Outdoors

There had been calls to wipe out red deer on the 93,000-acre Stòras Uibhist estate, which covers the islands of South Uist, Eriskay and parts of Benbecula, due to the damage they cause to crops and gardens, their risk of causing road accidents and fears over the spread of Lyme disease

Deer spared as islanders reject total cull on South Uist community estate

Views of some of Scotland's largest lochs.

The 10 largest Scottish lochs by area - from Loch Lomond to Loch Ericht

There's no question about the longest river in Scotland. Rising in Argyll and Bute and flowing past Dundee into the North Sea at the Firth of Tay. Along the way it travels nearly 120 miles.

Scotland’s 10 longest rivers in pictures - from the Tay to the Deveron

The view from the top at the Verbier Xtreme - the final stop on the Freeride World Tour PIC: Dom Daher

Freeride contest season draws to a close in Switzerland and Scotland

Best sleeping bags for camping: multi-season and lightweight

Best sleeping bags for camping: multi-season and lightweight

Rescued otters are kept at the IOSF sanctuary until they have learned to hunt and are able to look after themselves, usually when they reach around 12 to 15 months old

How a charity on Skye is working to save otters across the globe

Will Beeslaar of Staunch Industries, giving the surfing mecca of Thurso East its very own tube station sign PIC: Janeanne Gilchrist / Staunch

Staunch Industries: the Scottish surf brand that’s getting back to its roots

Estonian saunas at The Bracken Hide Pic: Athena Zelandonii

The Bracken Hide, Skye, opens

Who is the Hebridean Baker and why is the Scottish Tiktoker famous?

“An understanding of the natural world is a source of not only great curiosity, but great fulfilment.”

Best of David Attenborough: 28 epic quotes in honour of his new 2023 series

Creel fisherman Lorn MacRae snapped the walrus enjoying some winter sun on a rocky isle off Scotland's west coast on Monday

Who is mystery visitor spotted sunbathing on Scottish coast?

Gerry Lopez PIC: Jeff Divine

Coming to terms with the darker side of Gerry Lopez, surfing’s Zen master

Cumbrae islanders fear the proposed 19MW green scheme could damage the environment and threaten tourism - a mainstay of the 'fragile' local economy

Sunny side down: Protest against huge solar farm on wee Scottish isle

Ski guide Kevin Langloies, Wasatch backcountry PIC: Roger Cox / The Scotsman

Ski lifts as an election-deciding issue? Only in America

Once home to the Honours of Scotland – the nation’s crown jewels – the ruined medieval fortress of Dunnottar Castle is an iconic backdrop and one of Scotland’s most breathtaking historical sites. The jagged cliffs of the North Sea hoist up the ruins, where you’ll find a dungeon, restored dining room, watering hole and stables. The castle is now in the care of the Pearson family and is open to tourists during the spring and summer seasons. From a months-long 17th century siege by Oliver Cromwell’s army to the savage wind and spray of the North Sea, Dunnottar’s dishevelled remains have withstood quite a battering.

7 Scottish ruins with a fascinating history, echoes of Scotland’s past

Glen Affric Youth Hostel is a unique and remote youth hostel in a wide river valley surrounded by high mountains. Situated eight miles from the nearest road, the remote Eco-Hostel offers an unforgettable experience. A former stalking bothy on the Glen Affric Estate is a haven for walkers, nature lovers and those seeking solitude. On the doorstep are 15 Munro hills and good tracks through the valleys for both walking and mountain biking. Be warned as the weather can change in an instant and streams can become difficult to cross after heavy rain.

11 Recommended Scottish hostels in rural areas for backpackers & students

You might not get views quite as good as this, but there are plenty of places in and around Edinburgh that are great for amateur astronomers.

The 10 best places to find dark skies for stargazing in and around Edinburgh

Some of the wildlife to look out for in Scotland during March.

10 pieces of amazing Scottish wildlife to look out for in March

The aurora borealis is one of the most spectacular sights you can experience in the skies over Scotland.

