Your pictures of Scotland: 11- 18 September

Golden sunlight breaks through dramatic clouds at the horizon, casting vibrant orange and amber reflections across a wet tidal shoreline. Dark storm clouds and deep blue tones contrast with the warm glow of the setting sun, creating a striking and atmospheric sky. The rippled sand and shallow water in the foreground mirror the colours above, adding depth and texture to the coastal scene.CRAIG BRADSHAW

This stunner was the reward for Craig Bradshaw's long day in Ayr. He told us: "It was late as I headed back down the coast road to Girvan. I had a feeling, looking at the sky, that something was about to happen and I popped home to grab a camera and got down to the beach, just as the sunrays danced through the cloud."

A selection of your pictures of Scotland sent in between 11 September and 18 September

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A close-up portrait of a Scottish wildcat shows striking green eyes, a pink nose, and long white whiskers in sharp detail. The cat’s patterned brown and grey fur fills most of the frame, with a softly blurred outdoor background highlighting its face.Emma Legge

Cat lovers will enjoy this close-up of a Scottish wildcat Emma Legge found during a day out at Five Sisters zoo in West Calder.

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A tranquil mountain lake reflects rolling hills and scattered rocky islets beneath a clear blue sky. A layer of low mist drifts across the water, adding a serene and atmospheric touch to the landscape.John Dewar

An early-morning view of a misty and autumnal Rannoch Moor at Lochan na h-Achlaise is John Dewar's contribution to a strong week in Your Pictures.

A close-up underwater portrait shows a fish peering from a rocky crevice, its vivid red-rimmed eye and textured scales sharply illuminated. Delicate, antler-like growths above the head blend with the surrounding seaweed, creating natural camouflage against the warm-toned marine habitat.Robin Blythe

Robin Blythe found this friendly Tom Pot Blenny on a recent Scuba dive at Wee Cumbrae on the Firth of Clyde.

A bright turquoise “Beach Library” box is filled with colourful buckets, spades, toy trucks and sand-moulding tools for visitors to share. Set on a sandy shoreline, the community toy station offers beachgoers easy access to play equipment for a day by the sea. Ann Hunter

Ann Hunter loved this idea of a "library" - a colourful collection of beach toys for the children to play with at Crail beach.

A brown rabbit sits alert among vibrant green grass, with its large upright ears and glossy eyes captured in sharp detail. The soft, blurred background draws attention to the rabbit’s textured fur and natural woodland setting.Michaela Murray

Michaela Murray spotted this rabbit grazing along the River Ericht in Blairgowrie (and it looks like the rabbit spotted her too).

Dark, dramatic clouds hang over a calm bay where numerous sailboats lie anchored on silvery water, with distant mountains forming a layered horizon. A long bridge stretches across the background, while a small group stands at the end of a narrow pier in the foreground. Soft evening light breaks through the cloud cover, reflecting across the water and creating a moody yet tranquil coastal scene.SISTER MARIKA REBICSEK

Sister Markia Rebicsek wanted to take a photo of Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae from the edge of the road and was thrilled when the light came through the clouds showcasing the interplay of light and dark. She loved the way the light fell on Bute behind Great and Little Cumbrae and the rain clouds coming up.

A colourful peacock butterfly rests on clusters of delicate pink wildflowers, displaying striking red, blue, black and cream eye-like markings on its wings. Bright green foliage forms a soft natural backdrop, highlighting the butterfly’s vivid patterns and intricate detail.Linda McLean

This beautiful peacock butterfly in Calderglen Country Park was captured by Linda McLean from Renfrew.

Golden sunlight streams through layered clouds, casting radiant beams across a tranquil expanse of water and silhouetted hills. The warm glow reflecting on the bay contrasts beautifully with the dark cloud formations, creating a dramatic and atmospheric landscape.Clare Hayes

After a 10-hour drive on her annual trip to Torridon in September, Clare Hayes described this as "sunshine after the rain".

A striking red steel cantilever bridge spans across calm waters as a large white cruise ship sails beneath it. The vivid colours of the bridge contrast with the blue sky and sea, creating a dramatic coastal scene.John McIntyre

John McIntyre's view from South Queensferry harbour makes a colourful image in the autumn sunshine.

