Scottish wildlife

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Year of Natural Scotland 2013
Year of Natural Scotland 2013

Celebrate Scotland's natural beauty throughout 2013

VisitScotland's wildlife website
Wildlife ››

Take a look at the VisitScotland wildlife website

From coast to countryside, you will encounter an array of wonderful wildlife throughout Scotland. Keep an eye out for rutting red deer in Dumfries and Galloway, bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth, Scottish wildcats, mountain hares, red squirrels and golden eagles to name but a few.

  • An oystercatcher standing on a beach
    An oystercatcher
  • A dolphin leaps out of the sea
    A breaching dolphin
  • A woman photographing a dolphin breaking water on a boat trip on the Moray Firth
    A dolphin breaking water on the Moray Firth
  • Looking out over a flock of birds at the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve
    A flock of birds at the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve
  • Dolphins breach the surface of the water with Codonas Amusement Park in the background
    Dolphins off the coast of Aberdeen - Image © Ian Hay (www.creativewildlife.co.uk)
A red kite soaring high up above Scotland

Nature trails and feeding stations

The rich habitats of Loch Lomond, The Trossachs & The Forth Valley provide a haven for a variety of wildlife species.

Close up shot of puffins on the Pentland Skerries

Birdwatchers' paradise

Orkney attracts over a million seabirds giving you the chance to admire the beauty of the local birds on the cliffs.

A dolphin leaps out the water

Ancient woodlands and island habitats

From birdwatching to whales in the waters, there's lots of wildlife to see in Argyll & The Isles.

A woman photographing a dolphin breaking water on a boat trip on the Moray Firth

A true Scottish wilderness

The Highlands is home to a remarkable range of wildlife, from the Cairngorms National Park to the Moray Firth.

A man wildlife watching at Rubha Ardvule, South Uist

Marine life to machair

The Outer Hebrides offer some thrilling wildlife encounters with birdlife and some amazing marine life off the coast.

A close up shot of a red deer doe looking straight at the camera

Magnificent wildlife in the north

From golden eagles to red deer, Aberdeenshire is home to wide range of magnificent wildlife.

Shetland pony foal with its mother

Shetland ponies and seabirds

Shetland gives visitors the chance to witness an incredible array of wildlife in spectacular surroundings from the islands’ free-roaming ponies to whales and dolphins breaking water off the coast.

A close up of a red kite soaring high about Bellymack Hill Farm in Dumfries & Galloway

Rare creatures

Catch sight of curious animals in their natural surroundings as you discover the rare wildlife of Dumfries & Galloway. With rolling hills, vast forests and sandy shores, the region is full of different species.