A Scottish winter might not conjure up images of a wildlife watcher’s paradise, but there are many surprising wild spectacles to behold.

Hear the Scottish wildcat’s mating call on still winter nights in the forests and woods or head to the Cairngorm Plataea and be astonished to find a subarctic wilderness where the mountain hare in its white winter coat roam the hills or discover the hardy ptarmigan in its white winter plumage. You are likely to spot red deer and the magnificent golden eagle in winter throughout the Scottish Highlands.

Winter is a great time to witness thousands of geese taking to the skies early in the morning as they go in search of food. Several species of geese arrive in their thousands in autumn from Iceland, Greenland and Norway to winter in their favourite spots across Scotland.

The saltmarshes of Caerlaverock in the Solway Firth not only host wintering geese but wild Whooper swans from Iceland. These graceful beasts are renowned for their distinctive ‘whooping’ call.

Scotland is an otter stronghold and these can be found hunting along Scotland’s miles of undisturbed coastline. Winter is the time to catch a glimpse of grey seal pups, which are born in autumn.

Surprise yourself this winter and appreciate the great outdoors.