Outdoors
Aberdeen wins seven Green Flag Awards
ENVIRONMENTAL charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has presented seven Green Flag Awards to Aberdeen. Duthie Park won its tenth green flag in a row, while Garthdee Field Allotments, Hazlehead Park, Johnston Gardens, Seaton Park, Slopefield Allotments, and Victoria Park were also rewarded. Councillor Miranda Radley, convener of Aberdeen City Council’s operational delivery committee, said: “As a…
Read MoreCabrach Games return after 87-year gap
THE Cabrach Games and picnic are returning on Sunday following a 87-year hiatus. The gathering was a staple on the Highland Games circuit between 1877 and 1935. Yet a fall in the local population between the two world wars led to the games coming to an end. The Cabrach in Moray was once home to…
Read MoreControlled burning call to prevent wildfires
LAND managers are calling on the Scottish Government to support controlled burning to help prevent wildfires. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the body that represents rural businesses and land managers, said 440 wildfires have been reported in the UK this week, in both rural and urban areas. The organisation said that controlled burning would reduce…
Read More‘Paws at the Palace’ returns to Scone
SCONE will host its “Paws at the Palace” event for dogs and their owners again on 4 September. The event will include games, parades, agility classes, and demonstrations. Other attractions will include cool-down areas, stalls selling gifts and gear, and food stalls – for both dogs and humans. According to data from Booking.com, Perth and…
Read MoreAberfoyle opens UK’s first marked gravel cycle trails
BIKE Trossachs, a community interest company in Aberfoyle, is todoy opening the UK’s first waymarked gravel cycling routes. The 10km, 20km, and 30km trails begin and end in the centre of Aberfoyle, taking in Loch Ard Forest, Loch Ard, and Loch Chon along the way. Enda McLoughlin, chair of Bike Trossachs, said: “We have seen…
Read MoreGalloway Country Fair: performing pigs and leaping sheep
THE Galloway Country Fair will include “performing pigs, fence leaping sheep, beautiful birds of prey, and dogs of all kinds”, according to its organisers. Events planned for 20 and 21 August at Drumlanrig Castle include the “Lamb National”, which involves a small flock of Herdwick sheep – complete with teddy bear jockeys, with names such…
Read MoreSunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies
VETS are advising owners to stick to “sunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies” during the heatwave. Owners are advised not to take their dogs for a walk during the day. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat, and are vulnerable to over-heating. Flat-faced breeds – such as English or French bulldogs and pugs – are at even greater…
Read MoreSea pool aims to put Arbroath back on the map
PLANS for a sea pool aim to promote Arbroath as a holiday destination once more. The Angus town hosted vast numbers of visitors from the Central Belt for their summer holidays between the 1930s and 1960s, including comedian Billy Connolly. Yet the popularity of foreign package holidays dented the popularity of many seaside resorts, including…
Read MoreClimber Alasdair McKenzie aims for 14 highest peaks
CLIMBER Alasdair McKenzie, who was taught to ski in the Cairngorms by his Scottish father, aims to reach the summit of all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in the Himalayas. McKenzie, 18, has already climbed two of the peaks, Makalu and Lhotse. He became the youngest person to reach the summit of Lhotse, the fourth…
Read MoreGet the lowdown on Scottish Field’s August issue…
THE August issue of Scottish Field magazine is available now, both in shops and online. Shetland and Orkney take centre-stage this month, with four articles about the Northern Isles. Orkney-based landscape photographer Mark Ferguson shares his favourite island snaps, many of which he took while cycling. Meanwhile, Andrew Appleby – better known as the Harray…
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