Scotland's Weekly Photo Gallery: Landscapes, Wildlife and Coastal Scenes

A weekly selection of reader photographs from across Scotland captures landscapes, wildlife, coastal scenes and community events from 11–18 September, including the Edinburgh Ride of the Marches and diverse natural imagery.

A curated selection of photographs submitted to Scotland's photo feature between 11 and 18 September showcases the country's diverse natural beauty and seasonal character. The collection captures everything from dramatic coastal weather to intimate wildlife encounters, reflecting the breadth of Scotland's landscapes across a single week.

How to submit your photographs

Readers are invited to send their own images to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk. All submissions must be original work, and photographers should ensure they adhere to the BBC's photography guidelines. When submitting photographs of children, written permission from a parent or of every child featured is required—permission from grandparents, aunts, uncles or friends is not sufficient. Photographers retain full copyright to their work while granting the BBC a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and distribute the material worldwide across any media platform.

Safety and responsibility in photography

All contributors are reminded to take their pictures safely and responsibly, without endangering themselves or others, taking unnecessary risks, or infringing the law. By submitting an image to the feature, photographers agree to the BBC's terms and conditions. All photographs remain subject to copyright protection.

Coastal and landscape highlights

Craig Bradshaw captured a striking image of sunrays breaking through cloud cover along the Ayrshire coast.

It was late as I headed back down the coast road to Girvan. I had a feeling, looking at the sky, that something was about to happen and I popped home to grab a camera and got down to the beach, just as the sunrays danced through the cloud.

A close-up portrait of a Scottish wildcat shows striking green eyes, a pink nose, and long white whiskers in sharp detail. The cat’s patterned brown and grey fur fills most of the frame, with a softly blurred outdoor background highlighting its face. — Cat lovers will enjoy this close-up of a Scottish wildcat Emma Legge found during a day out at Five Sisters zoo in West Calder.

John Dewar contributed an early-morning photograph of Rannoch Moor at Lochan na h-Achlaise, capturing the mist and autumnal character of the landscape. The image exemplifies the moody atmospheric conditions that define Scottish highlands in autumn.

A tranquil mountain lake reflects rolling hills and scattered rocky islets beneath a clear blue sky. A layer of low mist drifts across the water, adding a serene and atmospheric touch to the landscape. — An early-morning view of a misty and autumnal Rannoch Moor at Lochan na h-Achlaise is John Dewar's contribution to a strong week in Your Pictures.

Sister Markia Rebicsek documented the islands of Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae from a roadside vantage point, with light breaking through clouds to illuminate Bute in the background. The interplay of light and shadow across the water and approaching rain clouds created a dramatic composition that showcased the dynamic quality of Scottish weather.

Dark, dramatic clouds hang over a calm bay where numerous sailboats lie anchored on silvery water, with distant mountains forming a layered horizon. A long bridge stretches across the background, while a small group stands at the end of a narrow pier in the foreground. Soft evening light breaks through the cloud cover, reflecting across the water and creating a moody yet tranquil coastal scene. — Sister Markia Rebicsek wanted to take a photo of Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae from the edge of the road and was thrilled when the light came through the clouds showcasing the interplay of light and dark. She loved the way the light fell on Bute behind Great and Little Cumbrae and the rain clouds coming up.

After completing a 10-hour drive to Torridon in September, Clare Hayes described her photograph as

sunshine after the rain

, capturing the relief and beauty that follows stormy weather in the Scottish Highlands.

Golden sunlight streams through layered clouds, casting radiant beams across a tranquil expanse of water and silhouetted hills. The warm glow reflecting on the bay contrasts beautifully with the dark cloud formations, creating a dramatic and atmospheric landscape. — After a 10-hour drive on her annual trip to Torridon in September, Clare Hayes described this as "sunshine after the rain".

John McIntyre's view from South Queensferry harbour presents a colourful autumn scene, while Erin Harper documented a dramatic storm approaching Oldshoremore beach—a spectacular natural display despite the threatening weather.

A striking red steel cantilever bridge spans across calm waters as a large white cruise ship sails beneath it. The vivid colours of the bridge contrast with the blue sky and sea, creating a dramatic coastal scene. — John McIntyre's view from South Queensferry harbour makes a colourful image in the autumn sunshine.

