Banchory Bangle raffle deadline approaches

THE raffle to win this year’s “Banchory bangle” comes to an end on Friday. Jewellery designer Malcolm Appleby has made been making a bangle each year since 1976 to raise money for Children 1st. Appleby uses recycled gold and silver to make his bangles, which have raised £184,000 so far for the charity. Raffle tickets…

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New funding for Scottish river restoration training

Organisations and businesses are being urged to apply for a share of new funding to support development of nature-based skills in river restoration. The Working with Rivers training scheme will fund up to 20 paid placements of 12-weeks duration. The placements will offer training and high quality, on-the-job experience in river restoration, natural flood management,…

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A look around some of the most stunning gardens

Aspiring to promote interaction with the natural world, photos are divided into categories that encourage the appreciation of the planet’s diversity. Particularly for nature enthusiasts, the staggering range of nature’s beauty is astonishingly captured from a multitude of perspectives and locations. It could benefit from more narrative, but definitely one for the coffee table. International…

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Stanza poetry festival approaches

STANZA, Scotland’s international poetry festival, is just a few weeks away, with excitement building for the launch of the first ever hybrid event. The past 12 months have been incredibly challenging for the cultural sector, so to be hosting a festival in this climate in any form is a bonus. Stanza 2021 will, of course,…

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Scots among Stonehenge ‘heritage heroes’

TELEVISION presenter Sir Tony Robinson will today unveil a display at Stonehenge to celebrate eight “unsung champions of heritage”. Two Scots are among the heritage workers and volunteers from throughout the UK whose contributions are being celebrated. Luke Strachan is chief executive of Wild Things, an environmental charity based at Findhorn in Moray, while Jade…

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Face 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.…

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Fishing 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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Overcoming her grief in the mountains

This beautifully candid memoir follows the life of Munroist, Sarah Jane Douglas, and her battle with grief. After losing her mother to cancer, Douglas finds solace in climbing Scotland’s forbidding mountains. A heart-wrenching read, it is testament to the cathartic nature of the wilderness. True stories do not always see the ‘happily ever after’ ending,…

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The perfect device to help you go nature spotting

Swarovski Optik has announced the launch of their exciting new product, the dG (digital guide). This is the first long-range optical device that allows nature enthusiasts to easily observe, identify and share sightings of birds and other animals. Available to purchase from April, the Swarovski Optik dG promises to make the challenge of identifying and…

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