The Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2025 just dropped its winners, and honestly, it’s pure visual magic. This year’s collection hits different, blending wild landscapes, raw wildlife moments, and those blink-and-you-miss-it details that most of us walk right past.
At the center of it all is Toby Houlton, who snagged the Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year title with Dance of the Gnats. And yeah, it’s exactly as wild as it sounds. Using long exposure, he turned tiny, chaotic insects into this hypnotic swirl of motion and light, like nature throwing its own late-night rave.
What makes this competition stand out is its vibe. Since launching in 2010, it’s been less about flashy perfection and more about storytelling the real, untamed Scotland. From misty highlands to intimate macro shots, every frame feels alive, like it’s got a pulse.
And the best part? It’s open to everyone. Pros, hobbyists, first-timers, you name it. If you’ve captured Scotland’s soul through your lens, you’ve got a shot.
This year’s winners remind us of something simple but powerful: nature doesn’t need to shout to be seen. Sometimes, it just dances quietly in the dark, and if you’re paying attention, it’s unforgettable.
You can find more info:
1. Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year: "Dance of the Gnats" by Toby Houlton
Toby said: "I was overjoyed to hear that my image had been chosen as the winner of the behaviour category, and when I was given the amazing news that it was also the overall winner this year, I had to ask for that to be repeated, as I thought I had misheard!"
2. Junior Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year: "The Leaf Eater" by Kiran Simpson (Age 14)
Kiran said: "Right outside my kitchen door, under the glow of the outdoor light, I spotted this garden spider on its web, with a leaf caught in the silk beside it. Against the darkness of the night, the patterns on its body and its spiny legs stood out in incredible detail. I ran inside to grab my camera, knowing it might be gone by the time I got back."
3. Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year: "First Openings" by Rob Henderson
Rob said: "I am incredibly honoured to have my portfolio awarded 1st place in the Student category, and I am very grateful to have my work recognised in this way. Photography formed a core component of my dissertation to complete vegetation analysis and wider coursework. In the Time Between explores the temporal relationship between white water lilies and Scots pines within the landscape, with each image placing a different emphasis between the two."
4. Environmental – 1st Place: "The Necropsy" by James Appleton
5. Environmental – 2nd Place: "Wind Peak" by Don Nealon
6. Environmental – 3rd Place: "Stac Pollaidh Burns" by James Appleton
7. Natural Abstract – 1st Place: "The Last Day of the Ice" by Grant Bulloch
8. Natural Abstract – 2nd Place: "Arran Rocks" by Grant Bulloch
9. Natural Abstract – 3rd Place: "Up Close, Wave Edition" by Connor Hughes
10. Scottish Botanical – 1st Place: "Velvet Shanks" by Ken Crossan
11. Scottish Botanical – 2nd Place: "Tropical Scotland" by Connor Hughes
12. Scottish Botanical – 3rd Place: "Prevailing" by Claire Carter
13. Scottish Landscape The Land – 1st Place: "Teeth of Winter. Glenshiel" by Orrin Bryers
14. Scottish Landscape The Land – 2nd Place: "Three Lines. Loch Ard" by Dylan Nardini
15. Scottish Landscape The Land – 3rd Place: "Torridon" by Last Light on Liathach
16. Scottish Landscape Sea and Coast – 1st Place: "Where Winter Lands. Isle of Harris" by Adele Warner-Tate
17. Scottish Landscape Sea and Coast – 2nd Place: "St Monans Rainbow. Fife" by Grant Bulloch
18. Scottish Landscape Sea and Coast – 3rd Place: "Scarista Beach. Isle of Harris" by Martin Santbergen
19. Scottish Landscape Urban Greenspace – 1st Place: "Edinburgh in Bloom" by Jamie McDermaid
20. Scottish Landscape Urban Greenspace – 2nd Place: "UK’s Best Tree. Glasgow" by Libby Penman
21. Scottish Landscape Urban Greenspace – 3rd Place: "Union Terrace Gardens. Aberdeen" by Allan Wright
22. Scottish Wildlife Behaviour – 2nd Place: "The Chase" by Edd Cottell
23. Scottish Wildlife Behaviour – 3rd Place: "Champagne Bath" by Stephen Rodger
24. Scottish Wildlife Portrait – 1st Place: "Hermit Crab Portrait" by Malcolm Nimmo
25. Scottish Wildlife Portrait – 2nd Place: "Razorbill in the Rain" by Steve Adam
26. Scottish Wildlife Portrait – 3rd Place: "Goldfinches taking Flight" by Caroline Erolin
27. Junior Scottish Nature Photographer – 2nd Place: "The Berry King" by Kiran Simpson (Age 14)
28. Junior Scottish Nature Photographer – 3rd Place: "Forest Reflections in the Blink of an Eye" by Eilidh Shannon (Age 14)
FAQs:
What is the Scottish Nature Photography Awards?
The Scottish Nature Photography Awards is an annual competition celebrating nature, wildlife, and landscape photography captured across Scotland, open to both amateur and professional photographers worldwide.
Who won the 2025 Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year?
Toby Houlton won the 2025 title with his image “Dance of the Gnats,” a creative long-exposure photograph transforming tiny insects into a glowing, swirling visual spectacle.
What makes “Dance of the Gnats” unique?
The image uses long exposure to capture the movement of gnats, turning an ordinary natural moment into a dramatic and artistic display of light, motion, and abstract beauty.
When was the competition established?
The Scottish Nature Photography Awards were launched in 2010 to promote Scotland as a premier destination for nature photography and to recognize outstanding photographic talent globally.
Can anyone participate in the competition?
Yes, the competition welcomes entries from photographers of all skill levels worldwide, as long as the images are captured in Scotland and reflect its natural beauty.