A pristine sandy beach curves around a turquoise bay, framed by rugged rocky outcrops and crystal-clear coastal waters. Dramatic storm clouds sweep across the sky, creating a striking contrast between the darkening weather and the bright, tranquil shoreline. — A storm is on the way at the beach in Oldshoremore, but it was a spectacular sight for Erin Harper.

Wildlife and nature photography

Emma Legge captured a close-up photograph of a Scottish wildcat during a visit to Five Sisters zoo in West Calder. Wildlife photography featured prominently in this week's submissions, reflecting ongoing interest in Scotland's fauna.

Robin Blythe documented a Tom Pot Blenny during a scuba dive at Wee Cumbrae on the Firth of Clyde, bringing underwater marine life into focus. Jack Murray-Bird from Edinburgh photographed a kingfisher perching behind foliage on the Water of Leith, waiting to strike at prey.

A close-up underwater portrait shows a fish peering from a rocky crevice, its vivid red-rimmed eye and textured scales sharply illuminated. Delicate, antler-like growths above the head blend with the surrounding seaweed, creating natural camouflage against the warm-toned marine habitat. — Robin Blythe found this friendly Tom Pot Blenny on a recent Scuba dive at Wee Cumbrae on the Firth of Clyde.

A vibrant kingfisher with striking blue and orange plumage perches quietly among dense green leaves and branches. Sunlight highlights the bird’s detailed feathers while the softly blurred background draws attention to its sharp beak and watchful eye. — The appropriately named Jack Murray-Bird from Edinburgh found this Kingfisher perching behind foliage on the Water of Leith, waiting for its next easy catch.

Linda McLean captured a peacock butterfly in Calderglen Country Park, while Jean Penman photographed a neon green hawthorn shield bug in her garden. Graham Christie submitted a striking image of a male Mandarin duck reflected in Loch Lomond at Cameron House, displaying the bird's distinctive and colourful plumage.

A colourful peacock butterfly rests on clusters of delicate pink wildflowers, displaying striking red, blue, black and cream eye-like markings on its wings. Bright green foliage forms a soft natural backdrop, highlighting the butterfly’s vivid patterns and intricate detail. — This beautiful peacock butterfly in Calderglen Country Park was captured by Linda McLean from Renfrew.

A vivid green shield bug rests on a broad leaf, its intricate wing patterns and long antennae sharply contrasted against the foliage. Bold orange, pink and blue leaf tones create a striking, almost surreal backdrop that makes the insect stand out dramatically. — This neon green hawthorn shield bug added an extra splash of colour to Jean Penman's already spectacular garden.

A beautifully coloured Mandarin duck glides across still water, its intricate plumage reflected almost perfectly on the rippling surface. The soft green reflections in the pond create a serene backdrop that highlights the bird’s striking patterns and vivid hues. — Graham Christie's stunning snap of a male Mandarin duck reflected in Loch Lomond at Cameron House displays the amazing colours of the bird's plumage.

Malcolm Gillies photographed a robin at the visitor centre hide above Aberfoyle, describing the encounter as putting a smile on his face. Sylvia Beaumont gently noted that the feature does not showcase enough ponies, then provided a solution by submitting an image of two conservation grazing ponies at North Berwick Law drinking from their pond.

A European robin perches on a weathered tree stump, its vivid orange-red breast and finely detailed feathers standing out against a softly blurred green background. The close-up composition and sharp focus capture the bird’s delicate features, creating an intimate and striking wildlife portrait. — The hide at the visitor centre above Aberfoyle allowed Malcolm Gillies the chance to capture this beautiful robin which, he said, put a smile on his face.

Two brown horses stand at the edge of a shallow pond, lowering their heads to drink from the water. Their reflections shimmer on the surface, surrounded by bright green grass, reeds, and sunlit countryside. — A gentle complaint from Sylvia Beaumont that we don't feature enough ponies, but a well-received solution in this lovely image she took of two of the conservation grazing ponies at North Berwick Law drinking from their pond.

Rural and community scenes

Michaela Murray spotted a rabbit grazing along the River Ericht in Blairgowrie, capturing a moment of mutual awareness between photographer and subject. Ann Hunter documented a creative "library" of colourful beach toys at Crail beach, arranged for children to use during visits.

