Outdoors
Controlled burning call to prevent wildfires
LAND managers are calling on the Scottish Government to support controlled burning to help prevent wildfires. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), the body that represents rural businesses and land managers, said 440 wildfires have been reported in the UK this week, in both rural and urban areas. The organisation said that controlled burning would reduce…
Read More‘Paws at the Palace’ returns to Scone
SCONE will host its “Paws at the Palace” event for dogs and their owners again on 4 September. The event will include games, parades, agility classes, and demonstrations. Other attractions will include cool-down areas, stalls selling gifts and gear, and food stalls – for both dogs and humans. According to data from Booking.com, Perth and…
Read MoreAberfoyle opens UK’s first marked gravel cycle trails
BIKE Trossachs, a community interest company in Aberfoyle, is todoy opening the UK’s first waymarked gravel cycling routes. The 10km, 20km, and 30km trails begin and end in the centre of Aberfoyle, taking in Loch Ard Forest, Loch Ard, and Loch Chon along the way. Enda McLoughlin, chair of Bike Trossachs, said: “We have seen…
Read MoreGalloway Country Fair: performing pigs and leaping sheep
THE Galloway Country Fair will include “performing pigs, fence leaping sheep, beautiful birds of prey, and dogs of all kinds”, according to its organisers. Events planned for 20 and 21 August at Drumlanrig Castle include the “Lamb National”, which involves a small flock of Herdwick sheep – complete with teddy bear jockeys, with names such…
Read MoreSunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies
VETS are advising owners to stick to “sunscreen, shade, and sunset walkies” during the heatwave. Owners are advised not to take their dogs for a walk during the day. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat, and are vulnerable to over-heating. Flat-faced breeds – such as English or French bulldogs and pugs – are at even greater…
Read MoreSea pool aims to put Arbroath back on the map
PLANS for a sea pool aim to promote Arbroath as a holiday destination once more. The Angus town hosted vast numbers of visitors from the Central Belt for their summer holidays between the 1930s and 1960s, including comedian Billy Connolly. Yet the popularity of foreign package holidays dented the popularity of many seaside resorts, including…
Read MoreClimber Alasdair McKenzie aims for 14 highest peaks
CLIMBER Alasdair McKenzie, who was taught to ski in the Cairngorms by his Scottish father, aims to reach the summit of all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in the Himalayas. McKenzie, 18, has already climbed two of the peaks, Makalu and Lhotse. He became the youngest person to reach the summit of Lhotse, the fourth…
Read MoreGet the lowdown on Scottish Field’s August issue…
THE August issue of Scottish Field magazine is available now, both in shops and online. Shetland and Orkney take centre-stage this month, with four articles about the Northern Isles. Orkney-based landscape photographer Mark Ferguson shares his favourite island snaps, many of which he took while cycling. Meanwhile, Andrew Appleby – better known as the Harray…
Read MoreSt Andrews gears up for The Open
GOLF’S Open championship returns to its spiritual home in St Andrews next week and the Fife town is gearing up for the tournament’s 150th anniversary. Government agency Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has reopened parts of the graveyard surrounding the ruins of St Andrews cathedral, so tourists can visit the graves of two of golf’s most…
Read MoreJoe Wicks hits Scone Palace and Thirlestane Castle
TELEVISION star Joe Wicks will visit Thirlestane Castle in Lauder and Scone Palace near Perth next month as part of his exercise show tour. The fitness expert, dubbed “the nation’s PE teacher” after running online exercise classes during the pandemic lockdowns, will run lessons in Lauder on 5 August and at Scone the following day.…
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