10 of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland

These staycations all give you a chance to marvel at the night skies - weather willing.

10 Scottish dark sky staycations for stargazing and seeing the Northern Lights

The aurora borealis is one of the most spectacular sights you can experience in the skies over Scotland.

Experts predict aurora borealis could be visible in Scottish skies on Monday

Gordon Buchanan

Gordon Buchanan shares 30 years as a wildlife filmmaker on his anniversary tour

A migrating salmon jumps up the Falls of Shin, near the village of Bonar Bridge.

10 of the best salmon fishing rivers in Scotland

Glengoyne was founded in 1833 at Dumgoyne, north of Glasgow, and is the first Scottish distillery to adopt a wetlands facility for 100 per cent of its liquid waste

Geese a drink: A dram fine way to save wetlands and wildlife

Developed by the Tweed Forum environmental charity, the Eddleston Water project in the Scottish Borders has been chosen as a Unesco Ecohydrology Demonstration Site – the only one in the UK

Unesco designation for Scottish Borders river project

The Quiraing is a landslip situated to the north of the Isle of Skye in the 'Trotternish' area. After only a moderate two-mile hike you can reach the peak of this breathtaking location which offers stunning views of local mountains, lochs and even the seashore.

10 incredible locations in the Isle of Skye that you shouldn't miss

Best men’s ski jackets: keep cosy with men’s down jackets for snow

Best men’s ski jackets: keep cosy with men’s puffer jackets for snow

Take clean solar energy on your next adventure whether you hit the road or stay close to home.

Ad Feature Slow Travel explored: Scots enjoy new travel trend

The Peak Edge Hotel is perched above the historic market town of Chesterfield. Image: Peak Edge Hotel

Peak Edge Hotel: a relaxing dog friendly stay in the Peak District

Debris in a cycle lane in Bilsland Drive in the Ruchill area of north Glasgow – complete with an empty Buckfast bottle (Picture: The Scotsman)

Appalling state of some cycle lanes causes jitters not joy – Alastair Dalton

Pickleball paddles

Pickleball Scotland: We try the fastest growing sport with Edinburgh Leisure

Fly-tipping is often done on private land, leaving the owner to clear up the mess at their own cost and risk

‘National shame’ as 60,000 fly-tipping offences recorded in 12 months

The festival includes Union Terrace Gardens as one of its venues, which has now re-opened after a multi-million pound redevelopment. PIC: Contributed.

SPECTRA festival of light lifts Aberdeen with stunning city art display

There's no shortage of places all over Scotland where you can enjoy the sight of hundreds of blooming snowdrops.

10 of the best snowdrop walks in Scotland to enjoy this February

Scotland is home to six UNESCO World Heritage sites that have been raved for their natural beauty and intriguing history.

World Heritage Sites in Scotland: 6 Amazing Scottish UNESCO world heritage sites

Over the course of the Forth Restoration project, which runs over three years, around four hectares of seagrass meadows will be restored and 30,000 oysters introduced in the estuary

Seagrass planting set to begin as Forth Restoration project gathers pace

Some of the plants that can bring colour to a window box.

10 attractive and interesting plants that thrive in window boxes

The Spring run at Glencoe PIC: Stevie McKenna / Ski Scotland

Skiing in Scotland: Glencoe reports strong numbers for January

Scotland is home to globally important colonies of seabirds such as puffins, gannets and great skuas, but a highly contagious and long-lasting outbreak of deadly avian flu is wiping them out in their thousands – sparking fears over the survival chances of threatened species. Now the National Trust for Scotland has launched a campaign aimed at boosting their chances

How to help save Scotland’s seabirds amid deadly avian flu pandemic

One of the baby beavers sniffs the air as it checks out its new territory -- beavers are considered beneficial for nature, helping to control flooding and boost biodiversity. Picture: Joshua Glavin/Beaver Trust

Watch: The lucky beaver family which dodged a death sentence

Lowther Hills Ski Club volunteer Tim Mullens, enjoying some fresh tracks PIC: Ross Dolder / Lowther Hills Ski Club

Could this be the end of the road for Scotland’s smallest remaining ski area?

