The sole surviving juniper plant at the National Trust for Scotland’s Ben Lomond is set to get a family, thanks to the efforts of the conservation charity. Once more widespread in the area, there is now only one juniper (Juniperus communis) bush remaining on this popular mountain, and only a handful of plants are still present in the wider Loch Lomondside area. Now, conservation experts are searching for local plants to establish a ‘family’ of juniper and help ensure that the plant survives for future generations. Ranger Alasdair Eckersall explains: “In the past, juniper was probably relatively widespread here, but…

Staff at Loch Garten RSPB reserve were celebrating the first egg laid by the returning female osprey as work is completed on providing a secure power supply to the centre. The osprey, called EJ, has laid an egg after returning to the reserve near Aviemore for an eighth season. The bird’s partner, named Odin, has been bringing a regular supply of fish to the nest. Visitors to this osprey stronghold will benefit from an unrivalled experience after £63,000 funding by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The backing will provide the Abernethy National Nature Reserve (NNR) with a new mains power supply.…

Islanders on the small isle of Rum have taken over ownership of 160 acres and houses in the main settlement, Kinloch. As the culmination of a 10 year negotiation and transfer plan, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has moved assets it owned on the isle, worth an estimated £257,000, to a community trust owned and run by the islanders. Residents had voted in favour of community ownership last January and Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham has welcomed the deal, calling it a new dawn for the island. The islanders plan to implement a long term strategy for developing the community and the…