Sir David Attenborough turned 99 this year and his career - which began in 1952 - has led him through an incredible journey which has resulted in him being regarded as Britain’s most beloved broadcaster by many.
With his captivating narration in iconic documentaries like Blue Planet, Attenborough offers a wealth of wisdom on politics, human nature and the environment. In fact, despite having explored every continent on the planet, he commented that Scotland still had “some of the most marvellous landscapes and wildlife spectacles” on offer; a testament to our wee country.
To celebrate his legacy and understand his beliefs about the world, here are 29 quotes from Sir David Attenborough.
17. David Attenborough on... Studying animals that don't know you're watching them
“You get glimpses of a non-human world – and that is a transporting thing.” Photo: Submitted
18. David Attenborough on... His grandfather
“I’m luckier than my grandfather, who didn’t move more than five miles from the village where he was born.” Photo: PA
19. David Attenborough on... protecting life
“The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth.” Photo: Ozkan Ongel via Canva Pro
20. David Attenborough on... Grief
“In moments of great grief, that’s where you look and immerse yourself. You realise you are not immortal, you are not a god, you are part of the natural world and you come to accept that.” Photo: David Cheskin