Outdoors
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…
Read MoreTwo Scottish sites on world geology list
TWO sites in Scotland have been included in a list of the world’s most-impressive geology. Siccar Point near Dunbar and the Moine thrust belt in the North-West Highlands each played important roles in furthering scientists’ understanding of how the Earth formed. Both have been recognised by the International Union of Geological Sciences in a list…
Read MoreGreat Borders River Clean makes a splash this weekend
THE Great Borders River Clean returns this weekend for its biannual litter-pick along the region’s waterways. The event has grown to become the largest simultaneous river clean in the UK, with more than 20 towns and villages throughout the Borders taking part. Tom Rawson, the founder of GreenTweed Eco, which aims to link environmental groups…
Read More‘Dàna: Scotland’s Wild Side’ returns to BBC Alba
ADVENTURER Coinneach Rankin returns to BBC Alba tonight for a second series of “Dàna: Scotland’s Wild Side”. The rock climber and runner will climb some of Scotland’s most dramatic mountains during the four-part series. Beginning on the uninhabited island of Mingulay in the Outer Hebrides, Rankin will be joined by fellow climber Nicky Brierley. In…
Read MoreScots take gold at British Farming Awards
SCOTTISH farmers and rural businesses won some of the biggest prizes at last night’s British Farming Awards. More than 800 farmers and their advisors gathered at The Vox venue in Birmingham for a ceremony hosted by television presenter Patrick Kielty. Emma Gray and Ewan Irvine took gold in both the “small or medium diversification of…
Read MoreGolden Shears returns to Scotland
THE Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Wool Handling Championships will return to Scotland next year. The contest will take place on 22-25 June as part of the Royal Highland Show (RHS) at Ingliston near Edinburgh. Contestants from more than 30 countries are expected to take part in the event, with entries closing in January.…
Read MoreScottish brothers complete World Ironman in Hawaii
BROTHERS Jonathan and Stephen Cordiner from Lossiemouth have completed one of the world’s toughest ultra triathlon races – the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii. Jonathan and his wife, Anna, set up Kayleigh’s Wee Stars in 2012 to provide financial support for families with a child who has a terminal illness. He raised money for the…
Read MoreFossils hunters have their say on Scottish Fossil Code
SCOTLAND’S fossil hunters are having their say on the revised Scottish Fossil Code. NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency known previously as Scottish Natural Heritage, published the code in 2008. It’s now being revised, with the next version due to be issued early next year. Katherine Leys, NatureScot’s head of biodiversity and geodiversity, said: “Fossil collecting…
Read MoreScone Palace launches ‘Kids go free’ offer
SCONE Palace will be throwing open its doors to young people tomorrow, with free entry throughout October for all children aged 15 and under. The “Kids go free” offer also covers the palace’s 100 acres of grounds, which include the Murray star maze, a Victorian pinetum, and an adventure playground. Indoors, the palace – which…
Read MoreJackie Bird is new National Trust for Scotland president
TELEVISION presenter Jackie Bird was appointed as president of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) on Saturday. Members of the charity approved her appointment at the trust’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Glasgow. David Mitchell, who convened the AGM as deputy chair of the NTS, said: “Jackie Bird is already a committed friend to the…
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