Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland AutumnWinter2015 - Issue22

www.snh.gov.
uk
Scottish Natural Heritage
Autumn / Winter 2015
The Nature of Scotland
Great Trossachs Forest

Scotlands newest
National Nature Reserve
Flows to the Future

Peatland restoration
Mountain biking
Scotland leads the way
Contents
Features
10 Great Expectations

The Great Trossachs Forest

National Nature Reserve
16 Lochaber rescue

Saving a young sea eagle
10
24 Better biking

Scotlands mountain biking

is leading the way
24
28
34
55
28 Flowing into the future

The Flow Countrys exciting

multi-million pound project
Regulars
2

58
Where we are
SNH contact details
3 Welcome
4

Wild calendar
What to see this autumn and
winter
20 News
40 Back to black

Native dark bee breeding

project around Beinn Eighe
44 Whats in a name ?

New addition to Gaelic

place-names library
55 Loch Leven leading by example

Adapting to climate change
58 Making the most of marine data

Improved access to data and
information helps with future

marine decisions
34 Reserve focus

Beinn Eighe and

Loch Maree Islands
48 Area news

Reports from around the country
56 Dualchas coitcheann

/Common heritage

Linking language and environment
64 Keep in touch

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Scotlands nature blog

Our Scotlands nature blog covers a wide range of subjects, and recent posts
have featured St Kildas sea caves, wood ants, bog squads, the Year of Fieldwork,
and the New Zealand flatworm. Follow the blog using the link near the foot of the
homepage on our website.
www.snh.gov.uk
Credits
The magazine of Scottish Natural Heritage
Issue Number 22 Autumn / Winter 2015
Published twice per year
SNH 2015
ISSN 1350 309X
Editor: Jim Jeffrey
Tel. 01738 458528
Cover photo: A misty forest
Photographer: Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Inside cover photo: Scots pine bark detail
Inside cover photographer: Lorne Gill/SNH
Welcome page photographer: Lorne Gill
Photography all images by Lorne Gill/SNH other than Mark Hamblin p6
image 3 in strip; Becky Duncan/SNH p9 image 1 in strip; David Whitaker p9
image 2 in strip, p17, p18 both, p19, p20 top, p49 centre; Niall Benvie p9
image 3 in strip, p 15 top; John McFarlane/Forestry Commission Picture
Library p12; Mark Hamblin/2020VISION p 13, p28, p33 top p51 centre;
Isobel Cameron/Forestry Commission Picture Library p15 bottom left,
Peter Cairns/2020VISION p15 bottom right, p32, p48 centre; SSPCA p16;
Hawkeye Photography p22; Andy McCandlish/Forestry Commission Picture
Library p24, p26 top left and right, p27; Clive Spencer, p26 bottom left, D.C.
Thomson and Co. Ltd. P27; Fergus Gill p31; Margie Ramsey p41, p42 both,
Dr. Jock Ramsay p43, David Steel/SNH p49 left; Jane Dodd/SNH p50 left;
Sue Scott/SNH p50 centre, David Chapman/Alamy p51 left, Lesley McIvor
p51 right; Laurie Campbell/SNH p52 left; Seafish p52 right; Melissa Shaw/
Butterfly Conservation p53 centre; Fiona Ross/South Ayrshire Council p54
left; Yon March Pipdesigns/Alamy p54 right; Linda Pitkin/2020VISION p60
top, Charlie Phillips images p61 bottom; Ben James/SNH p62 top; Alex
Mustard/2020VISION p62 bottom.
Map in Beinn Eighe article : Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2015.
Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database right 2015
To share your views about The Nature of Scotland or suggest articles for
future issues please contact the editor:
SNH Magazine
Battleby, Redgorton,
Perth PH1 3EW
Email: editor@snh.gov.uk
The views expressed in this magazine do not
necessarily reflect those of SNH.
Printed by: J Thomson Colour Printers, Glasgow
JTCP15.5k1015
When youve finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Pass it to another
reader or dispose of it at your local waste-collection point.
Where we are
Area offices
You can contact SNH by

letter, telephone or email.
The following details
should enable you to find
your nearest main office,
but bear in mind that we
also have a number of
offices smaller than those
listed.
Argyll & Outer Hebrides

32 Francis Street,
Stornoway,
Isle of Lewis HS1 2ND
Tel. 01851 705 258
A full list of our offices

appears on the SNH
website: www.snh.gov.uk
Corporate
headquarters
Great Glen House,
Leachkin Road,
Inverness IV3 8NW
Tel. 01463 725 000
Email: enquiries@snh.gov.uk
Other offices
Perth PH1 3EW
Tel. 01738 444 177
Silvan House,
3rd Floor East,
231 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
Tel. 0131 316 2600
Caspian House,
Mariner Court,
Clydebank Business Park,
Clydebank G81 2NR
Tel. 0141 951 4488
Forth
Silvan House,
3rd Floor East,
231 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
Tel. 0131 316 2600
Forth
Strathallan House,
Castle Business Park,
Stirling,
FK9 4TZ
Tel. 01786 450 362
Northern Isles
& North Highland
The Links,
Golspie Business Park,
Golspie,
Sutherland KW10 6UB
Tel. 01408 634 063
Northern Isles
& North Highland
Ground Floor,
Stewart Building,
Alexandra Wharf,
Lerwick,
Shetland ZE1 0LL
Tel. 01595 693 345
South Highland
Fodderty Way,
Dingwall Business Park,
Dingwall IV15 9XB
Tel. 01349 865 333
South Highland
Torlundy,
Fort William
PH33 6SW
Tel. 01397 704 716
Southern Scotland
Greystone Park,
55/57 Moffat Road,
Dumfries DG1 1NP
Tel. 01387 272 440
Strathclyde & Ayrshire
Caspian House,
Mariner Court,
Clydebank Business Park,
Clydebank G81 2NR
Tel. 0141 951 4488
Tayside & Grampian
Perth PH1 3EW
Tel. 01738 444 177
Tayside & Grampian
Inverdee House,
Baxter Street,
Torry,
Aberdeen AB11 9QA
Tel. 01224 266 500
Welcome
Nick Halfhide
Director of Operations
Scottish Natural Heritage
Welcome to the Autumn/Winter edition of The Nature of Scotland. This issue

