Robert HardingScotland’s vibrant capital, Glasgow, is playing host to the Commonwealth Games right now (until the 3rd August 2014). But there’s way more to this historic country than it’s urban centres and sporting events. We put together this gallery of Scotland’s dramatic rural gems.
Spectacular light over the Trotternish Range from the Quiraing in the Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides (Adam Burton/Robert Harding)
Puffin pair billing, Shetland Islands (David Tipling/Robert Harding)
Twilight over Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich, Dornie (Adam Burton/Robert Harding)
Neist Point Lighthouse, the most westerly point on the Isle of Skye (Adam Burton/Robert Harding)
Drying nets by the harbour at Pittenweem, Fife (James Emmerson/Robert Harding)
Dramatic landscape at the Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides (Adam Burton/Robert Harding)
Basking shark feeding on plankton, Hebrides (Mark Harding/Robert Harding)
Loch Leathan, The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, west coast (Gavin Hellier/Robert Harding)
Bowfiddle Rock Arch, spectacular natural arch near Portknockie, Morayshire (Patrick Dieudonne/Robert Harding)
Walls, West Mainland, Shetland Islands (Patrick Dieudonne/Robert Harding)
Beautiful pre-dawn light on the Trotternish Ridge, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides (Julian Elliott/Robert Harding)
Highland cattle, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides (Patrick Dieudonne/Robert Harding)
Buachaille Etive Mor and the River Coupall at the head of Glen Etive, Glen Coe end of Rannoch Moor, The Scottish Highlands (Neale Clarke/Robert Harding)
Red deer stag in the Highlands in February, Highland Region (David Tipling/Robert Harding)
Callanish (Callanais) Stone Circle dating from Neolithic period between 3000 and 1500 BC, at dawn, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides (Patrick Dieudonne/Robert Harding)
See more photos of Scotland here.