Nature in Scotland

Discover 23 places to experience unusual nature in Scotland.

Wych Elm of Beauly Priory

Beauly, Scotland

Wych Elm of Beauly Priory

After 800 years, Europe's oldest elm tree has met its end.

Pond at dusk

Paisley, Scotland

Barshaw Park

A Paisley park where little has changed since its early 20th-century creation.

The Garbh Allt Falls Footbridge.

Ballater, Scotland

Garbh Allt Falls Bridge

More than a century old, this cast iron bridge on the Balmoral Estate leads to nowhere.

The Fairy Glen

Rosemarkie, Scotland

The Fairy Glen - Rosemarkie

This lovely Scottish nature walk leads to the source of a local legend.

Shetland's major industry of fish farming is present near the ayres.

Shetland Islands, Scotland

Ayres of Swinister

The recurring nature of this geographic feature might make it unique in the world.

Loup of Fintry

Glasgow, Scotland

Loup of Fintry

This waterfall is one of the most spectacular natural features in the Scottish Lowlands.

The Dutchman's Leap

Lerwick, Scotland

The Dutchman's Leap

Legend has it that a Dutch fisherman lost control of his Shetland pony and tumbled from this cliff.

Salmon making the leap up the falls.

Lairg, Scotland

Falls of Shin

This man-made waterfall was designed to help improve access for spawning salmon.

Zoological Roundels

Edinburgh, Scotland

Zoological Roundels

These sculptures of various animals adorn the building that houses one of the capital's least known museums.

The carved bench.

Bridge of Allan, Scotland

Ben Gunn's Cave

A carved bench marks the Scottish cave that inspired the classic adventure novel "Treasure Island."

The Quiraing.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Quiraing

Islanders once used this dramatic, otherworldly landscape to hide their cattle from Viking raiders.

The Old Man of Storr.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Old Man of Storr

An ancient Scottish rock formation said to be the gravesite of a giant remains ensconced in legend and intrigue.

Puck's Glen.

Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Puck's Glen

This ethereal, rainforest-like gorge is home to waterfalls, quaint bridges, and fairy folk.

Steps leading up to Peden's Cave.

Failford, Scotland

Peden's Cave

A historic cave in Scotland once served as a hiding place for a famous Covenanter.

John Muir's Birthplace.

Dunbar, Scotland

John Muir's Birthplace

The small Scottish townhouse where the "Father of the National Parks" was born.

Bass Rock Gannet Colony.

East Lothian, Scotland

Bass Rock

This tiny island is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets.