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.
5. David Attenborough on... Composure
“About 70 or 80 men jumped onto the track, brandishing knives and spears. To say I was alarmed is putting it mildly. I walked towards this screaming horde of men, I stuck out my hand, and I heard myself say ‘good afternoon.'” Photo: Chris Young
6. David Attenborough on... Snakes
“I’ve been bitten by a python. It wasn’t a very big one…” Photo: simonshim75 via Canva Pro
7. David Attenborough on... Birds
“Birds were flying from continent to continent long before we were. They reached the coldest place on Earth, Antarctica, long before we did. They can survive in the hottest of deserts. Some can remain on the wing for years at a time. They can girdle the globe. Now, we have taken over the earth and the sea and the sky, but with skill and care and knowledge, we can ensure that there is still a place on Earth for birds in all their beauty and variety – if we want to – and surely, we should.” Photo: idizimage via Canva Pro
8. David Attenborough on... Self-obsession
“It’s extraordinary how self-obsessed human beings are. There is so much more out there than what connects to us.” Photo: Victoria Jones