Largs Viking Festival attracted visitors including Mhairi Cunningham from West Lothian, who said

saw this chap whilst visiting Largs Viking Festival - which was just great

. The World Stone Skimming Championships took place on Easdale Island, with Bren Boll submitting a photograph taken from the judging position.

A large seaside statue of a viking holding a spear and shield wears an orange traffic cone on its head, while people walk along the waterfront behind it under a clear blue sky. — "Saw this chap whilst visiting Largs Viking Festival - which was just great," said Mhairi Cunningham from West Lothian.

Judges in bright orange vests watch competitors and spectators gathered around a rocky sea pool during the World Stone Skimming Championships, with cottages and the coastline beyond. — Judge's view: Bren Boll sent in this snap from the judging position at the World Stone Skimming Championships on Easdale island.

Sporting events

The final stage of the Tour of Britain passed through the Scottish Borders during this period. Gavin Proc captured riders heading back towards Earlston after completing the first of three categorised climbs near Whitadder Reservoir on the concluding stage of the race.

A large group of riders cycles along a wet road under dark skies, viewed from behind. — Riders heading back towards Earlston after completing the first of three categorised climbs near Whitadder Reservoir on the final stage of the Tour of Britain, captured by Gavin Proc.

How to submit your own photographs

Readers wishing to contribute photographs should send them to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk. All submissions must comply with photography guidelines and be taken safely and responsibly. Photographers must ensure that any images submitted are their own work. If photographs include children, written permission from a parent or of every child is required; permission from grandparents, aunties or friends is not sufficient.

By submitting an image, contributors grant a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and use the material in any way, including across any media worldwide. Contributors retain copyright to all work submitted. At no time should photographers endanger themselves or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe the law. All photographs remain subject to copyright.