features a range of stunning places where you can enjoy Scotlands natural
heritage some of them new and some of them old favourites. We hope to
inspire you to get out there and see at first-hand what Scotland has to offer. Our
ever-popular wild calendar article sets the scene by giving tips and advice on
where to go and what to see.
We take a look at the newly announced Great Trossachs Forest National
Nature Reserve. Situated within easy reach of 80% of Scotlands population, the
new reserve will be the biggest in the UK and will create a large-scale forest for
the benefit of wildlife and people. People are also very welcome at Britains oldest
National Nature Reserve at Beinn Eighe, where a brand new visitor centre will
make this fabulous Wester Ross experience even more enjoyable.
It is widely recognised that being out and about is good for our health, and
our feature on mountain biking explores how this sport has expanded hugely in
a relatively short space of time. Crucially, mountain biking increasingly attracts
tourists, bringing welcome trade to many small rural communities.
For some, enjoying nature is about contributing to things, like citizen science,
or completing a hands-on task. In this issue we spotlight the story of a sea eagle
rescue, by Lewis Pate, of the Scottish Raptor Study Group, who went to great
lengths to save an injured young bird. The welfare of our wildlife also lies at the
heart of our feature looking at work near Loch Maree to conserve healthy, native
dark bees at a time when they are under pressure from the varroa mite.
To round off this edition we look at an exciting new online interactive map of
Scotlands seas which will help us make informed decisions about, and ensure a
sustainable future for, Scotlands seas.
Ill finish with a greening note if I may and encourage you to pass on your
copy of the magazine to others once you have finished with it.
Autumn
Wild calendar
Kenny Taylor gives some seasonal tips for

savouring Scottish wildlife and landscapes
Will you notice when the last swallows have gone, or the first flocks of grey geese
breezed in from the north? Will you watch one tree near where you live, to see how its
colours shift at the whim of frosts and winds, before its leaves fall to spangle the ground?
For all its signs of drawing in and sheltering, as hedgehogs and squirrels hole up, as
broadleaved trees grow bare, theres a strength in the changes of autumn. Feel the
power; feel the glow.
And it was all yellow
Blaze of blaes
A perfect little storm
Among the many magnificent tints of

a Scottish autumn, the bright yellow
of larch can shine out with the best of
them. Some larches fringe plantations
of dark green pines, spruces and firs,
where theyve been planted as winter
firebreaks. For larch, unusually, is the
only native European conifer that drops
all its needle-like leaves in autumn.
Other larches give a fanfare of
finery from whole woodlands. Perthshire
is perhaps the best county of all to
appreciate larch trees, in no small
measure thanks to the efforts of several
Planting Dukes of Atholl in the 18th
and 19th centuries.
The first European larches were
brought to the Atholl estates, around
and north of Dunkeld, in 1738. Saplings
collected in the Austrian Tyrol were
carried by stagecoach and then planted
in Perthshire as a future seed source.
One duke is said to have been so
keen to see larches grow on hard-toclimb slopes that he had seeds fired
by cannon up the hillsides. The legacy
now is a beautiful wooded landscape.
And, amazingly, one of the original
Tyrolean larches, now known as The
Parent Larch, still survives near Dunkeld
Cathedral.
Click this: http://community.
highlandtitles.com/2014/09/
tremendous-trees-larch/
Think of autumn colours, and its likely

that strong tones of red will be part of
your imagined palette. Cherry trees can
put on an amazing display of many tints
of their namesake colour, while trees in
the maple family including sycamore
can splash out with scarlet.
But you can also appreciate
autumnal reds at close range by
looking at vegetation underfoot, in
pinewoods where blaeberry thrives.
This low-growing shrub is a boon to
pinewood wildlife in summer, when
moth caterpillars that eat it can in turn
give food for capercaillie chicks.
Come autumn, blaeberry plants
(also known as bilberry and by several
other names south of the Border) drop
their leaves. Before they do this, the
plant converts some of the potential
food stored in its leaves into a form that
can be transported in sap to stem and
roots.
Thats where a group of chemicals
called anthocyanins comes in. Formed
by a reaction between sugars and
proteins in sunlight, they are carried
away from the leaves of blaeberries
and autumnal broadleaved trees as
the plant prepares for leaf fall.
Call it chemistry, in part. But enjoy it
as natural art.
Click this: http://scifun.chem.wisc.
edu/chemweek/fallcolr/fallcolr.html
Its the smallest seabird in Europe,

scarcely larger than a swallow. It comes
ashore during hours of darkness to
visit nest chambers among boulders
or stonework on just a few Scottish
islands, most of them remote.
Yet there could be a storm petrel
flitting past almost any part of the
Scottish coast this autumn, as at
many other times of year. Since the
late 1970s, bird ringers have known
that, by playing recordings of storm
petrel calls at night, they can catch
some of these little seafarers, even on
coasts far removed from the nearest
breeding colony. Many of these birds
are wandering non-breeders, which
far outnumber the Scottish nesting
population. One estimate for Shetland
waters is that there could be up to
123,000 of these wanderers there in
late summer.
Numbers of wandering stormies
decline in autumn. But at this time,
many breeders are still busy feeding
their single, slow-growing chick. Most
of these Scottish youngsters fly out to
sea in late September and October
(some not until November). If they
weather the storms of winter and
beyond, these delicate-seeming, but
surprisingly hardy, seabirds could return
here for several decades.
Click this: http://www.
welcometoscotland.com/aboutscotland/wildlife-around-scotland/
northern-birds-scotland/storm-petrel
www.snh.gov.uk
Autumn
The pupping
season diet
Grey seals are large animals, well
padded with blubber. They need to
be able to cope with the chill of long
dives in cold northern seas, but also to
survive the rigours of the pupping and
mating season.
Scotland is where most of the
more than 100,000 grey seals that
live in the UK (nearly 40% of the
world population) breed. October and
November are peak months for females
to haul-out and pup on remote beaches
and undisturbed islands.
Each female spends around three
to four weeks ashore. During this time
she'll give birth to her single, whitecoated pup, feed it on energy-rich
milk to build up its fat reserves before
it moults, losing its white coat, and
is weaned. At this point the mother
returns to the water beside the colony
and then immediately (and very briefly)
become receptive to mating. Through
all these exertions and bodily changes,
she'll eat nothing.
But the autumn fasting of female
seals is short compared with what the
males endure. Bull seals patrol part of
the colony where they might mate with
a harem of several females. For them,
all the watching, chasing, fretting and
mating can last more than 50 days,
fuelled only by their reserves of body
fat. No wonder they need plenty in the
tank.
Some other things to look for in autumn:

