This gallery showcases a personal journey into the secretive world of Scotland’s wild otters – known in Shetland dialect as draatsi. Sleek, elusive, and endlessly charismatic, these mammals have become one of my most challenging and rewarding subjects to photograph. Scotland, with its pristine coastlines, sea lochs, and rugged isles, offers some of the best opportunities to encounter Eurasian otters in the wild. I’ve spent countless hours immersed in these landscapes – rising before dawn, tracking quiet shorelines, and patiently waiting for fleeting moments of activity. From the misty inlets of the Highlands to the exposed tidal shores of Shetland, every image in this collection reflects the quiet beauty and resilience of these creatures.
Photographing otters demands time, silence, and deep respect for their natural rhythm. Through this gallery, I aim to offer a glimpse into their hidden lives – while celebrating the wild, untamed places they call home.
