Scottish Wildlife Behaviour Category &
Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2025

1st: Toby Houlton - Dance of the Gnats

© Toby Houlton - Dance of the Gnats

Toby said:"I have been an avid wildlife photographer for around 20 years and, due to my love of nature and the outdoors, moved to Scotland with my wife in 2017. I strive to show the diversity and beauty of wildlife close to home, especially when images of a common or overlooked subject can help the viewer appreciate them in ways not previously seen or considered. I enjoy all aspects of wildlife photography, whether that be lying amongst the weed on a shoreline to photograph shorebirds or searching for tiny macro subjects amongst foliage; I just love to see what nature reveals.

"My winning image was taken at Little Garve in Ross-shire. I had been walking back beside the river in the late afternoon, and there, in patches of dappled sun, the gnats were 'dancing'. A moment of inspiration made me realise that taking an image with a slow shutter speed would create the amazing light trails, and the hint of the darker woodland behind would provide the sense of place. The speed of these tiny dancers meant that multiple wingbeats were captured in the exposure, creating the patterns."

2nd: Edd Cottell - The Chase

© Edd Cottell - The Chase

3rd: Stephen Rodger – Champagne Bath  

© Stephen Rodger – Champagne Bath

Shortlisted:

Kirsty Andrews
Debi Bell
John Cobham
Kate Friday
Sandy Gilmour
Shona Graham-Taylor
Toby Houlton
Connor Hughes
Sam Knight
Kevin Lomax
Sue MacCallum-Stewart
Adrian Plumb
Sheena Ramsay
Stephen Rodger
John Seager
Zaneta Threlfall
Frank Urban
Gill Williamson



Environmental category
Natural Abstract category
Scottish Botanical category
Scottish Landscape - The Land category
Scottish Landscape - Sea & Coast category
Scottish Landscape - Urban Greenspace category
Scottish Wildlife Behaviour category
Scottish Wildlife Portrait category
Junior category
Student category
Scottish Nature Video Award 2025