Removing Japanese Knotweed is not an easy process

One of the – literal – growing problems in Scotland is Japanese Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed is one of the toughest, most damaging and insidious plants in the world. There’s even an old wives’ tale about this weed growing so menacingly, that it can ‘creep over cat’s feet.’ It’s also challenging to eradicate and can grow…

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Green turns to gold as holiday parks bag nine awards

It’s been a good month for Argyll Holidays, who came out on top at this year SOLAs and received a gold David Bellamy Conservation Award for seven of its holiday parks across the Argyll Forest. The holiday park operator beat off stiff competition at the Scottish Outdoor and Leisure Awards, taking home the Best Holiday…

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A beautiful country house with prime fishing spot

A grand country house on the riverbank with a prime stretch of fishing is now on the market. Presented by Stutt and Parker, Waterstone House and Fishings, in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, is for sale as a whole, or in two lots. Lot one is Waterstone House, and is for sale for offers over £1,100,000. This is…

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An attractive home in a much-wanted area

A traditional 1930s detached house with mature gardens in a sought after residential area is now on the market. Presented to the market by Bell Ingram,  Hillway in Murray Place is understood to date from the 1930s although additional window bays were added to the two public rooms at a later date. Murray Place is…

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A spirited partnership hits its first decade

A bird protection charity and a whisky brand are this year marking a decade of conservation work. RSPB Scotland and The Famous Grouse are celebrating 10 years of wildlife conservation work this month and announce further plans to continue to protect the enigmatic black grouse that takes centre stage on the new design of The…

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Nature-depleted Scotland needs new era of rewilding

A sticking plaster approach to conservation is failing Scotland’s wildlife – and species such as red squirrel, wild cat and capercaillie are declining or on the edge of extinction. The only thing that can help save them all is a new era of massive rewilding is needed, according to a landmark new book from Trees…

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There’s so much class in this A-Listed property

An outstanding A Listed manse dating from 1590 has been brought to the Scottish property market. Offered for sale by Galbraith, Melville Manse is thought to date from 1590 when the house was built on land donated by the Laird of Anstruther. The property is believed to have become the Manse of Anstruther Easter in 1713…

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Restored mansion has its own loch and boathouse

An outstanding Edwardian mansion house restored to perfection is on the property market. Presented to the market by Savills, Tilliecorthie Mansion House in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, has been fully refurbished and such meticulous attention to detail is rare indeed. Originally built in 1911 for mining tycoon James Duncan, the house sits within a stunning gated and…

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Delicious scallops with smoked salmon fritters

As a child Steve McCallum would spend time on the west coast of Scotland with his uncle, a lobster fisherman in Tarbert, bringing in the creels and aquiring a taste for fresh food. ‘I still have a fondness for those early memories of eating fish and shellfish, especially the difference it makes to eat something…

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Bid to root out invasive species from beauty spot

A Scottish spot of natural beauty is under threat from invasive plant life. Work has begun at Corrieshalloch Gorge near Ullapool, one of eight National Nature Reserves (NNRs) managed by the National Trust for Scotland, to remove Rhododendron ponticum and Japanese knotweed, which have spread in the ravine and downstream along the river Broom. The…

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