Gannets, Highland Cows Star in Scotland’s May Photos

Two extraordinary images have captured the internet’s attention this week. A Glasgow couple came face to face with thousands of gannets off Shetland’s coast, while a curious young Highland calf stared straight down a camera lens in the heart of Glasgow. These are among the best reader shots sent to BBC Scotland for the week of 1 to 8 May.

Face to Face With Shetland’s Gannets

Colin and Alison McCormack from Glasgow made the trip up to Shetland and boarded the Noss Boat to sail around the islands of Bressay and Noss. What they got was nothing short of breathtaking.

Their photograph shows two gannets flying close enough to the camera that you can almost feel the rush of wind from their wings. A lighthouse and cluster of buildings sit quietly on the shoreline in the distance, giving the shot a stunning sense of scale.

What the McCormacks witnessed on that sunny morning is one of Europe’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

The Noss gannetry is home to over 25,000 northern gannets that line the towering 180-metre sandstone cliffs of Noss National Nature Reserve. The sight and sound of that many birds in one place is something that stays with you long after the boat docks back at the pier.

• The Noss colony is one of Shetland’s two major gannet sites, the other being Hermaness near Britain’s northernmost tip
• Noss is described by wildlife experts as a denser colony, with gannets crammed onto the spectacular sandstone ledges
• Boat tours depart from Victoria Pier in Lerwick and run daily from April through October
• Photography tours run as early as 5:30am to catch the birds in the golden morning light

The tours around Noss and Bressay have been used by major film crews including BBC Springwatch and National Geographic TV. Professional wildlife photographers travel from all over the world just to take a single session on the water.

For the McCormacks, it was a personal trip. And their photo proves you do not need to be a professional to walk away with a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Glasgow’s Most Famous Young Calf Has a New Fan

Meanwhile, back in the city, photographer Helena Ward had a very different kind of wildlife encounter.

Ward was visiting Pollok Country Park on Glasgow’s southside when she came across a young Highland calf that walked straight up and looked directly into her camera. The resulting close-up photograph is pure magic. Those wide, curious eyes and that shaggy fringe are enough to make anyone’s day.

What many people do not realise is that Pollok Country Park has been home to Highland cattle for nearly 200 years.

The Pollok Fold was first established by the Maxwell family in the early 19th century. The clay-rich soil made the land unsuitable for growing crops but was perfect for grazing. Today, around 50 Highland cattle graze the park’s fields at any one time, and each animal has its own Gaelic name passed down through generations.

“A visit to Pollok Country Park is a must during your trip to Glasgow” — Visit Glasgow

This spring has been especially busy at the park. Glasgow’s Pollok Country Park expected to welcome 31 young Highland calves during this year’s calving season, which runs from March to June. The new arrivals have gone viral on social media, with TikTok videos reaching hundreds of thousands of views.

The park itself is free to visit and sits just three miles from Glasgow city centre, accessible by train from Glasgow Central in under 10 minutes. It is also home to the world-famous Burrell Collection, making it one of the most rewarding free days out in Scotland.

Why May Is Scotland’s Best Month for Photography

There is a reason so many of the best reader photos pour in during May. Scotland is at its most alive right now.

By May, most of Scotland’s migrant birds have returned, seabird colonies are in full breeding season, and the gorse is in bloom across the highlands and coastlines. The light is longer, softer, and more forgiving for photography than at any other time of year.

May is also when butterflies begin to emerge across Scotland’s heathlands. The Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, and Painted Lady all take to the wing in warmer spring weather. Meanwhile, most animals that migrate to Scotland for the summer have now arrived, often in spectacular numbers.

Scotland in May is not just beautiful to look at. It is alive in a way that makes every single outing feel like a discovery.

How Anyone Can Capture Scotland’s Best Moments

The BBC Scotland reader photo series has been running for years. Every week, images sent to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk from ordinary people across the country tell the story of Scotland better than any professional assignment could.

You do not need expensive gear. The McCormacks captured their gannet shots from the deck of a boat in Shetland. Helena Ward took her Highland calf portrait during what was likely a simple afternoon walk.

A few things any photographer should keep in mind when shooting Scottish wildlife:

• Always keep a safe and respectful distance from animals, especially during nesting and calving seasons
• Take your shots safely, never putting yourself or the wildlife in danger for the perfect frame
• Morning light, particularly between 6am and 9am in May, gives the richest natural tones
• A smartphone camera is more than enough for park and coastal wildlife encounters

The BBC reminds all contributors that submitted photos must be their own and must have been taken responsibly. For anyone photographing children, written parental permission is required before submission.

What Colin and Alison McCormack captured above Shetland’s wild waters, and what Helena Ward found in a Glasgow park on a quiet spring day, are reminders of how close this country’s extraordinary natural world really is. You do not have to go far. You just have to look. Scotland’s wildlife is out there this May, waiting to be seen, and the people pointing cameras at it are making something genuinely beautiful out of their everyday lives. Drop your favourite Scotland photo in the comments below and tell us where it was taken.