A rare alpine plant that was in danger of disappearing from the slopes of Ben Lawers forever has been saved after conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland stepped in. In 1998, there was only one surviving highland saxifrage on the slopes of the Central Highlands highest mountain. This summer, a survey found 12 plants thriving on the hillside, after a Trust programme to re-establish the plant. Highland saxifrage (Saxifraga rivularis) is a nationally rare species adapted to grow in some of the harshest arctic alpine conditions. In Scotland, it is found in about 20 mountain locations, including Ben Lawers.…

The National Trust for Scotland is asking its supporters to leave more than footprints at the mountain ranges under its care – the conservation charity is looking for donations to help maintain its mountain paths. The Trust, which looks after some of Scotland’s most popular mountain landscapes, including Torridon, Glencoe and Kintail, is launching a public appeal to raise funds for ongoing repairs to pathways in these areas. Through its Sole Trading appeal, the charity hopes to raise £80,000 this year to fund the specialist, ongoing repair work needed to protect this fragile environment. Trust is mailing the appeal to…

Half a million native trees will be planted in Glen Moriston following Tree’s for Life’s purchase of the Dundreggan Estate. The charity, which has bought over 4,000 hectares in a £1.6 million deal, plans to re-connect the forest between Glen Moriston and Glen Affric. The site currently has about 100 hectares of ancient woodland. Trees for Life, based in Findhorn, Moray, has already been involved in a number of other projects including the planting of thousands of native tree in Glen Affric. The aim is that the forest will provide a habitat for many species, including wood ants and black…

Six key species will be helped in a new programme to create better habits within Scotland’s woodlands. The Forestry Commission will focus on the capercaillie, black grouse, red squirrel, pearl-bordered fritillary, chequered skipper butterfly and juniper as important, but threatened, species. The projects, across all of Scotland, will seek to increase biodiversity by improving habitats. For example open areas within woodlands will be created to increase the amount of blaeberry growing, an important food for the capercaillie and also to provide areas where the bird is more likely to successfully breed. Environment Minister Mike Russell launched the plan at the…

Litter ranging from a chemical toilet to drums full of oil and even the odd hairbrush have been collected by volunteers in Knoydart. Beach cleaning on the Knoydart peninsula, one of Britain’s most remote stretches of coastline, has revealed the full extent of marine litter in our seas. Over the past month work parties of volunteers for the Friends of Knoydart and the John Muir Trust have recovered the equivalent of over 300 large plastic bags of rubbish from 3.5 kilometres of coastline between Sandaig & Doune on the west of Knoydart. This is the first time that this area…

5 hen harrier chicks have been found crushed dead in their nest on moorland destined for a windfarm development on the Isle of Skye. The chicks, which are a protected species, were healthy in the middle of last month according to local monitors, but were found dead when they returned to check the nest last week. The incident has been reported to the Northern Constabulary who are investigating whether a wildlife crime has been committed or not. The police said that it was too early to tell whether the chicks had died from natural causes, poison, or been deliberately crushed.…

Friends of Nevis is now in a position to offer opportunities, with full training, in path maintenance and repair work on Ben Nevis this summer. We are planning to carry out repairs and maintenance on sections of the path from John’s Wall to the CIC hut and path construction expert, Bob Brown, has agreed to lead volunteer work parties and offer training and insights into this fascinating area of work. This is a great chance for anyone looking to “put something back” into the Ben in a hands on/practical and outdoor environment, with all equipment and plenty of support provided,…