A stunning exhibition of 115 photographs comprising all the winning and commended entries in an international competition that attracted 19,000 submissions from 60 countries. A chance to see how the best wildlife pictures portray the wonder and importance of the natural world.

Hook, Line and Sinker until September 26. Discovery Point Cafe Gallery, Dundee. tel 01382 201245.

Another exhibition focussing on the natural world is on show at the quay where Captain Scott’s famous polar exploration ship RRS Discovery is moored. It features delightful etchings, screen prints and paintings by two Scottish art college graduates, including studies of exotic wildlife such as alligators and flamingos as well as Scottish fishing villages.

Hawick Hosiery and Knitwear. September 7 to October 9.

Victorians: Home and Away. November to March. Hawick Museum. tel 01450 373457.

In the first exhibition, the story of Hawick’s hosiery and knitwear industry is told using photographs, designs, tools and the finished product, all drawn from the museum’s considerable archive.

Following it is a schools exhibition using three specially constructed sets showing a kitchen, a ship’s cabin and a photographer’s studio to illustrate life in the period 1837-1910.

From Eskimo to Inuit. September 28 to October 26. Stranraer Museum. tel 01776 705088.

Stranraer Museum is one of a handful of Scottish venues for this fantastic educational touring exhibition aimed at primary and secondary school pupils. Prints and sculptures, artifacts, poems and textiles plus a video tell the story of the evolution of Eskimo art and craft and the people who produce it, from early times to the present day.

Included in the Stranraer show only is an illustrated diary and related objects belonging to local Arctic explorer Admiral Sir John Ross who made contact with the Inuit during the course of three Polar expeditions in search of the northwest passage in the 19th century.

Living with Maureen. September 7 to November 2. The Flying Family. September 14 to October 15.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum. tel 01224 337700.

An exhibition focusing on the experiences of those involved with Maureen, one of the best known North Sea oil platforms which was recently decommissioned after 16 years. On display will be artifacts, records and equipment from the installation as well as mementos loaned by Maureen’s crew, some of whom spent 16 years working on the platform.

Also on show at the Maritime Museum is a display telling the amazing story of a family of American aviators (parents and children) who became stranded in Greenland 70 years ago during a daring transatlantic flight and were rescued by the crew of the Aberdeen trawler Lord Talbot.

BP Portrait Award. September 28 to November 23. Aberdeen Art Gallery. Education officer David Atherton, tel 01224 523652.

The only Scottish showing of dozens of the best portraits submitted for this prestigious annual competition for up and coming artists. Aberdeenshire primary and secondary schools are being invited to take part in a programme of workshops built around the exhibition.

The Drawing Room until November 29. The Travelling Gallery touring Scotland. tel 0131 529 39393682.

Everyone can draw to some extent. Most of us probably do it without realising: dragging a stick along the sand, doodling during a telephone call and so on. This exhibition explores the endless ways contemporary artists are using drawing. The range is immense and has resulted in one of the largest Travelling Gallery exhibitions for many years.

The tour, which includes artist-led workshops, coincides with The Big Draw, the national campaign to get everyone drawing, taking place in October (www.drawing power.org.uk).

One Island, Many Faiths. October 11 to April 27. St Mungo Museum, Glasgow. tel 0141 553 2557.

This photographic essay documenting Britain’s many different religions, including Rastafarianism, Wicca and Druidism, features a delightful picture of two young nuns skipping with a rope at a convent in London. Each picture is accompanied by a personal statement from the people involved, explaining how they came to their faith and what it means to them in their daily lives.

Fire! A history of firefighting in the west of Scotland until autumn 2003. Museum of Transport, Glasgow. tel 0141 287 2720.

This exhibition includes an old fire engine and two specially constructed houses demonstrating good and bad practice regarding fire safety.

Deedee Cuddihy