Scottish-based bumblebee project wins top award

A Stirling-based bumblebee conservation project has been voted the UK’s best environment project by the National Lottery Awards. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, beat hundreds of projects to win. The project works to raise awareness of the importance of bumblebee conservation to the countryside and crops. The Trust is supported by Kate Humble and is based [...]

September 6th, 2010 09:33 AM

Gastro-ramble planned for Deeside

More than 100 people are expected to step out for the 2010 TanaLonga, a new 8km gastro ramble which leads walkers through the beautiful Glen Tanar Estate in Royal Deeside. Organised by Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation, the route takes in some of the most stunning beauty spots in the area and [...]

September 5th, 2010 08:23 AM

Secret Britain heads to Glencoe

The epic journey across Britain being undertaken for the BBC’s Secret Britain series comes north of the border on Sunday’s programme as Julia Bradbury and Matt Baker explore Glencoe, Corrour and the Uists. Matt will take the West Highland line to Corrour, Britain’s most remote railway station and the starting point for a number of [...]

September 4th, 2010 10:18 AM

Help need to unearth archaeological mystery

Volunteer archaeologists are invited to set aside time on Saturday 11 September to join a team of experts as they investigate a recent archaeological find. Uncovered by the Forestry Commission Scotland’s North Highland team when they were preparing ground for tree planting, the site at Craggie, in Glen Oykel, in Sutherland, was identified as an [...]

September 3rd, 2010 09:48 AM

Highland Cattle rescue butterflies

Scotland’s first butterfly reserve is reporting a significant increase in butterfly numbers this summer, and it could all be down to the interventions of Highland cattle. Set up by Forestry Commission Scotland in partnership with Butterfly Conservation and Forest Research in 2003, the Allt Mhuic nature reserve, on the north Shore of Loch Arkaig, aims [...]

September 2nd, 2010 03:30 PM

Earth Vision seeks nature writing entries

Entries are now open for the 2010 Earth Vision nature writing contest. Entries can be short fiction, creative non-fiction, poetic prose, or poetry. The nature writing contest is held to support the cause of writing on the subject of nature and deep ecology and although based in America it is open to anyone writing in [...]

September 2nd, 2010 01:03 PM

Walkhighlands reaches Thistle Awards final

Walkhighlands is one of three businesses to reach the finals of VisitScotland’s Thistle Awards in the prestigious Innovation category. Created by VisitScotland in 1992, the Scottish Thistle Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Scottish Tourism. Walkhighlands was nominated for the 2010 award for its social networking features developed over the last two years. These allow [...]

September 1st, 2010 04:09 PM

Lower cost ferry fares extended

The pilot scheme which has been providing lower cost ferry fares to and from the Outer Hebrides is set to continue for at least another year. The road equivalent tariff (RET) bases the cost of travelling on the cost of the same distance by road. VisitScotland says that the RET fares have boosted tourist visits [...]

September 1st, 2010 10:17 AM

Second sighting of "Big Cat" in Sutherland

Police are warning walkers and other members of the public after two sightings of a large panther type cat in Easter Ross and Sutherland. The latest animal was seen by a member of the public walking between Dornoch Caravan Park and the greenkeeper’s shed at Dornoch Golf Club on Saturday morning. Police are advising members [...]

August 31st, 2010 05:11 PM

Look out for St Kilda mailboat

People visiting Scotland’s beaches are being urged by the National Trust for Scotland to look out for a tiny wooden mailboat which was launched from St Kilda yesterday (Sunday 29 August) to mark the 80th anniversary of the evacuation of the islands. Staff from the conservation charity say the vessel, which is similar to those [...]

August 30th, 2010 05:32 PM