Posts Tagged ‘land’
New records set in 2019 big farmland bird count
Scots farmers have played their part in the best-ever year for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Big Farmland Bird Count. Results show 1,400 people – a 40 per cent increase on last year – recorded 140 species over 1 million acres in the GWCT initiative which took place between 8 and 17 February 2019.…
Read MoreCentre of child literature and stories nears opening
Scotland’s new National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling is welcoming new members of staff aboard ahead of preview activities in May and fully opening its doors on 1 June. Moat Brae, the beautiful Georgian house in Dumfries, is where JM Barrie played the games that inspired Peter Pan. It has been restored and transformed…
Read MoreDrivers prefer the Highlands to Route 66
The Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and Route 66 and are among the dream locations stressed-out Brits would most like to go for a relaxing drive. Research found the average adult spends more than 11-and-a-half days per year (46 mins per day) stressed. And the worries caused by work and personal life mean Brits struggle…
Read MoreHonours presented at the Scottish Rural Awards 2019
A host of Scottish businesses are celebrating after taking home awards at the 2019 Scottish Rural Awards last night (Thursday). Veteran broadcaster and Deacon Blue drummer, Dougie Vipond took to the stage as compere for the evening, hosting over 450 guests and presenting two awards in each of the 11 open categories – a runner-up…
Read More10 Scots who were welcomed to the jungle
Scots get all over the world in the name of science. These heroic explorers risked life and limb to travel around the globe and discover the species of fl ora that make our gardens the beautiful places that they are today 1. Thomas Thomson (1817-1878) When he was only seventeen, Thomson discovered fossil mollusca on…
Read MoreThe whisky distillery that has Royal approval
Lochnagar Distillery was founded in 1845 by John Begg who was granted a long lease of the Lochnagar site by Abergeldie Estate. Queen Victoria first visited Balmoral, half a mile away from the distillery, in 1848. John Begg invited Prince Albert to visit, knowing how keen he is “to make himself acquainted with all things…
Read MoreScots property firm in merger with English business
Leading independent rural property consultancy Galbraith and specialised rural estate management company Land Factor today announced the two firms are to merge. Galbraith is a long-established company with particular expertise in the rural estate market, acting for clients in Scotland, the UK and internationally. Land Factor provides land management services from its offices in Northumberland…
Read MoreThe story of Gigha – from pre-historic until today
Just off the Kintyre peninsula lies the small island of Gigha, the most southerly Hebridean isle. Due to a mild climate, fertile land and an advantageous geographical location, Gigha harbours an interesting history. This book takes the reader on a journey of the inhabitants of the island, starting from the settlers of pre-historic times to…
Read MoreArctic expedition to remember a Scots explorer
John Rae is one of Scotland’s greatest explorers – and the chances are, you’ve never heard of him. But there are plans afoot to ensure that situation changes, thanks to a team of four volunteers who are heading off on an Arctic expedition next week. West Lothian’s Richard Smith is part of the Arctic Return…
Read MoreIs the badger really public enemy number one?
Attacked on all sides, and the victim of government-sponsored culls as well as unimaginable brutality at the hands of criminal gangs, the badger faces a difficult future. It’s a sunny afternoon in a bramble thicket deep in Perthshire woodland. A robin appears and cocks his head in our direction, turning over the newly disturbed leaf…
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