Scotland’s wildlife celebrated in a family book

100 Great Wildlife Experiences: What To See And Where is a family-friendly book, and author James D. Fair delivers exactly what he promises. Counting down 100 of the UK’s majestic fauna and flora, he takes his readers on a nationwide wildlife tour, recommending the best places to spot lapwings, willow warblers, pine martens and more…

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Keep your dog on the lead as lambing season begins

Several Scottish organisations have united in an urgent plea to dog owners across the country to keep their dogs under proper control around livestock. Lambing season is already well underway in Scotland, and most of the ewes we see now grazing the hills and fields are heavily pregnant at this time of year. Already farmers…

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Fishing rights with a Highland country house hotel

A delightful Highland hotel with access to fishing rights on three nearby lochs has been put up for sale. Presented by agents Bell Ingram, the Overscaig House Hotel is set in an idyllic location near Lairg, Sutherland, and has eight en-suite letting bedrooms, plus spacious owners’ and staff accommodation. The 3-Star STB hotel sits in…

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Parliament to debate third Scottish National Park

A campaign to create Scotland’s third national park is to be discussed at the Scottish Parliament this week. The Galloway National Park Association has welcomed the news that the Scottish Parliament is to debate a motion by SNP South Scotland MSP Emma Harper on Thursday, 11 February, in support of a National Park for Galloway.…

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Red squirrels put on a diet to help them survive

A Scottish council’s ranger service is putting red squirrels in the area on an diet. Aberdeen City Council’s countryside service ranger service is teaming up with Carnie Woods Community Group and the Scottish Wildlife Trust on a diet plan for the woods’ red squirrel population and other wildlife in the area. The plan follows discussions…

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Urgent plea to save Scotland’s rainforests

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for cash to help them save Scotland’s Atlantic oak woodlands. The sites, which stretch along the length of the west coast, are known as “Scotland’s rainforests” thanks to their high rainfall. The forests – which include birch and hazel, as well as oak – are home to specialist specials of plants, insects,…

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Could the missing lynx return?

A YEAR-LONG survey has been launched to find out if the public wants lynx to be introduced to the Highlands. Supporters say the big cats would help to control roe deer numbers, while opponents worry about their effect on sheep kept near woodland, the species’ favoured habitat. The consultation has been launched by three charities:…

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Former RSPB boss lands at seabird centre

THE Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick has named Stuart Housden as the next chair of its board of trustees. Housden is a former director of fellow bird charity RSPB Scotland. He succeeds David Windmill, who has served as chair at the seabird centre for the past eight years. Susan Davies, the centre’s chief executive,…

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Cammo Park turns Christmas trees into wildlife homes

MORE than 350 people have donated their old Christmas trees to the Friends of Cammo Park. The 200-strong voluntary group – which helps the City of Edinburgh Council to manage the Cammo Estate in the north of the city – will use the trees as piles of dead wood. The old trees will decay to…

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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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