Salmon leaping in some rivers; wader flocks massing in estuaries; roe deer at dusk-lit
woodland edges; different varieties of ripening apples.
Winter
High in the mountains, the first snows of this winter may merge with patches
that kept their cool from the last. Enough cover to shelter voles from hill foxes
and hawks. In burrows under drifts they may hear the glassy tinkle of a snow
bunting flock when it flutters near, or the creak of ptarmigan in high corries.
And in places beneath the sheltering white, buds of purple saxifrage will be
snug and swelling, ready to burst out, purple-pink, at the first melt of the
spring yet to come.
Far and few and fabulous

At around two metres across when outstretched, its wings
have the fifth-widest span in the eagle world. In Scotland,
only the flying barn door shape of a flying sea eagle is larger
in the skies. Yet the golden eagle can be a tricky bird to see.
Even for experienced eagle watchers, close encounters
can be few. Whats more likely is that you could get a distant
winter view of some of a golden eagles territorial and
courtship moves. Choose a comfortable place to sit in a glen
used by eagles (the Highlands and the Hebrides have many
such places) and look across the glen to above the opposite
ridgeline. Keep doing this and the reward could be the sight
www.snh.gov.uk
of an eagle soaring above the mountains, diving, tumbling or

gliding.
Observations like these helped teams of watchers
to record the breeding success of golden eagles across
Scotland in 2015. Results will soon be made public. With
luck, the results of this survey, which was supported by SNH
and the RSPB, will confirm that Scotland is still one of the
most important places in Europe for the species.
Click this: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlandhighlands-islands-31440065
7
Whelk I never
Norwegian Wood,
Scottish branches
Hares looking at you,

perhaps
At first glance, it can look like a strange,

bleached ball thats been lost on a
beach by a child or a dog. Look closer,
and youll see that the ball is made
from hundreds of capsules, whose
appearance and texture is a bit like
bubble wrap.
Ideally, this slightly weird object
should be underwater, attached to a
rock on the seabed. But now stormy
weather and rough seas have wrenched
it off and cast it ashore. Thats bad
news for the common whelks that
invested much energy and effort into
creating it.
Whelks are marine snails that breed
between October and May. They lay
their eggs inside capsules, which the
whelk then sticks together by secreting
its own water-resistant glue. Several
females can combine their efforts,
resulting in what was once known as
a sea washball, used by mariners to
clean hands and body.
You can find empty washballs at
any time of the year. But in autumn,
they can often be yolky with eggs, each
capsule holding a thousand or more.
Most of these eggs are produced
as food for a tiny minority one in
a hundred or less of the whelk
embryos. Unless, of course, it all comes
out in the wash.
Click this: http://www.uksafari.
com/whelks.htm
Thanks to its attractive, pyramidal shape

when young, the Norway spruce is one
of the most popular choices for use as
a decorated Christmas tree. You can
see tall Norway spruces in woodlands
grown to produce wood pulp and
construction timber. But to appreciate
the shape and scale of a mature
Norway spruce, you could also have a
look at some of the large specimens
displayed and decorated at this season
in the heart of some Scottish towns and
cities.
Notable among these are spruces
donated by different parts of Norway
to several towns and cities, including
London, Edinburgh and Kirkwall.
These gifts come as thanks for help
that Britain gave to Norway during the
Second World War. The Norwegian
government was in exile in London
from 1940 (though it met once at
Rothiemurchus) and Scotland was a
training base for Norwegian special
forces soldiers and for secret transfers
of civilians and resistance fighters by
sea.
Thats also why theres a Norwegian
flag flying beside the Scottish saltire
outside the visitor centre in Glenmore
Forest. Its there all year, but at this time
of trees and solstice symbolism, such
places and links can give extra sparkle
to some old tales.
Click this: http://www.norway.org.
uk/norwayandcountry/news/treesthe-magic-number/#.VeRTeUtfTwI
If the winter is snowy, theyll be hard

to spot, these soft-furred survivalists
of the hills and moors. As colours of
upland plants strengthen then fade, so
the coats of mountain hares change to
blend-in with the shifting background.
Mottled grey-brown in spring and
autumn, pure grey-brown in summer,
then white as a Grampian snowdrift by
late November: thats how a mountain
hares coat changes through the year.
All this seasonal camouflage helps a
mountain hare to avoid detection by
golden eagles (very partial to fresh
hare), foxes and humans.
Mountain hares begin to breed in
late winter, and can produce two or
three litters of leverets each year. If
you manage to detect a group of hares
early in the breeding season, you may
see the occasional bout of boxing
more familiar from brown hares in the
lowlands. This is when two hares rearup and pummel their forelegs and paws
against each other.
For reasons not yet fully understood,
mountain hare numbers have slumped
by more than 40% since the late
1990s. This means that worryingly
its not just camouflage that can make
mountain hares challenging to find
these days.
Click this: http://www.harepreservation-trust.co.uk/mountain.
php
Winter
Some other things to look for in winter:
Frost flower patterns on glass and car bonnets; long-tailed tits at feeders; paw-prints in
snow; dry flowerheads of umbellifers.
www.snh.gov.uk
Great Expectations
The Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve is
the UKs newest and largest. Home to iconic wildlife it
also offers great opportunities for recreation, as project
manager Sue Morris explains.
10
www.snh.gov.uk
11
The Great Trossachs Forest

National Nature Reserve is a
huge conservation project in
the heart of Loch Lomond &
The Trossachs National Park.
Covering a vast area of 16,500
hectares, it accounts for nearly
one-tenth of the National Park
area, and is the largest reserve
in the UK.
Although this National Nature Reserve

is newly announced, RSPB, Woodland
Trust and Forestry Commission
Scotland have actually been working
together since 2009 to create and
restore a mosaic of native woodlands
and open hill habitats, supported by the
Heritage Lottery Fund.
Its a project that also involves
sharing the human history of the area,
as well as creating great opportunities
for visitors, including cyclists and
walkers. Crucially, the reserve is within
an hours drive for 80% of Scotlands
population.
2
RSPB
Scotland
Forestry Commission
Scotland
Loch Katrine
Inversnaid
Woodland Trust
Scotland
Glen Finglas
Loch Katrine
Loch Arklet
The Great
Trossachs Forest
Loch Lomond &

