Outdoors

Pease Bay in the Scottish Borders

How climate change is threatening Scotland's surf spots
As elsewhere in the world, the loss of popular waves in Scotland could have economic, social and cultural impacts, writes Roger Cox

Winter is on its way.

When does winter start 2026? Here's when autumn officially ends

Winter can be a tough time to walk the dog.

Should I Walk My Dog In A Storm? Here's what the experts say

Burton snowboards at 50: raise a glass to the innovators of the past

A selection of Rip Curl: The Search ads from the 1990s

Scotland hosts latest chapter of Rip Curl's epic surf search

Keep your eyes on the skies this week.

How to see the Orionid Meteor Shower 2026: Shooting stars expected

This month's full moon is known as the Hunter Moon.

When is the next Full Moon 2026? How to see October's Hunter Moon

Callie Cruickshank of Team Scotland competing at EuroSurf Junior 2026 in Bundoran, Ireland

Scotland’s junior wave riders score best ever EuroSurf result

Night skiing at Grouse Mountain in British Columbia, where the city of Vancouver serves as a supersized base station

Getting ski trip deja vu? Here’s how to spice up your next one

This week's full moon is known as the Harvest Moon.

Harvest Moon 2026: Here's how to see this weekend's full moon

Colonsay: no shortage of blue space

Are Scotland’s blue spaces its greatest untapped resource?

The adder is the UK's only venomous snake.

Dogs and Snake Bites: What you need to know on September walks

You should be careful of your dog around horse chestnut trees this autumn.

Are conkers dangerous for dogs? Vet explains horse chestnut risk

This is what a harvest mite looks like.

Does My Dog Have Harvest Mites? Vet explains symptoms and treatment

Autumn is a great time to get out and about with your pup.

Dog Autumn Safety 2026: Vet urges owners to look out for five hazards

Some of Scotland's best autumn walks.

Best Scottish Autumn Walks 2026: 15 of the most stunning walks

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, where the sport of surfing was first filmed in 1906

Watch the first-ever surf films from Hawaii – and Scotland

Here's the exact time clocks will "fall back" in 2026.

When do the clocks go back? Exact time clocks will change in 2026

This month's full moon is known as the harvest moon.

When is the Full Moon in September 2026? How to see the Harvest Moon

Welcome to St Andrews, Fife’s answer to Bondi Beach

US skier Ross Tester competes in the Verbier Xtreme Freeride World Tour event in March 2021

Looking good: How aesthetics are taking over at the Olympics

Autumn is on its way.

When does summer 2026 end? Here's when it's officially autumn

You may see the moon turning red this week.

August Lunar Eclipse 2026: How to watch the moon turn red

Ben Larg surfing at the Lost Shore wave pool near Edinburgh

Red Bull event offers chance to surf with the pros at Lost Shore

If you miss today's partial solar eclipse there will be another one in less than a year.

When is the next solar eclipse and will it be seen in Scotland

A rare almost total solar eclipse will take place in the UK this evening.

Where to watch the Royal Observatory's solar eclipse live stream

Here is the exact time you can see the solar eclipse across Scotland

Here's how to make your own pinhole projector for the 2026 solar eclipse.

Solar Eclipse: How to make your own pinhole projector, in pictures

Eclipse viewing glasses certified with the ISO 12312-2:2015 international safety standard .

How to view the solar eclipse safely - even without glasses

There is a full moon every month - and occasionally more.

When is the next Full Moon in 2026? How to see August's Sturgeon Moon

Highland tourist mecca launches colour-coded network to boost cycling

Alastair Dalton on the Alyth Gravel Network

My amazing ride through stunning Perthshire on newly devised trails

If your dogs seems to be scratching more then harvest mites could be to blame.

Harvest Mites and Dogs: Symptoms, treatment and prevention tips

Seaweed-covered rocks at low tide: a slippery trip hazard or a well-stocked larder?

Mr laver laver: Better late than never to the seaweed-scarfing party

Ben Lawers in Highland Perthshire, once home to prolific prehistoric rock artists “enmeshed with their landscape, intimately aware of things we now sense only vaguely”

Upland by Ed Douglas review: 'Lessons from British mountain history'

Dogs love to cool off in the water during the summer.

Dog Swimming Advice: Expert advice on keeping your dog safe in water

Dogs need to be kept hydrated on hot days.

Is My Dog Dehydrated? Here's how to tell - and how to prevent it

It's pretty common for dogs to eat grass.

