Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart Photography Competition

To celebrate the UK broadcast of our latest series Highlands – Scotland’s Wild Heart this summer, along with the launch of its accompanying book, we’re opening a photography competition to find the best shots of Scotland’s wildlife and landscapes. We want to see your favourite photographs of the country’s mountains, lochs, glens, islands and coasts, as well as their wild inhabitants, from dolphins to dragonflies, otters to osprey.

We’ve teamed up with the national tourism board VisitScotland to provide the first prize for our overall winner – two night's stay in the Cairngorms National Park and a fantastic workshop exploring the local wildlife with photographer, guide and red squirrel mastermind, Neil McIntyre. The overall winner will also receive a copy of the series book and DVD, as will our five runners up.

To enter, simply upload your photo to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HighlandsPhotoComp and tag @mara_media or post using #HighlandsPhotoComp on the Maramedia Facebook Page before Tuesday 30th August 2016. We'll also be re-sharing our favourites across our social media accounts.

Don't forget to tune in to the series, which starts at 9pm, Friday 5th August on BBC Two, and join in the conversation using #Highlands.

For some inspiration, check out Laurie Campbell's award-winning photographs that illustrate the stunning series book written by Stephen Moss. You can also find out more information about discovering Scotland's wildlife here.

For some top tips to help you capture that perfect shot we spoke to two of the Highlands’ leading wildlife photographers that feature in the series:

Master of field craft, wildlife photographer and guide NEIL MCINTYRE, who has an almost magical way with red squirrels.

WDC Field Officer and photographer CHARLIE PHILLIPS, who is famed for his chronicling of the resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth.

COPYRIGHT NEIL McINTYRE

WHY ARE THE HIGHLANDS SO SPECIAL TO YOU?

NEIL: The Highlands are special to me for many reasons, they are my home first and foremost but the sheer diversity of the landscape is something I particularly love about them. You can go from the Arctic-like Cairngorm Mountain Plateau down through ancient pine forests, across to the ruggedness and wildness of the west coast and then out on to the Hebrides, which have their very own special character. Then in all these places you have such a diverse range of really special wildlife, which gives you an endless sense of anticipation in any of these places. I love that feeling that at any time an eagle could come into view over a mountain, you could see an otter diving and feeding offshore or a red squirrel scampering through the tree tops above you.

CHARLIE:  There's beauty around every corner, wonderful vistas from every mountain top, a sense of great age and history plus, in this busy world, beautiful places where you can be completely and totally alone with the wildlife.

CHARLIE AND LUNAR, RESPECTIVE SONS OF KESSLET AND MOONLIGHT, TWO OF THE WDC'S ADOPTION DOLPHINS. COPYRIGHT CHARLIE PHILLIPS

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE WILDLIFE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH AND WHY?

CHARLIE: Funnily enough the resident bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth! They have individual looks and highly individual characters and quirks; it's like following a soap opera every day.

NEIL: Red squirrels - they are just so engaging, fun and always busy and getting up to mischief! I like the challenge of trying to photograph them in as many different ways as I can in the hope that I can capture a bit of their spirit in the finished shot. The more I watch them the more pictures I see in my head that I think I can achieve, it’s a never-ending quest and one I happy to have that way.

COPYRIGHT MARAMEDIA

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINNERS?

CHARLIE: Patience, lots of it. Start small and work up, try birds in your garden then other local wildlife to you. Practise, practise and more practise. Think WHY you want to take the photo. Be safe at all times.

NEIL: Get to know and understand your camera and equipment so that you don't spent half your time fiddling with settings. On many occasions the chance can be fleeting and quick so if you’re not ready to shoot then the moment can be gone. It’s nothing new but get to know your chosen subject. Learn and watch it is much as you can, it will all pay off in the end and your pictures will be the better for it. And get out as much as you can. If you can combine the two then you won’t go far wrong. Enjoy the wildlife for what it is and don't always just think of getting the shot, the more you appreciate and enjoy what you see that will also show in what you do.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS (Read our full terms and conditions here)

• Entries must be received via the Maramedia Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts by tagging the accounts and using the hashtag #HighlandsPhotoComp
• Closing date for entries is 11:59pm on Tuesday 30th August 2016
• One first prize photograph will be selected after the competition closing date and will receive two nights' accommodation for two people in the Cairngorms National Park, a workshop with wildlife guide Neil McIntyre and a copy of the series book and DVD
• Five runners up will be selected after the competition closing date and will receive a copy of the book and DVD each.
• The first prize is for one winner and a companion, who must travel together on the same trip
• The trip is subject to availability and must be taken by 1 June 2017
• Accommodation is on a B&B basis sharing one room; all other costs to be met by winner
• Entrants must be over 18 years
• Open to UK residents only
• No cash alternative
• The competition will be judged by the Highlands – Scotland’s Wild Heart production team at Maramedia Ltd. The judges decision is final

The Highlanders

In the final episode of our Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart series we meet the dedicated Highlanders who work with Scotland's unique wildlife - the scientists, conservationists and local people going to extraordinary efforts to rebuild natural habitats and protect the future of the wild Highlands.