The Trossachs
National Park area
Stirling
Balloch
Glasgow
12
A legacy for nature
Ambition lies at the very heart of

the new reserves ethos. The Great
Trossachs Forest plan is a 200-year
commitment. During this time, the main
aim of our work will be to celebrate
and promote the incredible beauty
of the area and to restore, protect
and enhance our native habitats. This
extensive time frame and geographic
scale will allow species both the time
and the space to react and adapt to
the changes that are likely as a result of
climate change.
The work that has been started
will continue for centuries and should
ensure that future generations will be
able to enjoy the area. It also gives the
partners the opportunity to monitor
changes and react accordingly.
This is a crucial point as The Great
Trossachs Forest was born out of the
Scottish Forest Alliance. As part of
this alliance a monitoring programme
was established that is recording the
amount of above and below ground
carbon being stored by our restoration
work and also how this ecosystem is
functioning. This measuring work will
continue over the 200-year lifetime of
the project.
A vast mosaic of habitats

The Great Trossachs Forest covers
an array of important habitats, which
include ancient woodland, western
Atlantic oak woodland (often described
as Scotlands rainforest) and upland
wood pasture.
A total of 1.5 million native trees
have been planted over the past six
years and are connecting these varied
surroundings whilst forming a diverse
woodland corridor straddling the
project area. This woodland corridor
will ultimately be a beautiful mixture of
native species, age structure and tree
density with an uneven forest edge.
The area is home to iconic species
such as golden eagles, ospreys, red
squirrels and pine martens, and by
investing time and resources in the
new National Nature Reserve The
Great Trossachs Forest will remain
www.snh.gov.uk
13
The new reserve is

within an hours drive
for 80% of Scotlands
population
a significant home and sanctuary for

wildlife. This is neatly demonstrated by
the black grouse, numbers of which,
after a hard-earned period of increase,
have remained stable in recent years,
thus bucking a national decline.
It isnt only mammals and birds
that will benefit from the new reserve.
Rare butterflies and moths, including
the pearl-bordered fritillary and the
narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth, have
recently been discovered, providing a
good indication that their habitats are
recovering from a previously overgrazed
state. These are woodland edge and
glade species that need only light
grazing and an abundance of nectarrich wildflowers especially bugle for
the former, and devils bit scabious for
the latter to thrive.
The Great Trossachs Forest will
offer something special for those
inspired by the arts. The area is
steeped in cultural history and our
art and literature trail celebrates a
number of important figures who have
been influenced by the area. Amongst
those featured are painters including
John Ruskin and The Glasgow Boys,
who drew inspiration from the superb
scenery, and Sir Walter Scott, whose
writings brought the legend of Rob Roy
and the Lady of the Lake to life.
Boots, bikes and boats

Modern-day visitors can enjoy a
network of paths offering fantastic
views. These range from a twentyminute walk to a two-day trek along
The Great Trossachs Path, one of
Scotlands Great Trails. The Great
14
Trossachs Path along with some of our

loop walks also offer some fantastic
cycling opportunities.
Another great way to enjoy the
spectacular scenery of the area is by
boat, and there are a number of cruising
options, most notably the steamship Sir
Walter Scott, that plies Loch Katrine.
Thanks to the Heritage Lottery
Fund we have created new facilities
to help visitors explore. Our two new
visitor gateways provide information on
the work of the partners and highlight
what there is to do in the area. These
facilities the RSPB Gateway is in
the Garrison car park at Inversnaid and
the Woodland Trust Gateway is in the
Lendrick Hill car park just outside Brig
o Turk are a great starting point for
your adventure in The Great Trossachs
Forest.
Volunteers welcome
Finally, if you are interested in getting
involved we are always looking
for volunteers. As well as regular
conservation volunteering, such as
helping with surveys and species
monitoring, we have a number of roles,
including being a volunteer speaker
and helping to greet visitors to our
gateways.
So there is a new kid on the block
in the suite of Scotlands National
Nature Reserves. The Great Trossachs
Forest may be the latest but chances
are it will quickly prove to be one of the
most popular.
To find out more about Scotlands
largest National Nature Reserve visit
www.thegreattrossachsforest.co.uk
1
With ancient
woodlands, and
dramatic hillside
scenery, the new
National Nature
Reserve has
something special to
offer.
2
More than one million
trees have been
planted here in the
past six years.
4
Oak woodland
provides interest all
year round.
5
The Great Trossachs
Path suits all abilities
and ages.
6
Red squirrels will
benefit from the rich
woodlands.
3
Pine marten; one of the
iconic species found in
this area.
www.snh.gov.uk
15
Lochaber rescue
Scottish Raptor Study volunteer Lewis Pate sprang to the
rescue in June when a routine monitoring trip near Loch Arkaig
turned serious.
Ordinarily Lewis Pate, a conservation officer with the
Scottish Raptor Study Group, enjoys his close-up and
personal experiences with young eagles in their eyries.
However, back in June he made a surprising and
distressing discovery at Loch Arkaig in Lochaber. A whitetailed eagle chick that he was about to ring was clearly in
difficulty, and on closer inspection it transpired that the
young eagle had swallowed two fish hooks and become
tightly wrapped up in the lines attached to them.
Without help the eaglet would surely have perished, but
there is a happy ending to Lewiss story. Together with local
gamekeeper Mark Hirst he was able to whisk the bird off for
treatment. The sea eagle chick was operated on and is now
reintroduced to the area it originated from.
To the rescue
Golden eagles and their white-tailed counterparts are
closely monitored by Scottish Raptor Study Groups across
Scotland, and Lewis works in the busy Highland Group
area.
The eyrie was very remote and high in the top of an old
Scots pine overlooking Loch Arkaig. Having identified that
the bird needed rapid help was one thing, doing so in such
tricky surrounds was quite something else.
The line was wrapped around the birds body so tightly
it was actually very difficult to see it at first, recalled Lewis.
It soon became apparent that, without careful removal and
ongoing professional treatment, the bird was to suffer a
prolonged and unpleasant death.
I was monitoring the nest site for breeding success
and gathering biological data in a very remote area with few
people and no phone signal. The decision to remove the bird
from the eyrie was not an easy one as the implications for
transport and possible subsequent release were complex
and time consuming. I carefully removed the fishing line and
lowered the bird from the eyrie. Thereafter it was transported
by boat across the loch, then by 4x4 over tracks, onward by
car then van to Inverness and finally to the Scottish Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) in Alloa.
16
1
An x-ray clearly shows
the pike hooks inside
the young eagle.
2
The sea eagle is a key
focus for the Scottish
Raptor Study Group.
www.snh.gov.uk
17
3
Loch Arkaig was the
scene of the sea eagle
rescue.
4
The view from the Loch
Arkaig viewing hide.
5
The young sea eagle
was released where it
was reared.
18
I believe eagles are

a valuable asset
for Scotland.
Happily the SSPCA, with its amazing vet Romain Pizzi,

had the experience and determination to save the bird by
removing the two large pike hooks and wire trace from its
stomach. Romain skilfully used an endoscope (a long, thin,
tube) to reach the hooks. The bird (a young male now named
Brahma) was then cared for by Colin Seddon, the rescue
centre manager, and appeared to do well.
Return to the wild

