Nature

MCofS urges hillwalkers to put a spring in their step

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Helen Webster

The mountain hare is putting a spring in its step and changing coat for summer in the Scottish mountains. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is asking walkers what they are doing to prepare for summer trips to the mountains. The MCofS is calling out to hill walkers, especially those working their way through the Munros and Corbetts, with a springtime message to consider their skill levels and look at the information and other services offered by the MCofS ahead of the summer season. The MCofS says, “The fatalities of the winter season were a stark reminder of the uncompromising…

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Walkers asked to spot Hen Harriers

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Helen Webster

Walkers are being urged to report any sightings of hen harriers as part of an initiative aimed at conserving one of Scotland's most charismatic birds being launched today (Mon 22 April). Environment Minister and chairman of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW Scotland) Paul Wheelhouse is asking bird-watchers, land managers, hill-walkers and all other members of the public to look out for and report sightings of hen harriers. People are being asked to record details of gender, behaviour and place, date and time of sighting. This will help PAW Scotland to build valuable information on these birds, recording…

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First-ever John Muir Day to be celebrated across Scotland

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Helen Webster

Events will take place later this month to celebrate the work of Scots-born conservationist, John Muir, whose pioneering work in the United States created the first national parks. April 21, the 175th anniversary of his birth has been declared John Muir Day in Scotland. To celebrate, there will be activities taking place across the country from wildlife photography workshops in Kilmartin Glen to a treasure hunt in St Cyrus or outdoor theatre in Aberdeenshire. Details of all the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) events on April 20, 21 and 22 can be found at the SNH website. Ian Jardine, SNH Chief…

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National Trust wants your old boots

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Helen Webster

The National Trust for Scotland is calling for old hiking boots that are destined to be binned for a bold new billboard to promote its work to care for Scotland's mountains. Ninety pairs of boots are going to be nailed to a huge billboard in Edinburgh in June, alongside a message encouraging commuters to support the Trust’s countryside. Part of the One Wee Step campaign which launched in 2012, the outdoors advert is the latest to highlight the fact that the Trust cares for 76,000 ha of some of the wildest and most spectacular countryside in Scotland, encompassing 46 Munro…

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Pine marten showing signs of recovery

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Helen Webster

One of Scotland's rarest carnivores is showing encouraging signs of recovery, a new report has highlighted. From Argyll to Aberdeenshire, and Caithness to the central belt, the pine marten is proving that rare mammals can recover their numbers, given the right conditions. It is a real success story for an animal which has vanished from much of England and Wales. A joint survey by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and The Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT), to be published later this week, shows the pine marten population has regained ground across much of Scotland. It is now re-colonising areas from which it…

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Have your say on Deer Management in Scottish forests

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Helen Webster

Anyone interested in how deer are managed on Scotland's National Forest Estate (NFE) is being invited to share their views with Forestry Commission Scotland. The Commission manages around 9 per cent of Scotland's land area and is seeking views from the public about how deer should be managed on that land. From today (15 April) the Commission is asking for views on a new document outlining the organisation's proposed approach to managing deer over the next three years 2013-2016. The draft document, “Deer Management on the National Forest Estate – Current Practices and Future Directions” – aims to explain and…

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Friends of Nevis Spring events

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Helen Webster

The Friends of Nevis have a packed programme of events, litter picks and work parties this spring. Organiser Anna Trafford says, “The wildlife monitoring events start with the launch of the Squirrel Project at Cafe Beag in Glen Nevis on the 20th April at 10.30. The Red Squirrel is one of Scotland's Big Five animal species and specialist Juliet Robinson will be telling us all about how red Squirrels are coping in Glen Nevis and what will be happening over the summer at the special squirrel events. Call the office on 01397 701901 by the 17th April to register for…

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Wild land campaign gains ground as SNH chiefs give evidence at Holyrood

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Helen Webster

The momentum for statutory protection of Scotland’s wild land is continuing to build. A petition lodged two years ago by the John Muir Trust calling for the protection of wild land will be put under the Holyrood spotlight when government agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), gives evidence to the Public Petitions Committee. Following a discussion on the petition at the February meeting of the committee, MSPs will now ask SNH chiefs to explain what progress they have made on mapping Scotland’s wild land – a process which began over two years ago. Ian Jardine, SNH Chief Executive and Andrew Thin,…

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Call for more Scottish national parks

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Helen Webster

Two Scottish charities are calling for at least seven more national parks to be set up in Scotland. The Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) are suggesting that new parks be set up in The Cheviots, Galloway, Glen Affric, Harris, Mull and parts of Lochaber to include Ben Nevis and Glencoe. The two groups say that national park designation is needed to protect the special landscapes of the areas. President of the APRS, Jimmie Macgregor, told the BBC, “We have wild mountains, pristine rivers and lochs, ancient forests, stunning coastline…

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John Muir Trust calls on government to save Monadhliath

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Paul Webster

Conservation group the John Muir Trust has expressed disappointment in the vote of the Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee to accept the Stronelairg wind development subject to conditions and called on the Scottish Government to make sure that a full public inquiry now takes place. “We are disappointed that the majority of councillors chose to ignore expert opinion from bodies which include Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the John Muir Trust,” said Helen McDade, the John Muir Trust Head of Policy. “But despite this setback, the fight to save the Monadhliath…

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