Outdoors
Tourism 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.
Read MoreSuccess for birdwatchers’ mobile app
Just a year after its launch, more than 10,000 users have downloaded the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club’s free mobile app, Where to Watch Birds in Scotland.
Read MorePoaching and vandalism rise
After several unsavoury incidents of poaching and vandalism – including £30,000 of damage when a pheasant shoot was deliberately destroyed, the vandalising of high seats, poaching at a Kinross fishery, and the arrest of two men for illegal fishing in Kelso – game shoots and fisheries are being warned to be extra vigilant during lockdown.…
Read MoreTonic for the Troops
One Scottish farmer is doing his best to provide some respite from the relentless bad news about the coronavirus – with a little help from some of his four-legged friends…
Read MoreShots of the day
Remember the great outdoors? We do, and so do the North Highland Initiative, who have unveiled their ‘Highland Time’ campaign, which is a virtual tour of the North Highlands to enjoy from the comfort of your home.
Read MoreTaking the well-trodden path to the veg patch
Archie Hume of A Hume Country Clothing on falling for gardening in your middle years. It would be true to say that in my case, the apple has not fallen far from the tree. It was never my plan for it to be like that – it wasn’t like I was conscious of falling and…
Read MoreFlexibility needed for rural job retention
Limitations in the coronavirus job retention scheme is one of the chief concerns of rural companies during the Covid-19 crisis, Scottish Land & Estates has said. The rural business organisation has conducted a survey of members across Scotland to find out what proactive measures are being put in place by companies – and what issues…
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