The bird was released back to the natal area and provided
with a food supply for sufficient time to allow it to fend for
itself. This was possible as there had been minimal human
contact for the eaglet during its recuperation which is
essential to giving it the best chance of survival in the wild.
Of course, there is no guarantee of long-term survival;
however, without the actions of everyone involved the eagle
would certainly have died some time ago.
Lewis has gathered a deal of more conventional
experience working with the Raptor Study Group. I have
been working with golden and white-tailed eagles for a while
now, he explains, and continue to develop my knowledge
with training and support from members of Highland Raptor
Study Group.
The work is strenuous but very satisfying and requires
a large amount of personal time in remote and often
spectacular areas of the Highlands. There is nothing quite
like sitting on an exposed eagle's eyrie with one of the most
amazing wild creatures in your care while you work with
these stunning birds. It often seems like an extremely stupid
place to be, hanging on the end of a rope being scratched
and bitten by a very unimpressed bird and eaten by midges.
www.snh.gov.uk
6
However, it is one of the most rewarding experiences I
continue to have and could recommend it to anyone looking
for an insight into the world of eagles.
I believe eagles are a valuable asset for Scotland, and
a spectacle that should be enjoyed responsibly by people.
If certain sensible rules are observed, and the birds are not
disturbed during sensitive breeding times, they can provide
an unforgettable experience.
The continuing co-operation between volunteers like
Lewis and Scottish Gamekeepers Association members like
Mark Hirst often goes unnoticed. But in this instance their
local knowledge, quick thinking and astonishing commitment,
to save one of Scotlands most iconic birds ensured a great
conservation outcome.
More information:
If land managers are concerned about the presence of
white-tailed eagles in proximity to their livestock, SNH
operates a Sea Eagle Management scheme, details of which
can be found in our guidance booklet: http://www.snh.gov.
uk/docs/A1633348.pdf
There is a well-constructed hide at Loch Arkaig to view
eagles. The hide is the result of a collaboration between
SNH, Achnacarry Estate, and Forestry Commission Scotland
in Lochaber. Details from Achnacarry Estate: http://www.
achnacarry.com/news/sea-eagle-hide
Highland Raptor Study Group would welcome reports
of sightings of sea eagles from the hide at Loch Arkaig or
anywhere else in Scotland. These can be sent to Justin
Grant (Species Co-ordinator) at justin.grant@freeuk.org
19
NEWS
20
A Year of Fieldwork
September saw the launch of the Year of Fieldwork at
the Millport Field Centre. Led by the Field Studies Council
and supported by many organisations, this is a wonderful
opportunity to promote field studies the doing, teaching,
enjoying and wider benefits.
Fieldwork is done in the field not in the lab or in the
office, but outside. Most of it involves seeing, listening,
observing and recording, and a lot of it can be experimental.
It can be tough and tedious, but we love it and find it
rewarding and enriching. And its not just research that
takes place in the field teaching and learning happen here,
Bog Squad surprises
and there is growing evidence for the wider value of taking
school
students out of the classroom into the outdoors.
Would you like to be a member of
Arguably
many of our greatest environmentalists owe
Scotlands Bog Squad or just know
their
fame
to
fieldwork Charles Darwin, John Muir,
more about this group with the unique
Fraser
Darling,
Rachel Carson, E.O. Wilson and David
name?
Attenborough
would
not be household names had they not
The Bog Squad is run by Butterfly
enjoyed
being
in
the
field.
Conservation Scotland and is made up
We look forward to many events and activities marking
of volunteers, who help repair damaged
the
importance of fieldwork. Schools, universities and many
peat bogs across the Central Belt,
environmental
organisations are involved in promoting this.
with funding from the Scottish Natural
Welcoming
this
special year, Andrew Bachell, Director of
Heritage-led Peatland Action project.
Policy
and
Advice,
reflected on the many benefits: Almost
As well as helping restore habitat, the
everything
we
know
about nature comes from fieldwork,
squads offer a great chance to enjoy the
from
observing
and
recording
plants and animals and the
outdoors and wildlife with like-minded
interactions
between
them
and
with people. In order to give
people.
SNH
rely
on
good
quality surveys, monitoring
advice
we
in
Occasionally, some interesting
and
assessments
made
in
the
field.
But it is not just the
species crop up. A rare and unusual
science
and
the
understanding
that
is important, there
moth that disguises itself as a bee was
is
also
great
satisfaction
that
comes
from making those
recently discovered at a Lanarkshire
observations
personally
and
building
first-hand experience.
nature reserve. The narrow-bordered
The
opportunity
to
undertake
fieldwork
in the past has
bee hawk is a day-flying moth that
certainly
benefited
me
and
it
was
often
very enjoyable. I
closely resembles a bumblebee it
urge
schools,
universities
and
other
educational
bodies to
buzzes like a bee and can even hover
encourage
fieldwork
as
a
thoroughly
enriching
and
lasting
bee-like when feeding at flower heads.
educational
activity.
The moth is rare in Scotland, but most
often found in Argyll and the Highlands.
In June, a Bog Squad event at
a small pond in Logierait Wood near
Pitlochry in Perth and Kinross threw
up an exciting discovery. This time, the
focus of interest was a green hairstreak
butterfly sighting. The green hairstreak
occurs throughout Scotland but it
is not seen often due to its amazing
camouflage.
A small butterfly, on the wing in May
and June, its upperwings are brown
in colour, making it very hard to see in
flight. But the butterfly always settles
with its wings firmly closed, revealing the
beautiful iridescent jade-green colour of
its underwings.
Find out more about the Bog Squad
at www.bogsquad.weebly.com
NEWS
Improving bogs in East Ayrshire

