Scottish rural life honoured at Helping It Happen Awards

Soft fruit co-operative Angus Growers were among 11 Scottish businesses honoured at this year’s Helping It Happen Awards. The awards, organised by Scottish Land & Estates, recognise contributions to Scotland’s rural life.  Angus Growers, which comprises 16 soft fruit producers, mainly from Angus, Perthshire and Fife, received the coveted Innovation in Farming Award, for their…

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Help prevent dog attacks on livestock this Easter

Dog-walkers, land managers and farmers can work together to reduce the risk of attacks on livestock during Easter and beyond. Scottish Land & Estates, which represents rural businesses, said it was crucial to minimise the risk of dog attacks when the lambing season was underway and the countryside was welcoming visitors and walkers across Scotland.…

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Horses must be given more attention on the roads

An estimated three million horse riders in the UK use public roads, so it is inevitable that accidents will happen. But is enough being done to prevent them? Recent figures reveal an alarming trend. The British Horse Society (BHS) has received more than 2,000 reports of road traffic incidents involving horses in the last five…

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Police to train specialists in wildlife crime

New police training to detect and investigate instances of wildlife crime has been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates. Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham MSP has announced that Police Scotland has today (Monday 20 January) launched a new wildlife crime investigators course to enhance capability in this complex area of local policing. It comes after a…

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Questions over 3 month delay on missing hen harrier

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has revealed a hen harrier has gone missing in suspicious circumstances. The RSPB have raised concerns after disappearance of Skylar near a grouse moor in South Lanarkshire, and described the area as a ‘black hole’ for birds of prey. The RSPB say the satellite transmitter attached to…

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A new face joins Scottish Land and Estates

Scottish Land & Estates has appointed a new adviser to its policy team to further enhance services to members and engagement with government and stakeholders. Marcelina Hamilton has this week joined the Musselburgh HQ to work on property and business issues such as housing, energy efficiency, rates and wayleaves. Following time spent in London working…

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Keep your dog under control in lambing season

Dog walkers are being urged to keep their pets on a lead if they are near sheep in the coming weeks. Having respect for farming and crofting enterprises by acting responsibly with dogs this spring is a must. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is very clear when it comes to the responsibilities that dog owners…

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Rural business resilient – but need Brexit certainty

Scottish Land & Estates has set out its key concerns for land-based businesses in Scotland after last night’s Brexit vote. The House of Commons rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s plans for Brexit, leading to concerns that Britain could leave the European Union without any deals in place. This would have an effect on Scottish businesses,…

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