‘National effort’ needed to save Scottish wildcat

A MAMMALS expert has warned that a “national effort” is needed in order to save the Scottish wildcat from extinction. Roo Campbell, the mammal adviser to government agency NatureScot, used the publication of a report to highlight the threat to the wildcat, which is critically endangered. The report draws together the findings from the Scottish…

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House of the Binns reopens tomorrow

THE House of the Binns reopens tomorrow following major conservation work. The restoration project is part of the National Trust for Scotland’s ten-year strategy – “Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone” – which was launched at the 17th-century country house a year ago. The conservation charity, which has been caring for House of the Binns…

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Conservationists object to Coul Links golf course

WILDLIFE charities are calling on the public to object to plans for a golf course at Coul Links in Sutherland. Seven organisations – including the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust – are “extremely concerned” about revised plans submitted to The Highland Council. Craig Macadam, conservation director at insect charity…

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Move from research to conservation to save migrating birds

SCIENTISTS want efforts to shift from research to conservation in order to save migrating birds. Species under threat include cuckoos, swifts, and turtle doves, as well as swallows and whinchats. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) warned that gaps in research into the problem shouldn’t…

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Ducks given helping hand with nest tubes

NOW is the “ideal time” to install nest tubes for ducks, according to the Brititsh Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC). The charity’s push to erect more platforms is part of its wider duck monitoring project. Last year, 48% of the 225 raised nests monitored by the project were occupied, with 98% showing signs of…

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Buccleuch selling more of Langholm Moor

ESTATE owner Buccleuch revealed this morning that it will sell more of Langholm Moor next month. Oxygen Conservation, which already owners land around the Firth of Tay, will buy 11,390 acres of moor around Blackburn and Hartsgarth. The organisation aims to demonstrate that environmental conservation can also deliver social and economic benefits for local communities.…

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City gardeners asked to spot mammals

HAVE you spotted rabbits, foxes, or other mammals in your urban garden? If so then the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) wants to hear from you. The charity is gathering reports of sightings, footprints, and droppings from gardens, allotments, parks, playing fields, cemetries, and other public spaces. Its data will help with conservation work…

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Historic Canongate gasworks to become student flats

PLANNING permission has been granted to turn the former Canongate gasworks in Edinburgh into student flats. The application was rejected by City of Edinburgh Council in August, but a Scottish Government planning reporter has now upheld an appeal. The flats will include 76 studio rooms, a gym, and two study rooms. The development is aimed…

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Culloden scholar Dr Christopher Duffy has died

THE death has been announced of Dr Christopher Duffy, a former chair of the 1745 Association, and researcher into the Battle of Culloden. Duffy studied history at Balliol College in Oxford, graduating with first-class honours, and went on to complete his doctorate. He taught military history at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and at…

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Scottish fish skins turned into ‘leather’ wallets

FISH skins from Dunkeld Smokehouse are being turned into wallets to raise money for wild salmon conservation. Antonia Gillett, 28, has opened Felsie, which is the UK’s first dedicated fish skin “tannery”. Gillett is turning the left-over fish skins with the scales removed into a “leather”, from which she then makes wallets and cardholders. She…

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