Nature farm picks up environmental award

The winner of the Cairngorms Nature Farm Award has been revealed at the Grantown Show. This special award rewards farmers or crofters who have made a substantial contribution to the natural environment around them. This year the winner is Lynbreck Croft, near Grantown-on-Spey. The owners received a plaque as recognition for their good work as…

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Mountain and sea festival returns for its third outing

The Torridon Mountain and Sea Festival in the Scottish Highlands is returning for its third year next month. This thriving festival was established by Dan and Rohaise Rose-Bristow, owners of The Torridon Resort in Wester Ross, and will run from 27-29 September. Taking place amidst a palette of autumn colours sweeping across the hills and…

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Property market took a beasting from poor weather

The Ayrshire property market was hit by the Beast from the East earlier this year, causing a significant slowdown in house sales. However, the sector is bouncing back after very poor weather earlier this year, according to independent property consultancy Galbraith. The firm has published its Ayrshire sales report for the second quarter of 2018…

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A variety of sealife recorded in Scotland’s waters

The waters of Scotland are a stronghold for sealife, according to the 2018 National Whale and Dolphin Watch event. Thousands of volunteers from all around the British Isles took part in the event, conducted between 28 July and 5 August, and their work has revealed the striking biodiversity of Britain’s whales, dolphins and porpoises. Organised…

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Squirrel crossing is helping to save so many lives

We’ve all heard of zebra and pelican crossings but in the Highlands of Scotland, there’s a new innovation – the squirrel crossing! This specially designed rope bridge is slung between trees high over a Highlands road is giving red squirrels a safe crossing. Camera footage has revealed regular use of the bridge by the charismatic…

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Chef-patron urges us all to grow our own food

Today marks the start of National Allotment Week in the UK. No longer are allotments seen as something that is reserved for retirement but instead they are being utilised by individuals and communities. With people becoming more aware of mass food production and their own diets and health, more and more green spaces are being…

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Celebrating 40 years of the Beechgrove Garden

For 40 years, the team at the Beechgrove Garden have been advising us on how to keep our gardens in shape. It has been a perennial fixture on the mantlepiece of Scottish life since 1978. To celebrate, BBC Scotland is to screen The Beechgrove Garden Story next Sunday, 19 August. Old video tapes have been…

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Outlander inspired trips to 17th and 18th century Scotland

Jacobites will descend on Fort George this weekend as the Outlander-inspired Kings and Clansmen event takes place for the first time. The Jacobite soldiers will share their stories on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 August, based on the tales that inspired the Outlander novels. Visitors will travel through the history of the risings as they…

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Blair Castle horse trials will draw worldwide visitors

Over 45,000 people and 1800 horses are expected to journey to Blair Castle in Perthshire next week. They will be attending the annual Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials, taking place between Thursday 23 and Sunday 26 August. Visitors will travel from across the globe to watch an estimated 1800 horses compete. Scotland’s premier…

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Estate’s reward for commitment to best practice

A Scottish estate has been presented with a prestigious award recognising its outstanding work on wildlife, habitat and conservation management. Glenbervie Estate in Kincardineshire received its Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation at the Turriff Show on Monday. Alastair Macphie, owner of Glenbervie, received the certification from Scottish Land & Estates’ North East chairman David Fyffe.…

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