The John Muir Trust is appealing for funds to repair the path leading to the iconic Sandwood Bay, one of Britain’s most remote beaches. The Trust, which owns and protects the bay, in northwest Sutherland, is aiming to repair the path using local materials and labour. Parts of the four mile footpath are suffering from [...]
A new study has revealed that a lucky 15% of the population produces their own midge repellant. Researchers from Aberdeen University and Rothamsted Research studying the feeding habits of the Scottish biting midge found that those were spared bites produced a specific mixture of two chemicals, geranylacetone and methylheptenone. The researchers hope that the results [...]
Two golden eagles and a sea eagle were among 28 illegally poisoned Scottish birds of prey last year. A report published by RSPB Scotland indicates that human killing continues to have a serious impact on the populations of some of the country’s most vulnerable species. The report states that in 2009, 21 buzzards, 4 red [...]
The John Muir Trust (JMT) has released new figures which show that the energy output of the country’s wind developments has been much less than expected. Output from wind turbines is generally stated to be 30 per cent. But figures provided by analyst Stuart Young, who runs Caithness Wind Information Forum which campaigns against the [...]
The viewing tower at Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve had some special visitors this spring, with a pair of redstarts nesting on one of the tower’s supports. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff was delighted to see the redstarts, which are listed as an amber species with unfavourable conservation status in Europe, where they are declining. [...]
Next week is National Parks Week and some of the Parks are celebrating with special events, many of which are free. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park kicks off the week with a special exhibition on John Muir, the Scot responsible for inspiring the national park movement in America. Starting on Monday 26 July [...]