EVERY day in The National we publish one of the best photographs our readers have sent in to pictures@thenational.scot from across Scotland. Here are last week's:
National reader Tor Sodergren took this photo of a penguin on his first trip to the zoo since lockdown.
Lindsay Walker spotted the first hints of autumn in this view of Stirling Castle last week.
This mountain hare winked and waved for the camera of Gary Hodgson, a mountaineer leader from Aviemore, who has spent the last three years scoping out the best place to snap the animals.
He says: “They are characters, but a lot of the time people only manage to capture them sleeping so to get their mannerisms you really have to stay with them and watch.”
READ MORE: Photos of the week: Loch Ness, pine martens, and a Scottish passion flower
Reader Mandy Williams took this incredible shot of a badger after a day spent ‘living the dream’ of photographing wildlife in Galloway.
Frank Urban writes: “It seemed like half of Scotland had the same idea as me to get out on the hills last Thursday!
"I headed for Ben Venue in the Trossachs and was rewarded with this marvellous view of Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Venachar. The hills in view included Ben A’An and Ben Ledi.”
Dr Colin Rankin submitted this stunning shot from the Shetland Islands while heading over to Sumburgh Lighthouse for the morning sunrise.
He said: “Other than being dive bombed by gulls, it was a beautifully calm and tranquil morning with the lighthouse and skies looking pretty majestic.”
To contribute your own photographs, which may be published in our newspaper and featured online, email pictures@thenational.scot along with your name and a short caption explaining where it was taken
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here