SQUIRRELS AT EDINBURGH BOTANIC GARDEN

OK, they're grey squirrels but they're cute and furry and friendly. They'll run up and look appealingly at you for food. They'll clamber over your shoes. They'll take nuts from your hand (gloves advisable because they can nip). Young squirrels - they can be quite reddish - abound in January and February. There are some plants in the Gardens as well (all the above also applies to Glasgow Botanic Gardens).

 GANNETS AT THE BASS ROCK, EAST LOTHIAN

They are there from spring to autumn, more than 80,000 of them. Trips from North Berwick harbour on Sula II sail round the rock. The boat stops close up to the cliff face crowded with nesting gannets, leaving plenty of time to take great photographs without expensive telephoto lenses. One of the best value wildlife experiences there is, and there's no extra charge for lashings of water if it's choppy!

Walk through Glasgow Green, enjoy the Doulton Fountain, the People's Palace museum (touch Lulu's trouser suit if you must) and the Winter Gardens. At the end of the Green, cross the Clyde and you're into Victoria Park. It's seen better days but there are around 80 swans either in the pond or waddling in ungainly fashion on the grass. At the first hint of a bit of loaf, they'll all head towards you.

 SEALS AT EYEMOUTH

They live in the harbour. During the summer, the kiosk at the quayside sells mackerel to feed them and provides a pole from which to dangle the fish. If you dangle correctly, the seals will leap out of the water to snatch their feed. They're fast and agile. And they're insatiable.

 RED DEER AT LOCHRANZA, ARRAN

Perhaps not as guaranteed as the first four, but they're to be seen there fairly often, both adults and young, wandering through the village and along the shore. They won't run for miles up a mountain when they spot you. I've been told they come down to lick the salt from the rocks.