NatureScot has today approved a licence application from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to release up to six beaver families at agreed sites in the upper River Spey catchment. The decision will help increase the current range of beavers in Scotland, as set out as a priority in Scotland’s Beaver Strategy 2022-2045. The approval marks the fifth catchment to which beavers have either been officially granted permission to remain or have been released. Populations are already established in Tayside, on the Forth, in Knapdale and Loch Lomond. The application from the Park Authority was assessed by NatureScot in line with…

The results are in for November’s Highlander trip report of the month competition: “The first proper winter snows provided some fabulous trip reports and we’ve also been enjoying the last of the autumn colours on some of your lower level outings. For November the £100 Highlander prize voucher goes to johnbythell for Spectacular day above Glencoe Mountain Resort – a fab wee taster of winter to come with just a dusting of snow to set off the mountains. The £50 runner up is Collaciotach for An Cù. Tha na laithean a’ dol Seachad… the days flash past – a wonderful photo tribute to a…

To celebrate its 40th year, conservation charity, the John Muir Trust (JMT) is inviting writers, photographers, sculptors, videographers, podcasters, and outdoor enthusiasts to share their creative vision of freedom for wild places. The best entries will have their work featured in an exhibition at the Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry during spring 2024. The overall winner will receive a week-long artist in residence opportunity at a JMT site, working on a project in collaboration with the Trust for a future exhibition. Speaking about the exhibition, wildlife photographer and judge Andy Howard said: “As someone that spends so much time…

Hill runner Jamie Aarons has smashed the record for a continuous round of the Munros. She summitted her final Munro, Ben Klibreck just before 5pm today, 26th June – in a time of 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes. Jamie began her round on May 26 at 6:30am on the Isle of Mull. Her round was undertaken on foot, bike and kayak. The route involved 1,315km of running and another 1,249km of cycling, 11km of kayaking, with a total of over 120,000m of ascent. The previous record was set by Donnie Campbell who completed the round in just over 31…