Outdoors
Young people to create rural ‘smart village’
SCOTLAND is preparing to create the world’s first “smart village” dedicated to young people who have connections to rural areas. A “smart village” brings together both physical and digital communities. Young people are being invited to a focus group on 10 September to talk about setting up a smart village with the Rural Youth Project…
Read MoreAberfoyle’s lodge marks 60th birthday
A VISITORS’ centre in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is marking its 60th anniversary. Opened in August 1960 as David Marshall Lodge, the centre is now simply known as “The Lodge” and has become one of Aberfoyle’s most-popular tourist attractions. The lodge was named originally after the chairman of the Carnegie UK Trust, which provided…
Read MoreReview: Vango Palm Air Low Awning
MAKING the most of the last few weekends of summer is sure to be front and centre in the minds of many campers and campervaners as we approach the darker nights and damper days of autumn. Ensuring that the final adventures of 2020 are as comfortable as possible has been ably assisted by the addition…
Read MoreNational Trust for Scotland launches walking campaign
THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has launched a walking campaign to raise money for its sites. Its “Stride out for Scotland” initiative aims to encourage people to take more exercise while fundraising for the charity. The latest move is part of its wider “Save our Scotland” campaign, which has so far raised £2 million…
Read MoreFairways from heaven
Editor Richard Bath visits the outstanding Dumbarnie Links in Fife, that rarest of things – a new golf course that lives up to the hype. I TRAVELLED to Fife determined not to be swayed by the hype surrounding Dumbarnie, but came away as an ardent evangelist for this astonishingly good new course on the banks…
Read MoreCould soil be used to capture carbon dioxide?
FARMERS are carrying out experiments to find out if they can use their soils to trap harmful carbon dioxide from the air. The project, known as “Rock On Soils”, involves putting crushed rocks into the soil. The silicates in the crushed rock are then expected to combine with carbon dioxide, which is a major cause…
Read MoreTattie supplier Branston in virtual round the world fundraiser
MEMBERS of staff from Perthshire potato packer Branston began a virtual round the world trip over the weekend to raise money for the Rachel House hospice. The fundraisers aim to walk, run, cycle and canoe “around the world” in 80 days. The challenge continues until 26 October, with participants aiming to cover 300 miles each…
Read MoreScottish Game Fair cancelled
THE organisers of the Scottish Game Fair have cancelled this year’s event. The gathering at Scone Palace had been shifted from July to October but has now been cancelled. Next year’s show is due to take place on 2-4 July. Hugo Straker, chairman of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, said:…
Read MoreFamilies tune in for online farm tours
MORE than 10,000 families have tuned in to watch live online tours of Scotland’s farms during lockdown. Almost 100 farmers have guided virtual visitors around their sites via the Go Rural Facebook page. Their “Welcome to my Farm” videos followed on from 14 farmers streaming two weeks of “lambathon” during the spring from their lambing…
Read MoreKeeping children engaged with the great outdoors
During lockdown, many families have found the time to reconnect with the outdoors. Now that restrictions are starting to ease, conservation expert Jeff Waddell explains why it’s important that families continue to explore nature together and gives advice on how to keep young ones engaged with the great outdoors. THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS)…
Read More