Working in the garden good for mental health

Britain’s gardeners value time spent outdoors more highly for their mental wellbeing than as a source of exercise. That’s according to research conducted by Quilter Cheviot Investment Management, headline sponsors of BBC Countryfile Live. Nearly nine out of ten (88%) respondents agreed that gardens provide a good space for mental wellbeing. This was more important…

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Finding fantastic floral fragrances and colours

Now that summer is finally here and daylight hours are at their longest, the garden will be putting on an exuberant burst of growth and flower. It is important to find time to relax outdoors enjoying your garden’s rich tapestry of colour and fragrance. Here, Louise Golden, resident plant expert at Dobbies Garden Centre, gives…

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Top tips to make your garden feline friendly

Scottish cat lovers have been given some top tips to ensure their moggies make the most of their gardens this summer. With the growing season around the corner, Cats Protection has compiled its top tips to help Scottish cat lovers create the perfect feline-friendly garden. The charity, which will be attending this year’s Gardening Scotland…

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Beware of fire risks if you’re in the great outdoors

Scottish Natural Heritage is warning visitors to the countryside who are having a barbecue to be careful of the risk of fire. People should be particularly careful with campfires, cigarette disposal, and throw-away barbecues, says SNH. There is currently a fire danger warning in place in the north east, south east and central Scotland, with…

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A relaxed getaway in beautiful, romantic Scotland

SPONSORED CONTENT. It is hard to imagine a more romantic setting. Inspired by the natural curves of a seashell, this breath-taking architect designed holiday cottage on the west coast of Scotland is certainly in a league of its own. Set amongst the stunning scenery on The Ardnamurchan peninsula, The Seashell is a very special luxury…

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Book review: RHS Genealogy for Gardeners

  What’s the story? We’re finally starting to see signs of summer, and the gardens are in full bloom at last! If you’re a budding gardener, or just want to learn more about the beautiful greenery around you, Dr Ross Bayton and Simon Maughan will guide you through everything there is to know about plants.…

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There’s far more to school than being in class

Research by the University of Edinburgh suggests that learning experiences outside the classroom can have life-long benefits. In recent years there has been growing debate about the value of out-of-classroom experiences designed to ‘build character’. Some academics have questioned their long-term effectiveness since there are no school-based studies which follow the progress of the participants…

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Get ready for a fantastic month in your garden

May is a fabulous month in the garden. Trees and shrubs burst into leaf and flower, cottage garden plants fill borders with their exuberant growth and containers bloom with vibrant summer colours ready for longer days enjoyed outdoors. Here, Louise Golden, senior plant buyer at Dobbies Garden Centre, gives her top tips to make the…

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See Paddington, Star Wars and Casablanca for free – outdoors!

Three days of free films in the great outdoors are coming to Edinburgh next month. Edinburgh International Film Festival and Essential Edinburgh’s immensely popular free open-air cinema event, Film Fest in the City with Mackays, is set to return to St Andrew Square Garden this summer, with the Festival announcing a jam-packed line-up of free…

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Nature in the focus at Cairngorms family weekend

Scots are being encouraged to get into the great outdoors and enjoy fun for all the family at the Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend. Running from 11-13 May, it will be a park-wide celebration where people can get first-hand experience of some of the outstanding wildlife that lives and grows in the Cairngorms National Park. There…

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