A pristine sandy beach curves around a turquoise bay, framed by rugged rocky outcrops and crystal-clear coastal waters. Dramatic storm clouds sweep across the sky, creating a striking contrast between the darkening weather and the bright, tranquil shoreline.Erin Harper

A storm is on the way at the beach in Oldshoremore, but it was a spectacular sight for Erin Harper.

A vivid green shield bug rests on a broad leaf, its intricate wing patterns and long antennae sharply contrasted against the foliage. Bold orange, pink and blue leaf tones create a striking, almost surreal backdrop that makes the insect stand out dramatically.Jean Penman

This neon green hawthorn shield bug added an extra splash of colour to Jean Penman's already spectacular garden.

A sweeping white-sand beach curves beneath a rugged green hillside, with turquoise waters gently meeting the shore under a dramatic overcast sky. Scattered cattle leave criss-crossing tracks across the sand, adding a sense of scale and life to the remote coastal landscape.Sean Todd

Sand trails and a handful of cows make a striking image on Northton Beach, Isle of Harris.

A vibrant kingfisher with striking blue and orange plumage perches quietly among dense green leaves and branches. Sunlight highlights the bird’s detailed feathers while the softly blurred background draws attention to its sharp beak and watchful eye.Jack Murray-Bird

The appropriately named Jack Murray-Bird from Edinburgh found this Kingfisher perching behind foliage on the Water of Leith, waiting for its next easy catch.

A dramatic high-angle view captures the Ride of the Marches procession winding through Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, with riders on horseback crossing a crowded cobbled junction between grand stone buildings. Spectators line the streets and gather at corners to watch the traditional event, while the curved perspective emphasises the scale, architecture and spectacle of the city-centre parade.Keith valentine

An amazing image through a fisheye lens of the famous Edinburgh Ride of the marches. Keith Valentine tells us 275 horses took part, ending up on the Royal Mile on Sunday 13 September.

Two brown horses stand at the edge of a shallow pond, lowering their heads to drink from the water. Their reflections shimmer on the surface, surrounded by bright green grass, reeds, and sunlit countryside.Sylvia Beaumont

A gentle complaint from Sylvia Beaumont that we don't feature enough ponies, but a well-received solution in this lovely image she took of two of the conservation grazing ponies at North Berwick Law drinking from their pond.

A tranquil canal-side scene features moored boats reflected in still water, with a white waterside cottage softly illuminated against a backdrop of dense green woodland. Clusters of vivid red berries frame the foreground, adding colour and depth to the peaceful evening harbour setting.Aileen Gillies

The sun goes down on this beautiful view of reflections in Crinan basin from the coffee shop.

A whimsical scarecrow dressed as a plumber stands by a garden fence, wearing a high-visibility vest, hard hat and tool belt stuffed with oversized tools. A humorous sign reads, “David the Plumber will turnip and fix your leeks,” using vegetable-themed wordplay to create a charming and creative display.Pat Christie

Pat Christie sent us this image of a straw pal, one of the scarecrows in the annual trail at Dirleton Village in East Lothian.

A beautifully coloured Mandarin duck glides across still water, its intricate plumage reflected almost perfectly on the rippling surface. The soft green reflections in the pond create a serene backdrop that highlights the bird’s striking patterns and vivid hues.Graham Christie

Graham Christie's stunning snap of a male Mandarin duck reflected in Loch Lomond at Cameron House displays the amazing colours of the bird's plumage.

A European robin perches on a weathered tree stump, its vivid orange-red breast and finely detailed feathers standing out against a softly blurred green background. The close-up composition and sharp focus capture the bird’s delicate features, creating an intimate and striking wildlife portrait.Malcolm Gillies

The hide at the visitor centre above Aberfoyle allowed Malcolm Gillies the chance to capture this beautiful robin which, he said, put a smile on his face.

Two striking fly agaric mushrooms, with bright red caps speckled with white, emerge from the grass along a woodland path. The low-angle perspective draws the eye through the forest scene, contrasting the vivid fungi against the soft greens and browns of the surrounding landscape.Gordon Dryburgh

"I took this autumnal picture of red toadstools growing on the side of East Lomond (Falkland) Hill yesterday," said Gordon Dryburgh. We say thanks for sharing it.

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