Yearly Archives: 2011

Call for action on Hill Tracks

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Helen Webster

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) and John Muir Trust are calling on the Scottish Government to “stop sitting on the fence” and take action to bring the construction of hill tracks under planning control. For many years now there has been an increasing proliferation of hill tracks created in some of the most beautiful and relatively untouched areas of Scotland with no form of planning control to consider the public interest in the landscapes being damaged. This is against the background of an ever-decreasing area of Scotland with a wild feel and free of influence from other development. Former…

Posted in Access issues, Nature, News

Sea Eagles bring millions to Mull economy

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Helen Webster

An RSPB study has shown that the Isle of Mull benefits by 5 million pounds a year from the re-introduction of the white-tailed eagle, or sea eagle. 1,200 visitors to the island were suveyed in 2010 and the findings suggest that tourism generated by the birds supports the equivalent of 110 full-time jobs. Almost a quarter of visitors said the eagles were an important factor in them choosing Mull as a destination. The results come at a time when crofting and farming communities have the chance to help sea eagles and their local communities by applying to join a new…

Posted in Nature

Loch Lomond wind farm plans to go on show

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Helen Webster

Plans for a proposed new wind farm near Loch Lomond are set to go on show at three public exhibitions taking place in Drymen later this month. Hamilton based, Banks Renewables, will start a public consultation process regarding the proposed Ard Ghaoth scheme, planned for a hill to the north east of Drymen and a few miles east of Conic Hill on the West Highland Way. It is expected that the plans will be for 20 turbines 100 metres high. Local people will get their first chance to look at the plans at exhibitions taking place between 3pm and 7pm…

Posted in Nature, News

Soldiers hurt in Ben Nevis accident

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Helen Webster

The rescue services were called out yesterday afternoon (Tues 14 June) after received several reports of shouts for help on Ben Nevis. Northern Constabulary report that it was quickly established that two persons, both male, had fallen an unknown distance on the Tower Ridge area of Ben Nevis. They both sustained serious injuries, one to the head and the other to the leg. Members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team attended and assisted by a helicopter from HMS Gannet, Prestwick, they airlifted the casualties from the mountain. They were then conveyed by ambulance to the Belford Hospital, Fort William. One of…

Posted in News

50 year eco-plan for Highland landscape

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Helen Webster

An area of the north west Highlands is the focus of what has been described as Scotland’s largest habitat conservation project. Landscape charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) is working with several landowners to protect and restore habitat across 172,973 acres (70,000 hectares). The project covers the Coigach and Assynt area north of Ullapool and wildcats, golden eagles, freshwater pearl mussels and the Scottish wood ant are some of the species that could benefit. The Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape is a partnership project between the John Muir Trust, Assynt Foundation, Culag Community Woodland Trust, Eisg Brachaid Estate, Tanera Mòr…

Posted in Nature

Last puff for Isle of May puffins

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Helen Webster

It’s puffins galore on the Isle of May at the moment. Scottish Natural Heritage’s special seabird event on Sunday 19 June is sure to be awash with these colourful characters, as well as other birds. The organisation says it’s now the last chance to book tickets and free child places. The trip will involve seeing the spectacular seabird colonies on the island and learning more about the lives of the birds. Puffins can be seen incredibly close up on the island and the huge cliffs hold guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and shags, which can be seen from the boat and…

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Loch Lomond Water Bus rides again

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Helen Webster

A new timetabled water bus service means that visitors will now be able to arrive by train and set sail to some of the most scenic towns, villages and beauty spots around Loch Lomond. Following a successful pilot last year, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has supported the introduction of daily scheduled services that take in 12 destinations covering south, east, west and north of the Loch. Only 45 minutes from Glasgow, people can now leave their car at home and take ScotRail train services to Balloch or Tarbet stations to catch a boat to places rich in…

Posted in Access issues, News

Deadline looming for nature photographers

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Helen Webster

The deadline for Scotland’s best nature pictures is looming. Photographers only have until Friday, June 17 to enter the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) contest. The fifth annual Nature Photography Competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers. First prize is a one-to-one tutorial with a professional photographer; second prize is an Olympus E-450 Digital SLR camera; and third prize is a Panasonic Lumix F245 Digital Camera and a Hama Star tripod. This year’s theme is “the gifts which nature gives to us all”. SNH is looking for pictures which show these gifts, whether they are practical gifts like oxygen,…

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Police hunt Tain Big Cat

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Helen Webster

Police are investigating reports of sheep and lambs having been killed and injured near Tain, possibly by a big cat. The attacks were reported on 4 June and 9 June in two locations, both in the Edderton Hill area, north of Tain. Northern Constabulary said that they, “are looking into the possibility that the sheep may have been attacked by a large cat, due to the nature of the injuries.” Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 0845 600 5703. Last August Police issued a warning to walkers and other members of the public after two…

Posted in News

Go wild at Gairloch

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Helen Webster

Scotland’s newest wildlife festival to showcase the best natural heritage assets at the heart of Scotland’s largest National Scenic Area in Wester Ross gets underway later this month. Held in and around Gairloch, the Wild About Gairloch festival takes place from Thursday June 23 until Monday 27 inclusive. Attractions range from local walks investigating local butterfly and bat populations to guided circuits of the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve mountain trail and seagoing journeys out into the Minch to spot whales, porpoises, sea eagles and skuas among others. And noted authorities such as former SNH area officer John Love will…

Posted in News