Be lazy in the garden to help out our wildlife

Winter can be a challenging season for wildlife with harsh weather, low temperatures and much less food around. Scotland’s wild bird and animals can suffer in the cold, and sometimes need a little helping hand. This year, Scottish Natural Heritage’s biodiversity manager Debbie Bassett shares the range of ways to give nature a helping hand…

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Bid to root out invasive species from beauty spot

A Scottish spot of natural beauty is under threat from invasive plant life. Work has begun at Corrieshalloch Gorge near Ullapool, one of eight National Nature Reserves (NNRs) managed by the National Trust for Scotland, to remove Rhododendron ponticum and Japanese knotweed, which have spread in the ravine and downstream along the river Broom. The…

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New pathway funding is helping to make tracks

Many paths across Scotland are to be significantly upgraded in the coming months. Hundreds of volunteers will help Scotland’s walking charity gives out thousands of pounds to a range of community improvement projects. Paths for All has awarded £90,000 worth of grants to 48 groups across Scotland, from South Ayrshire to Angus, who will transform…

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Glenmorangie returns 20,000 oysters to the sea

A total of 20,000 oysters are to be introduced into the sea near Glenmorangie’s Highland home, as part of the single malt whisky’s ground-breaking project to restore oyster reefs fished to extinction a century ago. In pursuit of its vision to enhance the marine biodiversity of the Dornoch Firth, Glenmorangie and its partners last year…

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Why Scotland’s seas need to be protected

A charitably trusts says Scotland’s west coast seas are a global hotspot for cetaceans and basking sharks – and need better protection. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has released a new marine atlas capturing key discoveries made over the past 15 years. The first Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas showcases findings by the charity’s scientists…

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Marking 10 years of restoring the Caledonian Forest

The 10th anniversary of restoring the Caledonian Forest has been celebrated by conservation charity Trees for Life. Its flagship Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston has been carefully looked after for a decade, and also marks an ongoing commitment to investing in the local community. The charity’s supporters and children from Invergarry Primary School attended a…

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Blooming great gardens are all winners

The most attractive gardens in Aberdeen have been revealed this week. From fine-looking flowers to gorgeous greenery, these are the beautiful winners of this year’s Aberdeen in Bloom annual garden competition. The competition rewards and showcases residents and businesses for their contribution to Aberdeen’s stunning floral display which this year is in the finals in…

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Paws for thought – this is music for dogs

A man who’s written songs for Rod Stewart, Westlife, Busted, Cliff Richard and Sandi Thom has turned his hand to something new – music for dogs. Songwriter John McLaughlin, who also appeared as the music coach on BBC’s Fame Academy and being the current manager of the Bay City Rollers, has teamed up with the…

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Hunt for businesses who do their bit for conservation

Scottish businesses know how important the environment is to us all – and we’re looking to hear from the best of them. The Scottish Rural Awards is looking for nominations for the 2019 competition in all of its categories, and today, we highlight the Conservation and Environment sector. The Scottish Rural Awards takes a realistic…

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Explorers wanted to track wildlife in castle grounds

Wildlife watchers are being encouraged to head to an Aberdeenshire castle next week to count up the species at a bioblitz event. The National Trust for Scotland’s Drum Castle is holding the event on Friday, 20 July, and provides a chance for the public to help the conservation charity’s North East Ranger Service capture as…

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