A selection of readers’ pictures from The Herald Calendar 2017

FROM MOUNTAINS TO LOCHS, FROM GLENS TO CITYSCAPES, READERS HAVE CAPTURED THE MANY FACES OF OUR COUNTRY FOR THE HERALD’S 2017 CALENDAR

WHEN it comes to being photogenic, few places can beat Scotland, blessed as it is with some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. The cityscapes are pretty impressive too, of course.

Such diversity is one of the things that makes this year’s Herald calendar so special. Another is that all the pictures, including the front cover, with its striking image of a swan taking flight, were taken by our readers.

The images, which were featured in the paper’s ever-popular Picture of the Day slot, all depict a different side of Scotland, whether it’s the austere stillness and beauty of Glencoe, the reinvention of the former Ravenscraig steel works, the balmy summer evening light of the Ayrshire countryside or the bright city lights of Glasgow.

February’s image, of two Highland cows in Skye standing stoically against the driving winter sleet, is evocative and humorous and perfectly sums up the joy of photography captured in the calendar.

Reader Jinty McPherson, who took the picture, said: “We were on holiday, driving along the road near Elgol in Skye, and all of a sudden there were the cows, looking a bit miserable but not defeated. It was such a bleak but lovely scene. I’m thrilled that it made the paper and the calendar.”

Craig Alexander, picture editor of The Herald, said the standard of this year’s calendar is hugely impressive. “I was taken by how our readers managed to capture the different seasons, the light and Scotland’s wildlife in all its glory,” he added. “We always have a healthy response to Picture of the Day, and long may this continue.”

As in previous years, profits from the calendar go to charity. This year’s beneficiary is the National Autistic Society

Scotland, which provides information, support and services for people with autism and their families.

To order your copy, visit http://heraldandtimes. myshopify.com/collections/the-herald. The Herald calendar costs £8, including UK P&P, with £2.50 from each sale going to the National Autistic Society Scotland. The remainder covers costs. Allow 21 days for delivery. You can buy a copy at The Herald reception at 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB for £6.50. Alternatively, you can call 0141 302 7300 and order the calendar and pay by credit or debit card for £8.

Clockwise from above: Marjorie Macintyre’s image of Loch Fyne from the shore at Strachur; the West Highland Line crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct, by Kim Bennett; Alex McNaughton captured two goldfinches having a row over food in Beith, East Ayrshire; and...

Clockwise from above: Jinty McPherson took this wild and woolly picture near Elgol in Skye; late evening sun hits Loudoun Hill in East Ayrshire in Charlie Gibson’s picture; and Andrew Tannahill’s picture of the big wheel in George Square, Glasgow, at...