Britain is frequently cited as the world’s most expensive holiday destination and every year we hear of, or meet, visitors who cannot believe how much they have to pay for everything.

The ideological divide concerning wildlife conservation methods is illustrated by the opinions of the Scottish Gamekeeper’s Association (SGA) and the RSPB.

With Spring now well on the way, it is entirely natural that we start thinking of the great outdoors and getting away from that dull city life. In a country like Scotland there is thankfully no shortage of options in this direction.

If there was one group of people who misjudged almost totally the effects of devolution and the then new Scottish Parliament eight years ago it was the nation’s countryside dwellers.

Commercial salmon netting has a rich history in Scotland and has been practised in rivers, estuaries and the open sea for centuries.

Likened to the sound of a popping Champagne cork, when you hear the call of the capercaillie in Scotland, it is cause for celebration. Amounting to 20,000 in the 1970s, the population fell at an alarming rate, to as few as 1000 in 1999.

Donald Trump has unveiled his ambitious plans for a golf Mecca in the North-east of Scotland, one of several exclusive and high-budget new courses springing up all over the country. These new golf destinations may be welcomed by the tourism industry, but are they good news for the Scottish game and the country as a whole?

A dog’s breakfast’, ‘largely unnecessary’, and a ‘botched bill – criticism of the recent Crofting Bill has been widespread since it was unveiled in March.

The Executive’s Minister for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Ross Finnie, intends to establish Europe’s first Coastal and Marine National Park (CMNP) in Scottish waters by 2008.

Established Scottish deer farms are under threat. Despite their role in producing top quality and exceptionally healthy meat, unlike their English equivalents, they are not supported by government funding – funding that is now being used to undermine their position.

In towns and cities, the competitive rise and fall of fuel prices at the supermarkets and major petrol stations may bring about moans and groans from the urbanites, but it is no great distance or inconvenience to drive to the local petrol station.

The Royal Highland Show has been a colourful and traditional part of Scottish life for over 200 years.

Outside the snow drifts lazily from a leaden sky. The icy temperatures are tempered by the smouldering wood stove in the corner and the smell of strong coffee accompanied by a pall of cigarette smoke, hangs in the air. Six sombre Norwegians sit close to the fire, rarely speaking but always with an eye to the window.

On 12 December 2005, the Scottish Executive received a staggering 12,000 letters objecting to the proposed upgrading of the Beauly to Denny power line from its existing 132kV status to 400kV.

When Vincent Minnelli sent his production team to find the best locations for his musical fantasy Brigadoon, the message was clear – Scotland just ain’t Scottish enough.

Grouse and politicians have a couple of things in common – both species are fickle, somewhat unpredictable and liable to be affected by the current ‘climate’.

The introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act last October has seen a slow realisation by landowners and land managers that they have responsibility to ensure all footpaths open to the public are easily accessible.

In 2001 the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals did a survey with 28 local authorities to assess the problem of stray dogs

The May morning was hot and the tall, straight pines sweated resin. Janis and I plodded along the forest track, waving at mosquitoes and wishing that the neurotic wood sandpipers would pipe down.

A magnificent whirling feature on the wind-swept Pentland Hills reaping a cost-free crop from the windiest country in Europe, producing energy in an environmental friendly way to the grateful folk of Edinburgh.

Now waving grain, far o’er the plain, delights the weary farmer’ is one of the many ways that Robert Burns described a peaceful scene in rural Scotland.