Tourism chiefs are hoping that a landmark TV series focusing on the wildlife of the Hebrides will give the local tourism industry a boost. The show, Hebrides, Life on the Edge will be screened tonight (Monday 6 May) at 9pm on BBC One Scotland and will then be available on the BBC iPlayer. Mike Cantlay, chairman of national tourism agency VisitScotland, said the programme was a “golden chance to promote the Year of Natural Scotland”. He added: “This documentary will continue to promote Scotland’s landscapes, its wildlife and people in a magical light. Our research shows that one in five…

To celebrate Scotland's amazing wildlife and countryside during the Year of Natural Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is launching a free photo contest. As part of Scotland's Nature Festival, SNH is encouraging Scots to enjoy nature by capturing their favourite natural places and wildlife. The seventh annual Nature Photography Competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Keen photographers have plenty of time to get snapping, with a deadline of August 1 to get their photos to SNH. First prize is a one-to-one tutorial with one of Scotland’s leading professional nature photographers, Lorne Gill; second prize is a Nikon…

To avoid accidents, motorists should slow down and be on the lookout for deer on the road in May, warns Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Vehicle accidents involving deer peak at this time of year, as yearling animals disperse, looking for their own territories. Because of this, SNH, in conjunction with Transport Scotland, are placing warning messages on variable messaging signs on high-risk trunk roads across Scotland from Monday, 29 April to Friday, 31 May. The signs are targeted on roads with higher rates of deer-vehicle collisions, covering areas of the Central Belt around Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Stirling,…