Conservation bodies welcome protection for wild land
A new map of the Wild Land Areas of Scotland was published today by Scottish Natural Heritage and will be used by the Scottish Government as part of its newly published national planning policy. The map covers 19 per cent of Scotland’s land area. The recognition of the importance of wild land is underpinned by both the new National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy documents. The National Planning Framework 3 states ‘We also want to continue our strong protection for our wildest landscapes – wild land is a nationally important asset.’ The Scottish Planning Policy document states: ‘Wild land…
New bird's eye view of Mull sea eagles
People from all over the world will now be able to see live footage of Mull's white-tailed sea eagles through a new satellite technology viewing project. Thought to be a UK first, the innovative project aims to complement the already successful ranger-led visits to see Mull’s majestic sea eagles. The new satellite link will follow Cuin and Sula, the two famous sea eagles currently starring in the 10th series of the BBC’s popular Springwatch. The live footage can been seen on Forestry Commission Scotland website. Fiona Murray, Forestry Commission Scotland’s tourism development manager said: “White-tailed eagles are sometimes known as…
New forest launched in Highlands as green legacy to Commonwealth Games
A new Commonwealth Forest near Loch Ness has been established as a lasting and green legacy to this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, in an initiative being launched by conservation charity Trees for Life during Legacy Week (9-13 June). Trees for Life has planted 6,500 trees in the new forest at its Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston – one for every athlete competing in the Games, with Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead planting the 6,500th tree. The award-winning charity aims to expand the new forest with the support of spectators who attend the…
Anger as Stronelairg wind farm approved on wild land
Scottish Energy minister Fergus Ewing has approved a new 67 turbine wind farm at Stronelairg – the largest ever proposed in the Highlands – on the Monadhliath mountains. The area had been identified as one of Scotland’s ‘Core Areas of Wild Land’ by Scottish Natural Heritage, and conservationists had hoped that the proposed new protection for such wild areas would result in rejection of the plan. Plans for another wind farm at Newfield Moor – on low moorland northeast of Lockerbie – were rejected by Mr Ewing, although this was far from wild land areas. The latter plan had seen…
Police confirm Black Isle kite deaths due to banned poisons
Police Scotland have confirmed in a statement that the deaths of the buzzards and red kites in the Black Isle earlier this year were in fact due to banned poisons. The statement has dismissed widely-circulated rumours spread online that the investigation had found that the bird deaths connected with the RSPB’s Red Kite feeding station at Tollie. The RSPB has branded the rumours that it was responsible for the deaths “completely outrageous”. RSPB Scotland volunteer Andrea Goddard told the BBC that “these anonymous rumour-mongers seem to be attempting to muddy the waters and mislead the general public.” Mrs Goddard said…
Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team celebrates 50 years
Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion a number of events are being planned across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to give the public in Grampian an insight into the team's work in 2014 and to help raise vital funds for the charity. The first event is their annual sponsored 23 km walk from Glen Tanar Estate on Saturday 7th June. Places are still available for those who wish to join the walk or members of the public can sponsor people through Just Giving at www.justgiving.com/aberdeenmountainrescue/raisemoney. Every walker will get a free beanie hat,…
Monbiot rewilding talk ahead of Cairngorms Nature Festival
Environmental campaigner and activist George Monbiot is to speak on rewilding in the Cairngorms National Park next week. The Guardian columnist will be giving an evening presentation focussing on rewilding, and outlining his own thoughts on current approaches to managing National Parks and protected places. He will also be signing copies of his latest book on rewilding, ‘Feral’. George Monbiot’s talk will take place at the Boat of Garten Community Hall on Thursday 15th May at 7pm. It is free to attend but booking is essential – the talk is almost certain to be full. There will be tea/coffee and…
Final stage of Loch Leven Heritage Trail now open
A final 6.5 kilometre section is now open which completes the Loch Leven Heritage Trail circuit around the loch near Kinross. The new section – which runs from the RSPB Nature reserve at Vane Farm to Kinross – includes the highest point on the trail, and gives some of the best views on the whole 21km route. The final section cost £800,000, and was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with further contributions from Scottish Natural Heritage, The Arthur and Margaret Thompson Trust, The Gannochy Trust and Sustrans. A very valuable new donation was a bequest from the late Jean…
New wildlife observatory on Lewis
The Nature Observatory at Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve in Ness, Isle of Lewis officially opened last week. Roy Dennis MBE was invited to speak at a short brunch event in Ness before those in attendance grabbed their boots, scopes and jackets and made their way to the loch for the opening of the new observatory. The event was opened by Agnes Rennie, Chair of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and guests heard a little about the project from Urras Manager Lisa Maclean, who explained that the project was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, LEADER, RSPB and the John Muir Trust and…