More than two tons of rubbish pulled from Borders rivers

The second Great Borders River Clean at the weekend was a huge success despite the weather and high river levels. More than 450 volunteers collected more than two tons of rubbish. This was a remarkable amount considering that most of the heavy items like car tyres and scrap metal are still under several feet of…

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Scotland’s sealife at heart of whale and dolphin watch

Scotland played a major part in the Sea Watch Foundation’s 2019 National Whale and Dolphin Watch event. The survey revealed striking biodiversity with an impressive 13 species of cetaceans seen around the British Isles. This was a number which has only been recorded twice before in the history of the event. The total number of…

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Ramblers Scotland names its first woman president

Blogger and mountain leader Lucy Wallace will become the first woman president of Ramblers Scotland, the walking charity has announced. Lucy is a professional wildlife guide and outdoor instructor who holds the Winter, Summer and International Mountain Leader awards. She is an accredited Duke of Edinburgh’s Award assessor, working with schools and young people on…

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Call for music inspired by Scotland’s nature

A new national contest has been launched, calling on musicians of all genres – whether rock, rap, folk, classical or anything in between – to show their love of nature by writing music inspired by the coasts and waters of Scotland’s beautiful nature reserves. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Fèis Rois have partnered up on…

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A year as the ethical carnivore comes full circle

Louise Gray looks back at what she learned in a year only eating animals she had killed herself. The stag was lying down, his face turned towards me, his chin almost resting on the ground, having a wee midday snooze. ‘Go for his neck,’ said the stalker. ‘I can’t,’ I said. ‘It’s hidden. I’ll have…

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Animal magic that’s rescuing thousands of creatures

Thousands of maltreated and injured creatures, great and small, are restored to health each year at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife. It’s usually the plight of red squirrels and wildcats that makes the headlines, but the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Scottish SPCA), makes it its business to…

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Dog owners pledge to remove over 22 million pieces of litter

An environmental group from Stonehaven has received huge international support in its bid to clean up on plastic. More than 15,000 dog owners have joined the ranks of the Paws on Plastic campaign. The group of dog owners pledge to pick up a couple of pieces of litter on every walk, every day, removing over…

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The perfect device to help you go nature spotting

Swarovski Optik has announced the launch of their exciting new product, the dG (digital guide). This is the first long-range optical device that allows nature enthusiasts to easily observe, identify and share sightings of birds and other animals. Available to purchase from April, the Swarovski Optik dG promises to make the challenge of identifying and…

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Fun, conservation, art and education at Dawyck

While stormy weather has heralded the start of season for Dawyck Botanic Garden, near Stobo, in the Scottish Borders, the coming months offer an array of events, exhibitions and conservation highlights. Dawyck is traditionally a key place to visit for the Scottish Snowdrop Festival and this year is no exception with swathes of Galanthus lining…

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Scots distillery to auction cask for Australian crisis

Lindores Abbey Distillery will auction one of its exclusive Australian casks to raise money for the victims of the devastating Australian wild fires this week. The cask, a 300L LPA American Hogshead, was previously filled with Australian De Bortoli 15 y/o Muscat and will be auctioned online through Whisky Auctioneer who have generously waived their…

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