SCOTLAND's annual celebration of nature kicks off at the weekend, with more than 150 free events across the country.

Organised by Scottish Natural Heritage and partners, Scotland's Nature Festival celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland and boasts a huge array of community events.

Participants can wander in picturesque gardens and take part in craft activities for children at the Redhall Walled Gardens in Edinburgh, go on a bug hunt or pond dipping at Forvie National Nature Reserve north of Aberdeen, go camping in the From Dusk to Dawn event run by the Glasgow countryside rangers; take a stunning cliff-top walk with a countryside ranger on the Dunnet Head to Brough guided walk, take part in a Welly Walk Weekend at Bowhill House & Country Estate in Selkirk or enjoy a Peregrine Breakfast at the Falls of Clyde, starting with a ranger-led dawn chorus and topped with a breakfast at the peregrine watch site.

For more information on these and many other events across Scotland, visit www.list.co.uk and search for Scotland's Nature Festival.

Most events are free; a few will have a minimal charge. Events are being held by organisations including ranger services, countryside parks, NGOs, faith organisations, nature reserves, community groups, schools and gardens.

Scotland's Nature Festival organiser Zeshan Akhter said: "It's a terrific way to take part of the Year of Natural Scotland."