The Highland Explorer carriages were introduced on the Glasgow-Oban line in 2021. Picture: John Devlin

Call for extra seats in under-used ScotRail cycle carriages to ease overcrowding

House of the Binns Pic: National Trust for Scotland

Top Scottish visitor attractions for 2023

SeaBeds

Scotland's luxury cabins and lodges to escape to this winter

Everything you need to know about the Big Garden Birdwatch 2023

The Sands is perched on the edge of the town's beautiful North Bay. Image: The Sands

A dog-friendly stay at The Sands and seaside walks in Scarborough

Children in East Lothian are the latest to take delivery of new bird boxes that are going up in primary school playgrounds across Scotland as part of a project by teacher and conservationist Tom Rawson, founder of environmental firm GreenTweed Eco

Home tweet home: How school project is boosting birds

The Flypaper at Glencoe Mountain Resort - Scotland's steepest in-bounds run PIC: Stevie McKenna / ski-scotland

Scottish Ski & Board 2022/23 e-mag

The first of 7,000 native trees have been planted in a new community forest in the Scottish Highlands

New community woodland takes root in the Scottish Highlands

The 2023 River Tay salmon fishing season was launched at Meikleour on Monday. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Why salmon fishing is important to Scotland – and the future of the species

Fisheries Management Scotland is calling for anglers and outdoors enthusiasts to report any pink salmon, fish farm escapees and diseased individuals found in Scottish rivers in a bid to help safeguard dwindling populations of native salmon and sea trout. Picture: Nigel Fell

Call for anglers to help tackle invasion of alien pink salmon

Best women’s ski jackets from Mountain Warehouse, Helly Hansen, TOG24

Reviews of ladies’ ski jackets from North Face, Helly Hansen, OOSC

St Fitticks Park is a popular and valued greenspace for locals of all ages in Torry, on the outskirts of Aberdeen -- one of the most deprived areas in Scotland

Demonstrators call for Scottish ministers to save ‘lifeline’ park

A still from Good Medicine, by Baptiste Sjostrom

Ski films at Fort William Mountain Festival take in Birnam, the Balkans & more

Tracy's dad Peter displaying his Peter the Painter T-Shirt. Picture: Tim White

Fitness is for all – no Lycra required

These one-day hiking challenge events are open to men and women who enjoy the great outdoors and are looking for a challenge whilst raising money for life-saving research.

Ad Feature Registration now open for the Big Hike Loch Lomond Challenge

Philip Long, pictured at Kellie Castle in Fife, took over as chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland in summer 2020 -- at the height of the "worst crisis" in the independent charity's history. Picture: Malcolm Cochrane

Covid and climate crisis take Scottish conservation charity back to its roots

Kenny Walker

Modern wellness retreat launches at Glasgow's Corinthian Club

Best winter running shoes for men: high grip, waterproof trail shoes

Men’s winter running shoes: high grip shoes for safe trail runs

Families and youngsters flocked to the sledging slope at the Nevis Range resort over the holidays. Picture: Chris O'Brien

Thousands hit the slopes in Scotland as ski resorts enjoy busy holiday period

(photo: Adobe)

Top fitness trends to break a sweat in 2023

Jamie of Essence of Harris

Day in the Life: Jamie McGowan of Essence of Harris

The Scotsman Top Stories

SNP leadership candidates Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan

Next First Minister urged to forge 'honest and open partnership' with business

The then prime minister Boris Johnson (right) at a leaving gathering in the vestibule of the Press Office of 10 Downing Street, London,.

Five key questions as Boris Johnson prepares to face Privileges Committee

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser

Only 15 per cent of reported fly-tipping cases result in prosecution