“Never before have the Highlands seen such work being done to repair the damage of the past, so that future generations can enjoy this spectacular country”

— HIGHLANDS - SCOTLAND'S WILD HEART

Dave Anderson, of Forestry Commission Scotland, monitors red kite and osprey chicks giving a unique perspective into the lives of these birds before they fledge the nest. The osprey is one of the greatest conservation success stories in the Highlands - at RSPB Loch Garten Reserve, Information Officer Jennifer Clark explains how getting people involved helped secure the future of these incredible birds. After re-introductions in the 1990s, red kites are also thriving in the Highlands - Argaty Farm feeding station is a fantastic place to see these raptors, especially during the winter months.

Nature-based tourism brings in 1.4 billion pounds a year to the Scottish economy. Fiona and Tilly Smith of the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd and wildlife photographer and guide Neil McIntyre discuss the growing nature tourism industry in the Highlands and what makes this wild place so special.

Six thousand years ago, the Caledonian Pine Forest, rich in Scots pine, birch, oak and rowan, covered almost 6,000 square miles but today perhaps just 1% of the ancient forest remains. Dr David Hetherington, of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, describes the fantastic work being done to restore these forests on a landscape scale, while RSPB Abernethy's Desmond Dugan, sows the seeds of native species like Alder.

Hayley Wiswell, also of CNPA, introduces the bustling invertebrate world on the forest floor. The Scottish wood ant is a keystone species in these woodlands and, among other functions, encourages plant growth by predating on insect herbivores.

Centuries ago, apex predators of a very different kind roamed these forests - lynx, bears and wolves. Meet philanthropist Paul Lister, who has begun a re-wilding project to restore lost plant and animal species to his Alladale Wilderness Reserve.

The Scottish wildcat is the last truly wild feline in the United Kingdom. After years of persecution and habitat loss, their numbers have fallen dramatically. But today, the greatest threat facing the wildcat is interbreeding with feral cats as with each passing generation genetic purity is lost. Scottish Wildcat Action is working to protect the wildcat -  meet male wildcat Hamish on his journey from the Highland Wildlife Park to Aigas Field Centre as part of SWA's conservation breeding programme.

The Highland coast thrives with wildlife - Scotland is home to internationally important seabird colonies and over twenty different species of whale and dolphin have been recorded in Scottish waters. Charlie Phillips and Katie Dyke from Whale and Dolphin Conservation discuss their Shorewatch Programme, which brings people and wildlife together by allowing communities to be directly involved with hands on conservation. And Paul Walton, Head of Habitats and Species at the RSPB, celebrates Scottish seabird colonies but also warns of challenges ahead.

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Our series wouldn’t have possible without the warm welcome and help from the Highlanders. We gained unprecedented access to locations such as Handa Island, the Cairngorm National Park and private estates, as well as the wildlife reserves of the RSPB, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Forestry Commission Scotland. We were welcomed into private homes and community events to film scenes such as the attic pine marten kits, the opening of the salmon season on the River Spey and Lochearnhead Highland Games. We are also hugely grateful to the many hours of dedicated help and advice that wildlife experts have given us throughout the series. 

“Thank you to everyone working to conserve the special wildlife of the Highlands of Scotland – ensuring the Highlands remain as one of the world’s most magical wild places. It has been a privilege to make these films and we couldn’t have done it without your support ”

— NIGEL POPE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Britain's Got (Wild) Talent!

The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the UK's most remarkable wildlife. With the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent this week we took a look at some of the Highlands' most talented wild residents and the adaptations that enable them to thrive in this unforgiving place.

1. OSPREY

This impressive raptor has many adaptations that allow it to perform it’s special talent of catching the fish on which it exclusively feeds - a behaviour which has entranced 14 million Facebook viewers and counting!

Using sharp eyesight to spot the fish, osprey dive feet-first from heights of over 100 feet to grab their prey. Their long, curved talons are equipped with short spines called spicules for an unbreakable hold on wet, slippery fish and their wings contain more feathers and are longer and thinner than other predatory birds, giving them enough power to lift off with a fish that may match them in weight! Finally, they have a reversible outer toe to shift the fish into a head-first position for flight, giving minimal drag on the return journey to the nest.

 2. GREY SEALS

While every other Highland bird and mammal completes their breeding cycle by the end of summer, grey seals are an exception to the rule and pup in the autumn. In order to survive the overwhelming Highland winter, the grey seal pups have to grow up fast and their special talent is weight gain! Their mother’s milk contains 50% fat so the growing pups gain two kilos a day, trebling their weight in just three weeks and developing a vital insulating blubber layer that will protect them against the winter’s worst.

3. RED SQUIRRELS

Red squirrels spend nearly 90% of their lives in the treetops and they’re superbly adapted to climb and leap. Their short, sharp claws provide excellent grip while their long hind limbs are adapted for leaping. Their ankles can rotate 180° allowing them to climb down a tree head first and their tail, often the same length as their body, gives perfect balance.

4. BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS

Forget sword swallowers, the Highlands has vomiting dolphins! Some individuals in the Moray Firth population regurgitate and re-swallow their salmon supper in order to get the gigantic fish, weighing 20 pounds or more,  to finally slip down the throat.

Check out WDC Officer, Charlie Philips’ blogpost for an excellent guide to seeing the dolphins yourself at Channonry Point.