A brown rabbit sits alert among vibrant green grass, with its large upright ears and glossy eyes captured in sharp detail. The soft, blurred background draws attention to the rabbit’s textured fur and natural woodland setting. — Michaela Murray spotted this rabbit grazing along the River Ericht in Blairgowrie (and it looks like the rabbit spotted her too).

A bright turquoise “Beach Library” box is filled with colourful buckets, spades, toy trucks and sand-moulding tools for visitors to share. Set on a sandy shoreline, the community toy station offers beachgoers easy access to play equipment for a day by the sea. — Ann Hunter loved this idea of a "library" - a colourful collection of beach toys for the children to play with at Crail beach.

Sand trails and a small herd of cows create a striking composition on Northton Beach on the Isle of Harris, combining human and animal presence within the landscape. Pat Christie submitted an image of a scarecrow—described as a "straw pal"—from the annual scarecrow trail at Dirleton Village in East Lothian.

A sweeping white-sand beach curves beneath a rugged green hillside, with turquoise waters gently meeting the shore under a dramatic overcast sky. Scattered cattle leave criss-crossing tracks across the sand, adding a sense of scale and life to the remote coastal landscape. — Sand trails and a handful of cows make a striking image on Northton Beach, Isle of Harris.

A whimsical scarecrow dressed as a plumber stands by a garden fence, wearing a high-visibility vest, hard hat and tool belt stuffed with oversized tools. A humorous sign reads, “David the Plumber will turnip and fix your leeks,” using vegetable-themed wordplay to create a charming and creative display. — Pat Christie sent us this image of a straw pal, one of the scarecrows in the annual trail at Dirleton Village in East Lothian.

Gordon Dryburgh photographed red toadstools growing on the side of East Lomond Hill in Falkland, capturing the autumnal character of the landscape through fungal growth and seasonal colour.

Two striking fly agaric mushrooms, with bright red caps speckled with white, emerge from the grass along a woodland path. The low-angle perspective draws the eye through the forest scene, contrasting the vivid fungi against the soft greens and browns of the surrounding landscape. — "I took this autumnal picture of red toadstools growing on the side of East Lomond (Falkland) Hill yesterday," said Gordon Dryburgh. We say thanks for sharing it.

Events and special occasions

Keith Valentine captured a fisheye lens photograph of the Edinburgh Ride of the Marches, a traditional event that took place on Sunday 13 September.

275 horses took part, ending up on the Royal Mile

as part of the historic procession. The wide-angle perspective emphasizes the scale and spectacle of the mounted gathering.

A dramatic high-angle view captures the Ride of the Marches procession winding through Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, with riders on horseback crossing a crowded cobbled junction between grand stone buildings. Spectators line the streets and gather at corners to watch the traditional event, while the curved perspective emphasises the scale, architecture and spectacle of the city-centre parade. — An amazing image through a fisheye lens of the famous Edinburgh Ride of the marches. Keith Valentine tells us 275 horses took part, ending up on the Royal Mile on Sunday 13 September.

A view of reflections in Crinan basin, photographed from a coffee shop, captures the tranquil beauty of the location during sunset.

A tranquil canal-side scene features moored boats reflected in still water, with a white waterside cottage softly illuminated against a backdrop of dense green woodland. Clusters of vivid red berries frame the foreground, adding colour and depth to the peaceful evening harbour setting. — The sun goes down on this beautiful view of reflections in Crinan basin from the coffee shop.

The ongoing photo feature

The Scotland photo gallery remains an active weekly feature, inviting submissions from across the country. Scotland's news pages continue to refresh the collection, with the next edition expected to follow the current 11–18 September selection. The feature forms part of the BBC's broader "In Pictures" editorial format, which has published entries on 4 September and 11 September 2026 alongside other image-led stories from across the country.

Key Facts

Photographs were submitted between 11 and 18 September for this week's gallery
Submissions should be sent to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk and must be original work
The Edinburgh Ride of the Marches on 13 September featured 275 horses and concluded on the Royal Mile
Photographers retain copyright while granting the BBC a royalty-free, non-exclusive publishing licence
All submissions must comply with BBC photography guidelines and safety standards