It all started with a project in Primary 3 when, as his classmates chose football, planes and racing cars, Colin Prior’s imagination was fired by Ladybird books on birds. The passion they inspired has never left the landscape photographer and, though he has travelled to more than 50 countries shooting calendars for British Airways and spent six trips capturing images of Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains, he has always been drawn to the wild and beautiful landscapes of Scotland. “I’ve had this deep-rooted, spiritual connection with the natural world,” said Colin, 62, from Bothwell. “It’s always been birds, and while I’m known for photographing mountains, they’ve played a big part in the experience of being outdoors. They enrich it, and they’re a very good touchstone for the state of the environment. When I was walking and climbing to mountain tops, I’d always take time to appreciate being with the birds around me. I still get that thrill today,” he added...