Lynx to Scotland research – “Not now, but not never”

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Helen Webster

There is sufficient appetite from a diverse cross-sector of rural stakeholders to examine whether potential barriers to a trial reintroduction of Eurasian lynx to Scotland can be overcome, says the first detailed study into the social feasibility of the species’ return. The research, commissioned by the Lynx to Scotland project, spent a year consulting a wide range of national stakeholders and local communities in the Cairngorms National Park and Argyll. It was organised by charities SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life and Vincent Wildlife Trust. Previous research suggests the Highlands has enough habitat – and roe deer, the animal’s…

Posted in Magazine, Nature

First eagle nest camera feed in the UK opens at Loch Garten

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Helen Webster

In what has been hailed as a first for the UK, a new live camera feed at RSPB Scotland’s Loch Garten Nature Centre is giving visitors an up-close look at Scotland’s largest bird of prey. A pair of white-tailed eagles, Shona and Finn, have established a nest in the vast landscape of the Cairngorms Connect partnership, of which RSPB Scotland is part, with their activities beamed live to the Loch Garten Nature Centre at the charity’s Abernethy nature reserve. Using methods successfully trialled in other countries including Estonia and Latvia and under special license from NatureScot, experts from Wildlife Windows…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Riverwoods – an Untold Story

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Helen Webster

Riverwoods is a stunning new feature-length documentary made by Scotland: The Big Picture that tells of how salmon – Scotland’s King of Fish – is vital not just to anglers but as a key part of the forest ecosystem. And how we need to restore our depleted landscapes to secure a future for our threatened wild salmon. The film is about to embark on a free screening tour around Scotland from March to April – at venues from Wick to Peebles; just book your place to see this beautiful film and the vital story it tells.. Three years in the…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Gear Review: Rab Kangri waterproof jacket

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Helen Webster

Recommended Price: £275Weight: 465g Rab is now making their long-popular Kangri jacket with recycled outer fabric – I’ve taken full advantage of the shockingly wet Scottish autumn to put this updated classic through its paces. Made from 70 denier 3 layer Gore-Tex, I’ve found it to be a reliable hardshell with excellent features that make it comfortable for all day wear. The fabric feels very robust but is still reasonably flexible and doesn’t make too much noise during wear. I found the sizing true to size; I’m 5’3″ and it properly covered my bum and the arms are long enough…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Argaty Red Kites granted beaver translocation licence

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Helen Webster

In a significant policy step, Argaty Red Kites in Perthshire has been granted Scotland’s first edge-of-range beaver translocation licence. Argaty, a working farm which is home to the award-winning red kite project, has been awarded a licence by the Scottish Government’s nature agency NatureScot for the release of two families and one pair of beavers, without the need for enclosure fencing. The beavers will be relocated from areas of prime agricultural land in Tayside where lethal control licences have been issued. They will be released on selected ponds at Argaty later this year, supported by the charity Beaver Trust. The…

Posted in Magazine, News

Gear review: Waterproof trousers for women

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Helen Webster

Waterproof trousers have come a long way from the “boil in the bag”, flapping, oversized, essential but unloved items of gear I remember from the past. Whilst innovation has come with higher prices, there are now options that can be worn all day, as alternatives to regular hiking trousers and do more than just keep the rain out. Alpkit Nautilus Recommended Price: £124.99Weight: 420g (10 Short) Nautilus is Alpkit’s heavier overtrouser, made from 3-layer fabric with waterproof and breathable membrane with a nylon outer with a bit of stretch in it. This allows a slimmer fit so there’s less fabric…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

Rewilding in pictures: more Scottish landowners join Northwoods network

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Helen Webster

Increasing numbers of Scottish landowners are joining a chain of rewilding projects to tackle the nature and climate emergencies, and create new economic opportunities for rural communities. The Northwoods Rewilding Network is bringing together a diverse group of farms, estates, crofts and community lands, and has more than doubled in size to 28 land partners since its April launch. The sites now cover more than 7,000 acres between them, and Northwoods aims to grow to at least 10,000 acres within two years. Operated by rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Northwoods was created in response to a growing number of…

Posted in Features, Magazine, Nature, News

MBA Bothies reopen in Scotland and Wales

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Helen Webster

Following the lifting of most statutory restrictions and with the agreement of bothy owners, the Mountain Bothies Association has announced that the bothies they maintain in Scotland and Wales reopen for responsible use from Monday 9th August. Bothies in England reopened on 19 July following the lifting of restrictions there. MBA Chairman, Simon Birch, said: “Since the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, we have adopted the position that our shelters are closed and we would like to thank all those responsible MBA members and the general public who have complied with that request. “Covid-19 has not gone away and…

Posted in Magazine, News

Cairngorms 2030 project secures £12.5m funding

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Helen Webster

The Cairngorms National Park has secured the largest award amongst five projects across the UK to receive a share of £50million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Horizon Awards. The Cairngorms 2030: people and nature thriving together project has been developed by the National Park Authority with 45 partners. The plan includes more than 20 schemes across the National Park, which is the largest of the UK and home to 25% of all its threatened species. The schemes planned include restoring 3,500 hectares of peatland, planting thousands of trees to help add 1,000 hectares of woodland cover, developing a…

Posted in Magazine, Nature, News

Fife charity worker named Overall Champion of Scottish Walking Awards

Posted on May 11, 2021 by Helen Webster

A Fife charity worker who runs a walking group to help migrants boost their health, social life and spoken English has been named as the first-ever overall champion of the Scottish Walking Awards. The panel of expert judges were wowed by Magdalena Augustyn-Lygas’ successful coordination of Sole Sisters community health walk project, run by Fife Migrants Forum. Magdalena scooped the Community Walking Champion and Overall Champion titles, following more than 160 entries being submitted to ten categories earlier this spring. Nominations included everything from businesses, councils, land managers and housing associations to the journalists, staff and local volunteers who are…

Posted in Magazine, News