Hall of Fame Winners Archive - 2025
Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2025
(& Scottish Wildlife Behaviour Category winner):
Toby Houlton - Dance of the Gnats
© Toby Houlton - Dance of the Gnats
Toby said:"I have been an avid wildlife photographer for around 20 years and, due to my love of nature and the outdoors, moved to Scotland with my wife in 2017. I strive to show the diversity and beauty of wildlife close to home, especially when images of a common or overlooked subject can help the viewer appreciate them in ways not previously seen or considered. I enjoy all aspects of wildlife photography, whether that be lying amongst the weed on a shoreline to photograph shorebirds or searching for tiny macro subjects amongst foliage; I just love to see what nature reveals.
"My winning image was taken at Little Garve in Ross-shire. I had been walking back beside the river in the late afternoon, and there, in patches of dappled sun, the gnats were 'dancing'. A moment of inspiration made me realise that taking an image with a slow shutter speed would create the amazing light trails, and the hint of the darker woodland behind would provide the sense of place. The speed of these tiny dancers meant that multiple wingbeats were captured in the exposure, creating the patterns."
Junior Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2025
Kiran Simpson
(age 14)
- The Leaf Eater
© Kiran Simpson - The Leaf Eater
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. What I love most about this photo is that it was taken literally steps from my back door. It just goes to show that you don't need to travel far to find incredible wildlife; it's all around us if you just stop and look.
"Being recognised at this level really means a lot."
Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2025
Rob Henderson
– In the Time Between
Portfolio
MA Geography, University of Glasgow
©
Rob Henderson - First Openings. In the Time Between
Portfolio
©
©
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. I was interested in capturing the contrast between the brief, seasonal presence of the lilies and the endurance of the pines through the yearly cycles. As both a geographer and photographer, I am drawn to the way landscapes can express change and time. These images were captured over a couple of days, during which I camped by the lochside and woke early to get the best conditions. This was my first visit to the location for photography, and it has encouraged me to continue returning to photograph the loch as part of a wider portfolio across the seasons. I am very grateful to the judges for selecting this portfolio as the winner, and to everyone involved in organising the competition."
Stac Pollaidh Wildfire
©
James Appleton
Scottish Nature Video Award 2025
James Appleton - Stac Pollaidh Wildfire
James said: "This was the result of a powerful two days documenting the human-made wildfire that consumed the slopes of Stac Pollaidh early in spring 2025. The resulting landscape, totally blackened, nevertheless has already begun to rebound with life. It has been assumed that a campfire, left without being correctly extinguished, was responsible."
Judge Harry Martin said: "Stunning cinematography and high-end production abound in James's video entry. The judges were immediately hooked with the incredible drone footage and soundscape created in the first few seconds, illustrating how important it is to set up a story quickly and deliver interest in the opening sequences of a short video. With simple cuts, a variety of shot styles and a well-polished edit, James has perfectly captured one of the most dramatic wildfire incidents of last year. With no narration, he has left interpretation of the overall story and impact to the viewer, inviting questions and a look into what happened. It's no surprise that we see a supporting photograph of this fire by James being awarded in the environmental category too."
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