Dunnet Head
Organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and partners, the festival celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland and boasts a huge array of community events, taking place from the top of the country in Caithness, down to Angus, the Central Belt, and the Scottish Borders.
Participants can wander in the picturesque gardens and take part in craft activities for kids at the Redhall Walled Gardens in Edinburgh; go on a big bug hunt or pond dipping at Forvie national nature reserve north of Aberdeen; experience a full night of camping, topped with breakfast, in the From Dusk to Dawn event run by the Glasgow countryside rangers; take a stunning cliff-top walk on the wild side with a countryside ranger on the Dunnet Head to Brough guided walk; take part in a Welly Walk Weekend at Bowhill House & Country Estate in Selkirk; or enjoy a ‘Peregrine Breakfast’ at the Falls of Clyde, starting with a ranger-led dawn chorus and topped with a breakfast at the peregrine watch site.
For more information on these and many other events across Scotland, see www.list.co.uk and search for ‘Scotland’s Nature Festival’. Most events are free; a few events will have a minimal charge. Events are being held by all kinds of organisations, including ranger services, countryside parks, NGOs, faith organisations, nature reserves, community groups, and gardens. Even schools are involved, with over 30 holding their own events.
Scotland’s Nature Festival organiser, Zeshan Akhter, said: “There’s something for everyone at the festival, whether you want to be out in a remote spot watching wildlife, or taking part in a busy nature activity day. It’s a terrific way to take part of the Year of Natural Scotland and, with over 150 events across Scotland, it’s easy to find an something near you.”