Number of critically-endangered capercaillie increases

Numbers of critically-endangered capercaillie have increased for the first time in eight years. The birds are on the verge of extinction in Scotland with numbers having decreased by more than 50% in the last five years. The latest national survey (2021/2022) estimated there are only 542 capercaillie left in Scotland. But the latest lek count…

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Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont shares his favourite cycling routes

Record-breaking Scottish cyclist and adventurer Mark Beaumont has shared his favourite cycling routes at National Trust for Scotland’s places. The globe-trotting adventurer has urged cyclists to follow new guidance from NTS to help it protect the landscapes and nature in its care ‘Cycling is the perfect mode of transport to explore some of the National…

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Listen to the Land returns to Scottish Game Fair

This year’s Scottish Game Fair will see the return of ‘Listen to the Land’ featuring stories and discussions about Scotland’s heritage. Following its success last year, the event will take place at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair which runs in the grounds of Scone Palace, Perthshire from 30 June to 2 July. Listen to the…

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Top most Instagrammable lochs in Scotland revealed

Loch Ness has been named the most Instagrammable Scottish loch according to new research. To help find some more Scottish cycling spots to enjoy this summer, Jorvik Tricycles has looked at the number of Instagram hashtags used for every loch in Scotland as well as their cycling compatibility to determine the most Instagrammable lochs. Loch…

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What’s on: a look at events coming up in June

Graduate Exhibition World-renowned furniture school, The Chippendale International School of Furniture, is hosting its 38th annual Graduate Exhibition & Fine Furniture Sale this month. The event will showcase a range of fine furniture crafted by students graduating from this year’s Professional Course. On the 2022/23 course are 30 talented students from around the world, including India, Chile, Thailand, Norway, Saudi…

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Take a look at the top five bikepacking routes in Scotland

For round-the-world cyclist Markus Stitz bikepacking is the purest way to discover Scotland off the beaten track. An evolution of cycle touring, bikepacking sees riders head out with everything they’ll need to spend the night strapped to their bike. And few know more about it than Markus who founded Bikepacking Scotland after becoming the first…

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Mountaineering Scotland Awards winners unveiled

THE winners of this year’s Mountaineering Scotland Awards have been named. The Mountaineering Scotland Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Ian Rendall, of the Orkney Climbing Club, at the YCS Grand Final at RockStar Climbing in Swindon. The ClimbScotland Young Climber of the Year Award went to Jamie Lowther from the Cairngorms Geckos…

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Cairngorms star in new Markus Stitz bike film

A NEW film about a 165-mile bike journey through the Cairngorms has been released online for free. The film, made by biking veteran and author Markus Stitz, documents the connection between the environment of the national park and its residents, along with the businesses they run. “Home Is Where The Trails Take You” captures a…

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Wildlife news round-up: Rewilding, capercaillie, and more

Peter Ranscombe rounds-up the latest wildlife news from Scotland. A MIXED picture has emerged from Scotland’s national nature reserves (NNRs) this season, with bird flu decimating great skuas – or bonxies – and gannets at Noss on Shetland, with kittiwake  and Arctic terns fairing better. Terns of all varieties – Arctic, common, little, and sandwich…

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