The Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy has announced the scrapping of Ministry of Defence plans to close bases on St Kilda, South Uist and Benbecula in the Western Isles. The range’s command and control centre, which is run by the private company, QinetiQ on behalf of the MoD, was to close and rocket tests run remotely from South Wales. This was to have resulted in the loss of 125 jobs. Mr Murphy, speaking to BBC Scotland, said, “The firing range and control station will remain, these 125 jobs will stay, because ultimately while the MoD may have made some savings, the…

When The Spinningdale ran aground on St Kilda during winter storms in February 2008, there were fears that rats would transfer to the island and damage the unique ecosystem. Now the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has successfully dismantled and removed the wreck from the dual world heritage site and there is no evidence so far, that rats did get ashore. The Spinningdale became stranded on jagged rocks during vicious gales in early 2008. Following discussions between the NTS and the Maritime Coastguard Agency and the Scottish Environment Group (EG) it was concluded that the safest and most environmentally friendly…

Following reports last week that Planners were recommending refusal, the application to site a wind farm on Pressendye has now been formally rejected by the Local Authority. Aberdeenshire Councillors who made the decision were cheered by anti-wind farm campaigners who had argued that the turbines would have an unacceptable impact on the sensitive area which overlooks the Cairngorms National Park. Pressendye, which is a Graham popular with hill walkers, is an excellent viewpoint over Donside and lower Deeside.

The Scottish Beaver re-introduction trial taking place in Knapdale, mid-Argyll has had a roller-coaster first few months since its start at the end of May. One male has died and another family has moved from its original location having been disturbed by shooting in the area, but the rest of the beavers are thriving and adapting to their new environment. The Scottish Beaveer Trial has provided the following update, “On 29 May, we released 11 beavers in three family groups into three different and carefully selected sites within the trial area in Knapdale, Mid-Argyll. A family of four was released…

The Friends of Nevis are offering free trips on the Jacobite Steam train from Fort William to Mallaig to anyone willing to sell raffle tickets on board. The organisation, which has undertaken a number of projects to help keep the iconic mountain in good condition, is planning to have a month of activity to raise awareness of, and money for, the Friends of Nevis. During the week beginning 17 August, volunteers are needed to sell raffle tickets to visitors/passengers before boarding and during the trip to Mallaig. You need to be over 18 and available from 9:30 – 4.30 on…

The John Muir Trust – the UK’s leading wild land conservation charity – today warned that around one fifth (19%) of mainland Shetland will be significantly affected by 150 giant wind turbines if plans by Viking Energy are approved the Scottish Government. The Trust is urging members of the public to object before the consultation period closes on Tuesday the 28th of July. The John Muir Trust formally lodged its objection to the proposal this week, arguing that the development will have a serious and hugely damaging detrimental impact on the landscape and visual quality of these unique and outstanding…

Bird experts say that Europe’s oldest known puffin has been found on the Shiant Islands in the Hebrides. The puffin was first ringed 34 years ago and was found by the same ornithologist, Ian Buxton, who ringed it back in June 1975. Members of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) have been ringing birds on the Shiant Islands for many years to add to scientific data on the species. After years of poor breeding patterns, the BTO is reporting that the puffins on the Shiant Islands appear to be having a good breeding season, bringing in plenty of sand eels…

The Knoydart Forest Trust today announced that it has successfully completed a ten year campaign to rid Knoydart peninsula of the invasive ponticum species of rhododendron. The final push was completed this July with the equivalent area of around five football pitches cleared of rhododendron bushes and trees. In the last ten years since the Knoydart Foundation bought the Knoydart estate they have systematically removed rhododendrons from over five thousand hectares of community and neighbouring land. This gruelling physical work – known as ‘Rhoddie bashing’ – involves chainsaw, burning, spraying and hand pulling the smallest seedling up to the largest…