The coalfields of East Ayrshire are gaining new life, thanks to the East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment
Initiative (CEI), a partnership between East Ayrshire Council and environmental organisations.
The project team has been busy improving peatland habitat, using innovative techniques to
improve the hydrology on sensitive sites, which, like the majority of bogs in the UK, have been
damaged from past land-use.
Since 2013, the CEI has helped restore 300 hectares of peatland at:
Airds Moss, RSPB Reserve in Muirkirk
Forestry Commission Scotland-owned Tappethill Moss, near Skares
Dalmellington Moss, Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve in Dalmellington
At Airds Moss, CEI has installed 4000 peat dams, a number of embankments, and plastic piling
dams. The project team has also felled large areas of Sitka spruce plantation at Tappethill Moss, and at
Dalmellington Moss constructed a 1km embankment to slow water-loss via a roadside ditch.
These measures will not only improve the habitat and the wildlife that the moss supports, but also
increase connections between habitats by opening up areas of previously forested bog.
After carrying out surveys at additional sites, CEI has identified more opportunities to restore bogs
with local landowners, and is encouraging farmers to apply for funding through the Scottish Rural
Development Programme and government funds such as Peatland Action.
The CEI has an excellent team of volunteers who regularly monitor the peatland sites for any
changes in water level, as well as monitoring plants and animals, including moths, beetles, reptiles and
small mammals. This is essential to determine if works have been successful in the long term and it's
great fun too.
The CEIs work is funded by SNH, the Heritage Lottery Fund, SEPA, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Minerals Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland, Peatland Action and the European Community.
www.snh.gov.uk
21
NEWS
Flying bridges for path extension
In July, three bridges and other path materials were airlifted on to the Kilpatrick Hills by helicopter to
complete a new five-mile section of the John Muir Way.
SNH, sportscotland, Legacy 2014 Active Places, and Forestry Commission Scotland funded the
492,000 project, as part of the 134-mile coast-to-coast route from Helensburgh to Dunbar.
The new section of the path will provide a scenic alternative to the Balloch to Carbeth section of
the John Muir Way, and will help reduce the amount of walking on public road. The new path will be
slightly shorter but over more challenging terrain. But the present low-level route, which makes some
use of the West Highland Way, will still be available as an easier option, particularly suited to cyclists.
The John Muir Way is an easy and enjoyable route for the three million people who live in the
Central Belt to enjoy the outdoors every day by foot, bicycle, and even by horseback in some places.
The route is waymarked with John Muir Way signs, and a website, book, leaflets and maps give you all
the information you need to complete all or part of the trail.
The new section of the path is due to open in November, but will be formally launched in the spring
with a day of celebration and activities.
For more information, see johnmuirway.org and www.forestry.gov.uk/kilpatrickhills
22
NEWS
A special venue
Are you looking for somewhere to hold a meeting or
event? Close to Perth is Battleby, home to Scottish Natural
Heritages Training and Conference Centre a collection of
well-equipped meeting spaces, in a variety of sizes, which
may now be hired by other organisations.
Battleby is situated in a beautiful natural location and
has the flexibility to cater for small meetings, large events,
product launches, and many other uses. Its even been used
for a wedding! Our spacious meeting rooms can be adapted
in layout to suit up to 160 delegates, and with video and
teleconferencing facilities your colleagues can join in without
even leaving their desks.
Ample parking and historic grounds allow outdoor space
for team-building exercises or just for a lovely walk during
breaks. As an SNH office, our grounds also showcase
examples of good conservation practice, which may be
useful if your topic includes the environment or nature.
You can also rest easy about your environmental
footprint. Battleby has strong green credentials, including
heating from biomass boilers, solar thermal panels and a
ground-source heat pump. Composting, recycling, and
sustainable transport are also available; Battleby sits close
to a cycle route and cycle parking is available.
To find out more about our facilities, give us a call on
01738 444177 to discuss your needs.
More information at www.snh.gov.uk/contact-us/
battleby-conference-centre
www.snh.gov.uk
New Rum deer booklet

A new SNH booklet on deer research
has just been published. Written by
Professors Josephine Pemberton
and Loeske Kruuk at the University
of Edinburgh, it provides fascinating
insights to the behaviour, life histories,
population dynamics, genetics, and
most recently, climate change effects
on deer.
The deer have responded in many
ways to climate change, though effects
are difficult to determine. Since 1980,
key times in the deer year (start and
end of the mating season, calf birth
dates, and when males clean and shed
their antlers) are all now occurring
between 5 and 12 days earlier.
A longer growing-season has also
increased plant growth, which could
allow the land to support more deer. A
small but steady increase in the hind
(female) population could be evidence
for this. Deer are managed throughout
Scotland, and though increased plant
growth will favour higher numbers
of deer, this would mean that more
effort needs to be devoted to their
management.
Climate change should cause the
balance to shift within ecosystems.
Timings of the deer year may change,
in, or out of synch with the growing
season. The future will therefore
demand very careful and adaptive
management.
You can read the booklet on the
publications section of our website.
23
24
Better biking
It may be hard to believe, but mountain
bikes were only introduced to the UK in
1982. Since then, Scotland has been
leading the way in mountain biking
development.
Mountain biking is now estimated to
be worth around 145m a year to the
Scottish economy. Its a significant
tourism draw and, with over one million
Scots owning a mountain bike, its a
great way for Scotland to be a healthier
and happier nation.
It was obvious that Scotland was a
natural home for mountain biking. With
our stunning scenery, a vast resource
of drove roads and path networks and,
in many areas, a strong tradition of
access coupled with a healthy outdoor
culture, Scotland and mountain biking
were an ideal match. Indeed, the UKs
first purpose-built trails were created
in the Highlands as early as 1988, and
Rothiemurchus Estate near Aviemore
hosted the UKs first televised World
Cup in 1991.
trail centre development in Wales, saw

this as a great opportunity to develop
a linked network of trail centres across
the south of Scotland, creating a worldclass destination for mountain bikers.
Thus, the 7stanes mountain biking trails
were born and their success inspired
many destinations across Scotland to
replicate the trail centre model.
These centres, combined with the
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003,
reinforcing responsible access, meant
that mountain biking in Scotland was
leading the way globally. Indeed, the
International Mountain Bike Association
(IMBA) awarded Scotland Global
Superstar status in 2006 and 2007.
A study at that time indicated that
there were 1.2 million visits to the
Scottish outdoors on mountain bikes
per year, roughly split 50:50 between
purpose-built centres and multi-use
Boom years
paths.
Although the trail centres were
When the countryside and outdoor
undoubted
successes, there were
sector was devastated by foot and
doubts
about
their long-term future,
mouth disease in 2001, the European
and
there
was
continued pressure on
Union encouraged innovative ideas
Forestry
Commission
Scotland to keep
to regenerate the rural economy,
developing
new
trail
centres
across the
particularly in the south of Scotland.
country.
Forestry Commission staff, inspired by a
www.snh.gov.uk
25
World's first national

framework
Key agencies involved in mountain
biking and all the cycling organisations
in Scotland began developing
the worlds first national strategic
framework for mountain biking (the
Framework). It was launched in 2010
with three key aims:
increase participation leading to
improved health and well-being;
maximise economic growth through
tourism and business development;
and
help Scots achieve on the world
stage through the sport of mountain
biking.
The Framework has been
implemented over the last six years
by a partnership project, Developing
26
Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS).

