Firefighting with Scotland’s first female gamekeeping lecturer

Sophie Clark, Scotland’s first female gamekeeping lecturer, shares the story of why she’s also a retained firefighter. I GREW up in the small harbour village of Kinlochbervie in the north west of Sutherland. It was and still is an idyllic place to live and the community is very close-knit. I’ve always known I wouldn’t want…

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Film and TV news round-up: Wildlife, Stella, and more

Lights, camera, action as Peter Ranscombe shares the latest film and television news. A SCOTTISH filmmaker has won the on-screen talent pitching contest at the Wildscreen international wildlife film festival. Libby Penman teamed up with renowned filmmaker Doug Allan to pitch the idea of exploring the wildlife in Fife. “This is an environmental nature investigation…

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Peter Capaldi narrates ‘Riverwoods’ tonight on 5Select

THE relationship between Scotland’s fish and forests will be explored tonight in Riverwoods, a documentary on 5Select narrated by actor Peter Capaldi. Riverwoods, which took three years to produce, was made by Mat Larkin, head of filmmaking at Scotland: The Big Picture. “Over many centuries, the loss of natural woodlands alongside rivers has profoundly changed…

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Experts recommend their favourite autumn walks

A COLLECTION of autumn walks in Scotland has been recommended by the country’s woodland experts. Members of staff from Forestry & Land Scotland, the Scottish Government agency that replaced Forestry Commission Scotland in 2019, were asked to recommend their favourite autumnal routes. Stuart Chalmers, the organisation’s national visitor services manager, said: “Autumn in Scotland is…

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Tobermory Book Festival sets sail on Friday

BROADCASTER Sally Magnusson tops the bill at this year’s Tobermory Book Festival, which begins on Friday on Mull. Food and travel writer Ghillie Basan – who shared recipes in February’s Scottish Field magazine – will host a dinner on the opening night. Fellow foodies Ailidh Forlan and Sally MacColl will also discuss their work over…

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North Berwick and Linlithgow win bloomin’ gold

A PAIR of Scottish towns triumphed at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS’s) Britain in Bloom finals. North Berwick in Bloom won a gold medal and took the title in the “coastal” category. Elizabeth Morris from North Berwick In Bloom was also named as a “community champion”. Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow was presented with gold in the…

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Atlantic Salmon Trust auction is open

THE Atlantic Salmon Trust has launched its annual auction to raise money for research. More than 100 lots are up for grabs, including fishing, shooting, and stalking experiences at some of Scotland’s most exclusive locations. Works of art, clothing, and food and drink are also going under the online hammer. Wild salmon stocks have plunged…

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Four ospreys fledge at Aberdeenshire fishery

FOUR young ospreys are preparing to fly to West Africa for the winter after fledging from Lochter fishery and activity centre near Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire. The fishery has played host to a pair of ospreys each summer for the past 12 years, but they’ve had mixed success with breeding. Buzzards have frequently snatched and eaten…

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Another six golden eagles moved to the south

SIX golden eagles were moved from the Highlands to a secret location in the Borders over the summer during the latest phase of a reintroduction scheme. The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project now estimates that there are around 40 birds in the area – the most for 300 years. The project is now preparing…

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‘End is nigh’ again for capercaillie, warn experts

THE capercaillie could become extinct in Scotland for a second time unless its predators are controlled, according to conservationists. This year’s brood survey by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) found only 300 to 400 birds now live in Scotland, with 90% confined to part of Strathspey. That number has fallen from around 2,200…

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