Your pictures of Scotland: 15 May - 22 May

News imagePhil Wright Calm coastal water reflecting a dramatic sunset sky, with soft orange and blue tones and layered clouds stretching across the horizonPhil Wright
Phil Wright snapped this beautiful picture of Loch Ryan, taken from Stranraer.

A selection of your pictures of Scotland sent in between 15 May and 22 May.

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News imageLeora Soibelman Monument with tall columns silhouetted against a partly cloudy sky at sunset, reflected in a puddle in the foreground.Leora Soibelman
Leora Soibelman captured this image of the National Monument of Scotland at sunset on Calton Hill, Edinburgh.

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News imageKirsten Fraser White swan sitting on a nest made of reeds, with several grey, fluffy cygnets gathered beside it among tall green plantsKirsten Fraser
Kirsten Fraser from Easter Kinkell captured this image of a swan and her cygnets at Brahan estate in Dingwall.
News imageAnthony Parker Aerial view through an airplane window showing rugged land, water, and islands below, with soft light across the landscape and a wide, cloudy sky above.Anthony Parker
Anthony Parker snapped this incredible image from the window of a plane. He said: "We were reminded how beautiful Scotland is as we were treated to a magnificent sunrise view of the Knapdale Peninsula."
News imageChris Shelbourn Large bird of prey gliding through the sky with wings fully spread, showing brown and patterned feathers, flying through a clear sky.Chris Shelbourn
Chris Shelbourn from Edinburgh spotted this red kite while on holiday in Dumfries and Galloway.
News imageColum McCarthy Close-up of a young goat with small horns and black-and-white fur standing on grass.Colum McCarthy
"The kids loved seeing this kid during our family visit to Dean Castle, Kilmarnock over the weekend," says Colum McCarthy from Glasgow.
News imageIan Folly Wide field of bright yellow flowers stretching across the foreground, with a small cluster of trees on the horizon beneath a dark, stormy skyIan Folly
Ian Folly captured some dramatic weather over Lamb hill near Nairn.
News imageColin Knox Large Loch Ness monster sculpture rising from calm water in a lake, with a white swan swimming nearby and dense green trees lining the far shore.Colin Knox
Colin Knox captured this face off between a swan and a Nessie sculpture at Culzean Country Park.
News imageLee Cassidy Golden-brown dog standing on rocky ground in a mountainous landscape, with rolling peaks and a partly cloudy sky in the backgroundLee Cassidy
Beautiful pup Skye was pictured waiting patiently for her treats after reaching the summit of Stob Dubh.
News imageMarian van Kleinwee Red British post box in a rural setting, with a bird nesting inside the mail slot. A sign taped to the front reads that birds are nesting and asks for patience due to temporary disruptionMarian van Kleinwee
Marian van Kleinwee from Rotterdam spotted this out of service post box, being used as a nest by a starling. "The parent starlings were flying back and forth with food for the little ones," she says.
News imageIan Niven Swan gliding across the surface of the water with wings spread wide, splashing as it begins to take flight.Ian Niven
Ian Niven from Hamilton captured a swan preparing for take off at Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow.
News imageDarren Wheeler Bumblebee collecting pollen from a bright yellow daffodil, with blurred green stems and purple flowers in the backgroundDarren Wheeler
Darren Wheeler from Queensland, Australia enjoyed some bee-spotting during a holiday to Scotland. He said: "We don't have your big fat bumble bees in Australia, and my wife and I love them".
News imageDouglas Kerr Small brown bird perched on the top of a wooden fence post, with detailed feathers and a softly blurred blue and wooden backgroundDouglas Kerr
Douglas Kerr from Glasgow spotted this young Robin hunting for food in his garden. "Sometimes surprising how beautiful our garden birds are until seen close up," he says.
News imageSusan Morrison Looking up through a curved spiral staircase with smooth, cream-colored walls set against a bold red backdrop, forming a flowing, abstract patternSusan Morrison
Susan Morrison from Perth enjoyed a day out at the opera with her children. "Not been here for ages but loved the staircase and all its wiggles," she said.
News imageSharon Douglas Red squirrel standing upright on a wooden surface, with a bushy tail behind it and large dark eyes, set against a softly blurred green background.Sharon Douglas
Sharon Douglas snapped a picture of a red squirrel near Dalmally, Argyll and Bute.
News imageDonald Stewart Wooden gate in the foreground opening onto a narrow grassy path winding through a woodland filled with trees and patches of purple wildflowers.Donald Stewart
Donald Stewart captured this beautiful forest path surrounded by bluebells during an afternoon walk near Biggar, South Lanarkshire.
News imageAileen Gillies Close-up of a cow's face pressed near a metal fence, with its nose and whiskers filling most of the frame against a bright blue sky and grassy field.Aileen Gillies
Aileen Gillies came across this inquisitive highland cow calf at Kilchoan Melfort Trust in Oban.
News imageChris Bell Large rocky island covered in seabirds rising from the sea, with a lighthouse perched on one side. In the foreground, a grassy golf course with a flag and several people walking along the links.Chris Bell
Chris Bell from Strathblane snapped this image of Bass Rock towering over North Berwick golf club in East Lothian.
News imageMike Alexander Northern lights glowing in green and purple over a dark landscape, with bright stars visible in the night sky and the silhouette of a tall tree in the foregroundMike Alexander
Mike Alexander from Galloway astronomy centre submitted this image of a colourful Aurora, along with an explanation of the science behind it. He said: "The red and green colours are created by oxygen while the blue is from nitrogen which only occurs in a more intense Aurora."
News imageIain Kelman Rocky beach with smooth, rounded stones scattered across the sand. Small waves roll in from the sea, and sunlight breaks through clouds over distant coastal cliffs.Iain Kelman
Iain Kelman from Aberdeen submitted this beautiful image of colourful stones at Rackwick Bay, Orkney.
News imageIan Marshall Large weathered rock formation with layered red and grey tones, shaped into a natural arch on a grassy coastal cliff, with the sea visible beyond under a clear blue sky.Ian Marshall
Ian Marshall submitted this image of the "weird and wonderful" Buddo Rock, situated in Boarhills, St Andrews.
News imageRaymond Codona Passenger steamship with two red-and-black funnels sailing across calm water, while a small propeller plane flies overhead beneath a wide sky filled with low clouds and distant mountainsRaymond Codona
Raymond Codona from Glasgow was lucky enough to spot a small plane coming in to land over the Sound of Mull, flying over the Waverley paddle steamer.
News imageStephanie Virot Close-up of waves breaking over smooth shoreline stones at sunset, with water splashing into the air and the sun low on the horizon casting warm light through scattered clouds.Stephanie Virot
Stephanie Virot captured this amazing image in Musselburgh, East Lothian.
News imageGareth Talbot Dramatic coastal cliffs with two tall sea stacks rising from the ocean. Waves break against rocky shores under a cloudy sky, with a natural arch visible in the cliff face.Gareth Talbot
Gareth Talbot from Finstown captured this scenic image of the Duncansby Stacks, Wick.
News imageCarol Cameron Adult deer standing in a leafy woodland clearing beside a young fawn. The animals are surrounded by dense green foliage and wild plants.Carol Cameron
Carol Cameron spotted a deer and her fawn while walking her dog near Knockbrex, Kirkcudbrightshire.
News imageKevin O'Kane Graveyard at dusk with rows of headstones and a stone church in the background. A tall Celtic cross monument stands among the graves, with soft lighting from nearby buildings under a cloudy evening skyKevin O'Kane
Kevin O'Kane submitted this image of Corstorphine Old Kirk, Edinburgh.