Shooting body calls for restraint during cold snap

THE British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) is calling for voluntary restraint in Scotland during the cold snap. Britain’s largest shooting organisation highlighted the need for voluntary restraint when hunting ducks, geese, wading birds – including woodcock – coot, and moorhen. BASC Scotland director Colin Shedden said: “We are fully aware that the current…

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Review: ‘Sittingsuits you, sir!’

Elis Elliot climbs inside a Sittingsuit to put the ‘sleeping bag you can wear’ through its paces. TIME spent in the great outdoors has always been instrumental in improving our physical and mental health, but that’s never been more important than it is right now. As the seasons change and we are forced to socialise…

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Gifford woodland gets help from quarry

ACCESS and drainage at Gifford Community Woodland in East Lothian has been improved by a local quarry. Longyester quarry, which is just three miles from the site, helped to maintain the drainage ditches in the wood. Neville Kilkenny, project manager for the woodland, approached Tillicoultry Quarries, which owns Longyester, for help. “They didn’t disappoint and…

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National Trust for Scotland launches walking campaign

THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has launched a walking campaign to raise money for its sites. Its “Stride out for Scotland” initiative aims to encourage people to take more exercise while fundraising for the charity. The latest move is part of its wider “Save our Scotland” campaign, which has so far raised £2 million…

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Whyte & Mackay clocking up 29,000 miles for charity

WORKERS at whisky maker Whyte & Mackay aim to walk, run, row and cycle almost 29,000 miles at home to raise cash for charities. They are trying to raise £50,000 over the next eight weeks for good causes, including the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). As well as employees from the UK, funds will…

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One Year No Beer: a lockdown lifeline

Looking to change your relationship with alcohol? Peter Ranscombe reports on a Scottish firm’s online programme. FOR so many of us who have been staying safe at home with no exposure to the coronavirus, it’s been a lockdown of memes. Memes about face coverings, memes about zoom quizzes, memes about TikTok challenges. One set of…

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Photos wanted for new charity calendar

People with time on their hands are being urged to look through their photos of the Scottish Borders and enter a competition. The Macmillan Cancer Support Coldstream committee, helping people in the Borders, is looking to create its first calendar for the whole area. Last autumn, the committee launched a digital photographic competition to create…

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Ten birds to spot in your garden this spring

The warmer months of spring promise the start of the nesting season and a chance for nature lovers to spot busy birds as they hurry to build nests. To help stay-at-home wildlife explorers identify their sightings, Swarovski Optik, a world-leading manufacturer of long-range optics, has shared a list of ten British birds that can easily…

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Advice on caring for animals during outbreak

Guidance for animal owners related to the coronavirus outbreak has been published by the Scottish Government. All animals owners are advised to: • consider how they would continue to care for their animals if self-isolating • keep dogs from self-isolating households on a lead when in public • follow general hygiene measures Rural Affairs minister…

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