In response to crofter’s concerns that Sea Eagles are killing a large number of lambs in north west Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is to undertake a study into the causes of lamb mortality. The study, which is now underway, will monitor the activity of predators and the well-being and mortality of lambs in an area where a significant number of lambs have been lost in previous seasons. Last year crofters in the Gairloch peninsula reported that over 200 lambs had been lost between May and September and that they believed the majority had been killed by hungry Sea Eagles.…

Archaeologists working at a National Trust for Scotland garden in Argyll have found evidence of a monastic settlement dating to the 7th – 9th century AD. The news comes as Crarae Garden prepares to unveil the results of a seven year refurbishment project on Thursday 9 April. As part of the refurbishment, archaeologists carried out important excavation work at the site, located 10 miles south of Inveraray. There was already evidence that Crarae has been a spiritual place for thousands of years – a Neolithic chambered cairn, Bronze Age burial mound and medieval church and graveyard are all nearby. The…