Why Do Dogs East Grass? Reasons, should you be concerned

The next full moon of 2026 is called the Buck Moon.

When is the next Full Moon in 2026? How to see July's Buck Moon

The inflatable camping tent accommodates up to four people and includes a manual pump, guy ropes, stakes and carry bag

This four-person inflatable tent is now £199

Collecting sea glass is a popular hobby.

Best Scottish Beaches For Sea Glass 2026: 11 great places in Scotland

Susie MacDonald (left), Charlotte Reader (right) and Emma Ledger (centre) cool off from the hot weather at Cumnock open-air swimming pool in East Ayrshire.

Fun in the Sun: Here are 18 pictures of Scots enjoying the hot weather

A Wave Project session takes to the water

Sceptical about surf therapy? These numbers say you shouldn’t be

Unidentified flying subject, Caithness

Five inspirational wave-riding memoirs for International Surfing Day

Skiers at Cairngorm Mountain ski area in February 2026

Scottish ski resorts celebrate best season in eight years

Pat Kieran building a surfboard at Farmhouse Cottage, Thurso, late 1970s

How board builder Pat Kieran helped shape Thurso's surfing community

The Strawberry Moon will light up the night sky later this month.

When is the next Full Moon in 2026? How to see June's Strawberry Moon

Four of the sunniest places in Scotland.

Sunniest Places in Scotland: 10 Scottish locations that get most sun

Pat Kieran at Farr Bay, Sutherland, in the late 1970s. “On the left is a board I built for Joyce Huxley, the first Scottish ladies surf champ. The other one is a Danny Garland board I got from Malcolm Findlay. And I’m wearing a very early Dry-Robe – actually the lining of a Canadian Army greatcoat I got from the Army & Navy Stores in Liverpool that I used as motorbike apparel.”

Remembering a moment of Scottish surfing serendipity 50 years on

An illustration from A Manual of Elementary Geology, by Charles Lyell, 1852, showing ‘Hutton’s Unconformity’ at Siccar Point in the Scottish Borders

Why Hutton's 300th should be about celebrating creativity in science

Here's when summer begins in the UK this year.

When does summer start? Here's the exact date summer begins in 2026

Scottish skateboarder Colin Kennedy pictured outside the Design Museum in London in 1996

Elsewhere by Neil Macdonald: 'fitting tribute to golden age of UK skateboarding'

Catching the Light by Beth Robertson Fiddes

Beth Robertson Fiddes: an artist who’s unafraid to dive into the surf

Disappointingly the Blue Moon isn't actually blue.

Next Full Moon 2026: Here's how to see May's Blue Moon

The traditional Faroese rowing boat that features in David Gange's journey

Afloat: Small Boats, Swell and Seaspray, by David Gange: 'exemplary'

Print surf publications fit for the 21st century, from left: The Surfer’s Journal, Patience and Crush

The internet didn’t kill surf mags – it just made them better

Demonstrators attend a protest in Glasgow on the Global Day Of Climate Action in November 2025.

What is Earth Day 2026? Here's what to know about the annual event

If the skies stay clear you are in with a chance of seeing plenty of shooting stars over the next week.

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: How to see the oldest recorded meteor shower

Scotland is home to some of the best stargazing in Europe.

Here are 11 of the best places for stargazing in Scotland

Nick Hounsfield

Do Blue by Nick Hounsfield & Abby Richardson: 'a blue health primer'

May's full moon is known as the Flower Moon,

Next Full Moon 2026: Here's how to see May's Flower Moon

Scotland’s ‘first farm hospitality destination’ opens in stunning rural setting

Dave Biggin, enjoying optimal spring snow conditions on Meall nan Tarmachan during the Lawers of Gravity freeride contest in April 2015

From corn to mashed potatoes: getting the most out of spring skiing

Columbia’s Hike Dry collection is built for unpredictable UK weather, combining waterproof protection with lightweight, breathable comfort

I tested Columbia’s Hike Dry range for Britain’s wettest walks

Pages from The Stylish Life: Surfing

Surf style book gives chillier locations the cold shoulder

Cherry blossoms blooming at the Meadows in Edinburgh during spring.

Explainer When do the clocks change UK? Here's the exact time clocks go forward

Joey Pickering competing at the 2026 Coe Cup freeride event at Glencoe

How the Scottish ski industry got its mojo back in 2026

It's totally normal for dogs to enjoy rolling in smelly matter.

Why does my dog roll in fox poo? Reasons for the smelly behaviour

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries