Outdoors
The perfect blend: whisky casks are being repurposed to create bike accessories
Old whisky casks are being ‘rescued’ and repurposed to create bike accessories – with some iconic barrels dating back to 1963. Family-run Cask Finery, based in East Lothian, are transforming Scotch whisky-soaked barrels into bicycle handlebar end plugs. The firm has produced a special edition batch of 100 accessories handcrafted from a rare cask used…
Read MoreWorld sheep shearing champions crowned at Royal Highland Show
The world’s top sheep shearing talent have battled it out at the Royal Highland Show – with 30 countries competing for the top prizes this year. The Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championships is the pinnacle for shearers and wool handlers, with teams coming from as far afield as Chile, South Africa and…
Read MoreRunning up that hill: The spaniels climbing Scotland’s highest mountains
Meet the two adorable spaniels climbing Scotland’s highest mountains – with more than 250 scaled in less than two years. Pooches Hugo, aged six, and Spencer, aged three, have bagged 268 of Scotland’s 282 Munros – mountains over 3,000 feet high. Owner Hollie Jenkins, 27, began hiking the Munros with her faithful dogs in 2021…
Read MoreCheeky barn owl spotted retreating to rabbit hole to escape noisy brood
Sometimes we all need a bit of peace and quiet. But gamekeepers in the Lammermuirs were astonished when this male barn owl was spotted retreating to a disused rabbit hole everyday for some downtime away from his chicks. The owl is father to a brood of chicks nesting 200 yards down the valley in a…
Read MoreScots adventurer to attempt record-breaking kayaking voyage in Arctic
The Arctic’s Northwest Passage is steeped in mystery and tragedy. The beguiling sea route, which connects Europe to Asia, has claimed the lives of many of those brave enough to have attempted it. Weaving amongst the hostile Canadian arctic archipelagos over the top of the world, it has captured the imagination of Europe’s foremost explorers…
Read MoreTop Scottish beaches revealed for family days out
With Scotland enjoying a heatwave many of us are looking to head to the beach. And thanks to Visit Scotland, we are taking a look at the best ones for a family day out, watching the sunset, having a picnic, or spotting some wildlife. Top beaches for a family day out Edinburgh, Portobello Beach:…
Read MoreAirBnB for outdoor equipment could be the future for adventure sports
A former soldier has created an AirBnB for outdoor equipment and said it could revolutionise the adventure sports industry. The brainchild of Bruce Leishman, and his childhood best friend Ewan Black, KitUp gives people the chance to hire outdoor equipment from surfing and skiing to biking and camping. Bruce, 32, hopes the idea will help…
Read MoreDad tackles West Highland Way in just 48 hours to raise money for charity
A dad has raised more than £2,500 for charity after taking on the West Highland Way in just 48 hours. Dr Nick Hesford completed the arduous 96-mile hike in just two days to raise money for PND Borders, a local charity providing essential support to families affected by postnatal depression. PND Borders has been a…
Read MoreNearly £1m in funding for extra rangers at nature hot spots this summer
Scotland’s nature hot spots will benefit from extra rangers this summer after receiving nearly £1million in funding. The NatureScot Better Places funding will go directly to 24 countryside, coast and island projects enabling an additional 62 staff to be employed. The extra ‘boots on the ground’ help manage visitor pressure in hotspots like Shetland, Glencoe,…
Read MoreWorld-class community outdoor cycling circuit to open in Linlithgow
A £1.25m world-class community outdoor cycling circuit is set to open in Linlithgow. The West Lothian Cycle Circuit, which has been supported by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Katie Archibald and Ben Rowlings is a 10 year vision from the local community. Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Maree Todd on will…
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