In a first for the UK, a new map detailing Scotland’s wild areas has been published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Some of the country’s wildest landscapes are already identified and protected if they fall within national parks or national scenic areas. But many other wild areas are not identified in any way. The Scottish public view wild land as an important priority: a recent SNH study found that 91% of respondents agree that Scotland’s areas of wild land are important and should be protected. Another study found wild land provides even more economic and employment benefit than agriculture and…

The enigmatic water vole may be associated with our water and river systems but scientists have revealed it is it thriving almost 700 metres up a Scottish hill. Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve in Wester Ross managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is home to some of Britain’s rarest wildlife. And a recent survey of water voles found the inhabitants quite happily defining territory at that altitude. Water voles are chunky rodents up to 25 cm in length. They live along the edges of burns, rivers and ditches and feed on grasses and sedges while inhabiting burrow systems among waterside…

John Muir Trust Nevis conservation officer Lewis Pate spotted a perfectly split hazelnut shell left by a red squirrel enjoying a nutty treat in Steall Gorge, Glen Nevis. This is the first recorded evidence of squirrels in this location. Lewis says, “I was walking through the birch and ash wood on the path when I found it. The only animal that can do this is a red squirrel and while we have never observed any reds in the gorge, it is reasonable evidence of their presence despite the habitat not being particularly suited to them. “Reds will feed on birch…

Biodiversity surveys carried out on Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Estate, in Glen Moriston last year have revealed a range of rare and endangered species. The new discoveries on the 10,000-acre estate include the first Scottish record of one species of sawfly and what may be the first British record of another; the second-ever British record of a waxfly species; and species of spider, cranefly and dragonfly all listed in the UK’s Red Data Book of endangered species. At least 60 priority species for conservation have now been identified on the site, which lies to the west of Loch Ness and…