Outdoors
Tiso prepares to ride outdoor activities wave
OUTDOOR equipment retailer Tiso has almost doubled the size of its camping equipment and water sports ranges as travel restrictions for recreation are eased. The Edinburgh-based company has introduced hand sanitiser, distance makers, and capacity restrictions at its stores. The cafés inside its shops in Aviemore, Inverness and Perth also remain open to serve takeaways.…
Read MoreOne small step for Sutherland spaceport
PLANS to launch rockets into space from the Highlands have taken “one small step” forward after The Highland Council granted planning permission. Economic development agency Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been given the green light by councillors to build a “vertical launch spaceport” in Sutherland. Scottish ministers will now have their say on the…
Read MoreA Hume gears up for reopening
COUNTRY clothing specialist A Hume said it is “thrilled” to be reopening the ground floor of its shop at 46 The Square in Kelso on Monday. The upstairs ladieswear department is then due to reopen next Friday. Its shop at 22 Horsemarket will remain closed for the time being, with customers being served at The…
Read MoreFace coverings in gondola as Nevis Ranges eyes return
FOOT passengers and cyclists using the mountain gondola at Nevis Range will be asked to wear face coverings when the outdoor activities centre reopens. The site – which attracts 75% of its visitors between May and September for walks, mountain bike rides and other outdoor activities – expects to welcome visitors back from 15 July.…
Read MoreWork resumes on two iconic Skye tourist sites
VISITORS will be able to enjoy greater access to two of Skye’s iconic sites – once movement restrictions ease – after a pair of maintenance projects got underway again. McGowan, the principal contractor for repairs to 600 metres of footpath at the Old Man of Storr, has been putting stones into bags to be airlifted…
Read MoreScottish Land Fund backs Borders projects
FUNDING to help communities buy land in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway from Buccleuch Estates has been hailed as a “major milestone”. Newcastleton & District Community Trust (NDCT) has received £850,000 from the Scottish Land Fund to buy 750 acres of land on the Tarras Water & Holm Hill Estate. The Langholm Initiative has…
Read MoreTourism firms cry out for help from ministers
Pressure is growing on the Scottish Government to provide further help for tourism businesses – especially in the Highlands – so they can get ready to welcome back visitors. Marc Crothall, chief executive at the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), which represents more than 250 members, has warned that the industry is “on the brink of…
Read MoreHorse trials will gallop back with ‘special’ 2021 event
Organisers of the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials have promised that 2021’s event will be all the more special after being forced to cancel this summer’s meeting due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s event, which had been due to take place on 27-30 August, was cancelled last night. In a joint statement,…
Read MoreAttack of the aliens
People are being urged to get involved in a new lockdown assault on invasive non-native species – whether that’s flora such as Japanese knotweed or fauna such as non-native plant species and American mink – from the comfort of their own homes.
Read MoreFishing set to return
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has welcomed reports that the Scottish Government is set to ease some restrictions on local area angling when it sets out its framework and timetable for changes to lockdown on Thursday.
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