The project is hosted by Scottish
Cycling and is co-ordinated and
funded by a partnership which includes
Scottish Natural Heritage.
DMBinS has achieved a lot in a
short period of time. The project has, for
example, developed an industry-leading
website and has an active social media
community.
Furthermore, over the last three
years, mountain biking projects have
secured 2.5 million through the Active
Places Fund to develop trails close
to towns and cities across Scotland,
many with the support of DMBinS.
Six new family-friendly visitor centres
have been created at some of the most
popular trails centres, and over 400km
of natural trails have been mapped
and promoted, with the cooperation of
landowners and managers.
The mountain biking sector, and

over 350 businesses, has been greatly
helped by DMBinS; the partnership
has improved our knowledge of how to
accommodate and improve experiences
for mountain bikers.
At the same time, to improve
mountain bikers understanding of
the need for responsible behaviour,
DMBinS has developed a complete
guide to responsible mountain biking
Do the Ride Thing accompanied by
a fun and innovative computer game.
The future is looking good

The future is looking bright for Scottish
mountain biking. With more trails being
developed closer to urban areas, we
expect more and more people to get on
their bikes and join in!
There are still areas to develop

including adding facilities for key
tourism locations, hosting more major
events, and improving marketing. But
with the great momentum behind
cycling in Scotland, its difficult to
imagine anything but more and more
growth.
For more information on Developing
Mountain Biking in Scotland visit www.
DMBinS.com
Increased participation
in mountain biking
helps with improved
health and well-being.
1
Cycling brings social
and economic
benefits.
2
Scotland has a range
of scenic trails.
3
Fresh air and getting
close to nature are part
of the lure of mountain
biking.
4
All ages enjoy cycling.
Article courtesy of Graeme MacLean,

Project Manager for DMBinS
www.snh.gov.uk
27
Flowing into the future

An exciting multi-million pound project to restore peatland and raise
awareness of The Flow Country is underway, as Ian Mitchell, an
Operations Officer in our Golspie office, explains.
28
The Flow Country is a vast,

rolling expanse of peatland in
Caithness and Sutherland in the
north of Scotland. It is the largest
stretch of blanket bog in Europe
and is home to a rich variety of
wildlife.
Blanket bog covers approximately
50% of the total area of Caithness and
Sutherland, and the area we know as
The Flow Country, with its deep peat
and typical patterned pools, covers a
staggering 200,000 hectares.
Flows to the Future is an ambitious
10.5 million Heritage Lottery
Funded project, led by The Peatlands
Partnership, with RSPB Scotland as
the lead partner. It aims to restore areas
of blanket bog damaged by forestry
planting, and other activities, in the
heart of The Flow Country.
It will also promote and develop our
knowledge about the role of peat and
carbon storage, involve people around
the world with this precious habitat and
deliver real economic benefits for one
of the least densely populated areas in
Scotland.
The project began in June 2014 and
will run for five years until the autumn of
2019.
www.snh.gov.uk
29
Restoration tackles
climate change
Around half of the Flows to the Future
project budget is intended for peatland
restoration work, mainly on RSPBs
Forsinard Flows National Nature
Reserve.
Healthy peatlands keep carbon
locked up and continue to absorb and
store it through time. Damaged bogs
give off gases that contribute to climate
change, and peatland restoration will
ensure that these blanket bogs can act
as a better carbon store.
Commercial conifer plantations that
were planted on deep peat in the past
are being felled and then forestry drains
and furrows are being blocked across
an area of more than 180 hectares
each year for the five years of the
project. Thats a total annual restoration
area about the size of 450 football
pitches. These works will let the water
levels recover and specialist peatland
plants and animals return.
In addition to restoring about seven
square miles of blanket bog habitat, the
Flows to the Future project plans to:
Promote The Flow Country as a key
wildlife tourism destination to UK
and international audiences.
Promote the new Flows Lookout
viewing tower and develop five
roadside interpretation sites across

The Flow Country to give panoramic
views of the peatlands and provide
a trail for visitors to visit and learn
about the peatlands.
Improve the existing visitor centre
at Forsinard, as well as provide a
new car park and upgrade the Dubh
Lochan Trail a fascinating short
trail across blanket bog to an area
of natural dark peaty pools, known
in Gaelic as dubh lochans.
Create improved and increased
access, develop interpretation and
learning opportunities for people
across The Flow Country, including
an active schools programme and
other community activities.
Establish a peatland science
centre of excellence at Forsinard,
by creating a new field centre
to provide accommodation and
facilities for volunteers and research
students to study the role of
peatlands as a carbon store.
Develop an interactive website,
a documentary film, a multimedia
video, and an online 3D virtual
model of The Flow Country with
integrated carbon capture game.
Blanket bog covers

approximately 50%
of the total area
of Caithness and
Sutherland
30
1
The Flows Lookout
tower is set to be a
popular tourist
attraction.
www.snh.gov.uk
31
Teamwork is the key

The Peatland Partnership has
appointed five staff to run the project.
Caroline Eccles heads the team as the
overall Project Manager, supported by
Judith Crow (Project Administrator),
Angela Simpson (Communities Officer),
Sjoerd Tel (Learning Officer) and
Gearoid Murphy (Peatlands Advisory
Officer). Although these jobs are only
for the five-year life of the project, this
is a significant employment boost in a
fragile rural area.
Communicating about this good
32
work is another key goal. Glasgowbased Maramedia, the company that

produced the beautiful four-part BBC
series Hebrides Islands on the
Edge, has been appointed to create a
30-minute documentary film about The
Flow Country. The film will be shown
in visitor centres around The Flow
Country, across the UK, and beyond.
Projects come, and projects go,
but this one has the hallmarks of being
something that will make an impact
across a very large area for many
generations to come.
For more information on the
project and its supporters, see http://
flowstothefuture.com
Did you know ?
Flows to the Future is led by The Peatlands

Partnership which is made up of:
Scottish Natural Heritage,

Forestry Commission Scotland,
The Highland Council,
RSPB Scotland,
Plantlife Scotland,
The Environmental Research Institute (University of the
Highlands and Islands),
Highlands and Islands Enterprise,
The Flow Country Rivers Trust,
The Northern Deer Management Group,
The Highland Third Sector Interface.
www.snh.gov.uk
Did you know?

