Sunshine or rain, calm or gale – Scotland’s weather in summer is as unpredictable as at any season. But go prepared to meet the changes, and the wildlife and landscapes are sure to reward the effort. Birdsong, green woods, bright shores and broad rivers could all be in the picture. Activity – of everything from ants to eagles – is part of it, refreshing the senses as you explore. Just remember to pack a waterproof.


Peek at a puffin


Perhaps it’s the bright beakware and the tangerine-coloured feet that do it. Maybe it’s the rounded features and the serious look in the forward-facing eyes. Whatever the reasons, one thing is certain: people like puffins.


But although many are familiar with the name and the image, far fewer have managed to see a puffin on its home ground (or water). In summer, that could be on one of the many Scottish islands where puffins breed, or at a few mainland sites. Puffinries are often tricky to reach (think of St Kilda and you’ll get the picture), but some have easier


access. Those include Lunga, on the Treshnish Islands, off Mull, and the National Nature Reserves at Hermaness and Noss on Shetland – all places where the local puffins are fairly relaxed about people. On the Isle of May NNR – another major, much-visited colony – the puffins are often more wary. A golden rule of puffin watching is not to spend too long beside one group. Look, enjoy, then move on, and you’ll help to keep the colony healthy.


Web tip: visit.shetland.org/bird-watching


www.snh.gov.uk


9


Summer


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68