A nature reserve is being transformed into a virtual art gallery where wildlife and technology will walk side by side.
Visitors to Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve will be able to view an online gallery of paintings and sketches of flora and fauna as they try to spot the real thing.
The beauty spot’s first artist-in-residence, renowned wildlife artist Derek Robertson, is setting up the virtual trail, on which walkers can use their smartphones to scan special barcodes on signposts to look at his artwork.
Pictures will show animals or plants which can be seen in that part of the reserve. The QR codes will also connect to video footage of wildlife filmed by Derek with remote-sensor cameras.
Scottish Natural Heritage will officially launch the trail on May 28, when Derek will guide visitors including art students from Dundee High School and demonstrate some of the painting and sketching techniques he uses.
He said: “Visitors will be able to see close-up footage of the individual animals from those locations on the reserve even shy, hard-to-see and nocturnal species like deer, badgers and otters.”
Tentsmuir, in the north-east tip of Fife, attracts more than 20,000 visitors a year and is home to a rich and diverse range of wildlife.
Reserve manager Tom Cunningham said: “We think the virtual trail will be a terrific adventure for visitors to the reserve.
“It’s a great way to learn about the wildlife on the reserve and to know what to look out for on their next trip.”
Mr Robertson, of Balmullo, was appointed Tentsmuir’s artist-in-residence as part of the Year of Natural Scotland celebrations and is spending the year completing a new series of wildlife paintings in oil and watercolour to promote and inspire the public about Scotland’s nature.
Paintings from the residency will be exhibited in several shows around Scotland later in the year.
Derek said: “I have very fond memories of Tentsmuir. When I was about 13 or 14, I would spend entire days there, sketching and painting.
“In fact, it was one of the first places I began to build my artistic skills, so I was absolutely delighted and honoured when SNH invited me to be artist-in-residence at the reserve.”