Outdoors
Dark skies: Top tips for star gazing in Scotland this winter
With the longer nights drawing in, astronomer Dr Alastair Bruce takes us through Scotland’s marvellous dark skies and shares his top tips for stargazing. Autumn brings with it longer nights and darker skies in Scotland. Rural inhabitants will be better able to take advantage of these darker skies, enjoying reduced light pollution compared to city-bound…
Read MoreMeet the aspiring teenaged shepherdess
Meet 14-year-old Hayley MacDonald who hopes to become a shepherdess after she hand reared two adorable lambs – and got a sheepdog. Hayley, who lives in Friockheim, Angus, with her foster carers Alison Yates and husband Ron, fell in love with sheep after working at Hunthill Estate through an Estates that Educate course last year.…
Read MoreWhat a beauty: Moth on brink of extinction found flying at Scottish site
A moth on the brink of extinction in Britain has been found flying in the Highlands following breeding efforts to boost its dwindling population. Due to habitat loss, the dark bordered beauty moth is only found at three locations across Britain, with two in Scotland and one in England. Last year the Royal Zoological Society of…
Read MoreThe Long Rider: ‘I trekked across Scotland on horseback and it was a dream come true’
They were once important companions before being replaced by machinery. But one adventurer is hoping to show that horses can still bring people together – one trek at a time. Long rider Louis Hall, founder of charity the Big Hoof which raises money for charities through horseback challenges, has recently completed his latest ride. He…
Read MoreBiggest search for Nessie – from home
THIS weekend will mark the largest search for the Loch Ness Monster – with Nessie hunters taking part from their homes around the world. The search on 26 and 27 August is billed as the largest for more than 50 years. A global audience is taking part thanks to video cameras set up along the…
Read MoreEdinburgh Riding of the Marches returns
THE Edinburgh Riding of the Marches will return on 10 September following a three-year gap. The event traces its roots to the historic riding of the boundaries – or “marches” – of the city, which dates back to 1579. The practice died out after 1718 but was revived in 1946 to mark the end of…
Read MoreScottish Smallholder Festival to host pig show
THE Scottish Pig Show will form part of this year’s Scottish Smallholder Festival. The festival is due to take place at the Royal Highland Centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh on 14 October. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), and so the festival’s organisers hope the “turnout…
Read MoreWee beasties: Incredible macro photographs of Scots insects
IT WAS in an unassuming park in Glasgow during lockdown that David Hamilton tried out macro photography for the first time. The photographs are typically close-ups of bugs and flowers, and David found Ruchill Park was the perfect place to snap some tiny, colourful creepy-crawlies. David was blown away by what he found in this…
Read MoreBeavers could return to Cairngorms in efforts to boost numbers
Beavers could return to the Cairngorms as part of efforts to boost their population. The animals died out in Scotland around 400 years ago but were reintroduced in 2009. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is now set to speak to the public about a number of possible release sites. As part of the plans…
Read MoreHighland photographer shares stunning images of the Cairngorms
A Highland photographer has shared his stunning images of the Cairngorms – captured during the harsh winter months. Outdoor enthusiast Ed Smith has published a book with a collection of 70 pictures taken during the six years he has lived in Kingussie. The book combines striking imagery captured over many long mountain days and nights,…
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