The Flow Country in Caithness and
Sutherland is the largest expanse of
blanket bog in Europe and is home to
a rich variety of wildlife.
Protecting Scotlands peatlands
is important to us all: peat soils in
Scotland contain almost 25 times as
much carbon as all other plantlife in
the UK.
Scotlands peatlands are designated
as both Sites of Special Scientific
Interest and part of the Natura 2000
series of sites, because of their
national and European importance for
wildlife and habitat conservation.
Peatlands are found in at least 175
countries and cover around 4 million
km or 3% of the world's land area.
The UK is among the top ten nations
of the world in terms of its total
peatland area. The UK has between
9 and 15% of Europe's peatland
area and about 13% of the worlds
blanket bog - one of the world's rarest
habitats.
Blanket bog is found only where
theres lots of rainfall and not much
evaporation. A blanket of peat
develops over large areas of ground.
Underneath the living peatland
surface of The Flow Country is an
estimated 200 million tonnes of
carbon. Thats more than twice the
amount found in all of Britains forests
combined.
2
Removing forestry is a
key objective in this
project.
3
Red-throated diver are
amongst the species
that rely on this area
for suitable habitat.
4
Sundew, a fascinating
specialist bog plant.
33
Special Reserve
Beinn Eighe was Scotlands very first National
Nature Reserve and a new visitor centre will
ensure it remains one of our most popular
reserves for some time to come.
34
Reserve focus
Scotlands National Nature Reserves are where
you can experience and see some of our finest
landscapes and wildlife. They are situated
throughout the country and are fantastic places
to visit.
The dramatic mountain range that lies at the heart

of this reserve is made up of seven rocky peaks and
ridges which form Beinn Eighe. At the summit there
is a panoramic spine of pale glittering mountain tops
that stretch into the distance. This is some of the most
spectacular scenery anywhere in Scotland.
Below the mountain tops are some of Europes finest
Beinn Eighe was our first reserve back in 1951 and its still
uplands. The area begins above the pinewood, where
one of our best. It covers 48 square kilometres stretching
a fringe of scrub birch and pine marks its upper edge.
from loch-side to mountain top and as well as being famed
Higher up, the scrub gives way to low-growing dwarf
for its ancient woodlands and stunning wildlife it is an area of
juniper and heather speckled with blueberry, cowberry,
great geological interest.
clubmosses and sedges. Much of this open expanse
To help visitors better appreciate the reserve, a new-look
resembles an Arctic environment. As a result, plants such
centre has been opened. A 330,000 restoration includes
as dwarf willow and prostrate juniper grow to only a few
a makeover for the local trail interpretation, state of the art
centimetres above ground because of the severe climate.
back-lit information panels and a new wildlife viewing hide.
So whether you love scenery, wildlife, plants, geology
Our new centre is the focal point for visitors to the National
or simply peace and quiet there is bound to be something
Nature Reserve, around 50,000 of whom will have a chance
to appeal in this special corner of Wester Ross.
to better appreciate and perhaps even see golden eagle,
red deer, white-tailed eagle, and black-throated diver, amid a
classic Wester Ross backdrop.
www.snh.gov.uk
35
ai
Scots pine
s-L
ei
na
la
Loch Allt
an Daraich
ill
Co
ar
ee
ch
32
Lo
A8
Mountain trail
Woodland trail
tir
Loch
Bhanabhaig
1 km
The Mountain Trail

The walk that we suggest here is the 6.5 km mountain
trail. This is a serious hill-walk with some very steep
sections, a deep gorge and a considerable distance to
cover, so it must not be undertaken lightly. It begins and
ends in the trails car park at the side of Loch Maree,
about 3 km north-west of Kinlochewe on the A832
Inverness to Gairloch road.
Take the path under the road. Immediately upon
reaching the first bridge (at the end of the tunnel) go
left along the path through the trees.
Rather than provide a step-by-step account of the
walk we have picked out some highlights for you to
enjoy.
It is handy to have our little Mountain Trail booklet to help

you enjoy this walk. The free booklet is available in the visitor
centre or from dispensers in the car park.
A carefully positioned bench gives you a chance to pause
and soak in the scent of the surrounding Scots pine. It was
the presence of remnants of ancient Caledonian pine forest
that convinced the then Nature Conservancy to buy Beinn
Eighe and declare it a National Nature Reserve in 1951.
Man and wildlife have benefited equally from this
magnificent tree, and if you are lucky you might spot one of
the birds that makes particular use of the Scots pine the
crossbill. A finch-sized bird, it uses its crossed beak to tease
out pine seeds from cones.
2
Tansley Bog
Once you cross the tumbling burn you are onto noticeably
steeper ground. This is the time to consider if the mountain
trail is for you as the forest stroll becomes something more
serious.
The first reward if you press on is that you have a chance
to look down and see Coille na Glas-Leitire from above. The
chairman of the then Nature Conservancy in 1951 was the
pioneering ecologist Sir Arthur Tansley and the open area
you see is Tansley Bog named in his honour. The bog
is covered with several species of sphagnum moss and is
moist all year round. For some species, including dragonflies,
this is a vital habitat.
3
Navigation challenge
Gradually the wood fades and wonderful views over to

Slioch open up. Slioch stands tall at 981m and is topped
with red-brown Torridonian sandstone, which also forms
much of the lower slopes of Beinn Eighe. But on Beinn
Eighe the sandstone is hidden as Ice Age glaciers spread
blankets of debris over those lower slopes.
36
www.snh.gov.uk
37
1
The new visitor centre
interior.
2
Ancient pine wood and
Tansley bog.
3
Great views of Loch
Maree and Slioch await
on the mountain trail.
4
Lunar Loch, a beautiful
spot to enjoy a break.
5
The gorge is one of the
most impressive
features on this walk.
38
On Beinn Eighes barren upper slopes, the glacial

deposits peter out and soils are noticeably thinner. Bare
white Cambrian quartzite rock rises to scree-covered
peaks. You will need to keep your navigational skills tuned
in. Steering your way through this area requires care: look
out for the frequent cairns, which can be tricky to spot.
Stay near to the crags and you shouldnt go far wrong, and
keep an eye out for steep steps to the higher ground.
4
Room for a view
The conservation cairn marks the summit of the walk. And,

as you would expect, the views from this highest point are
sensational.
Across the valley, the twin arms of Ruadh-stac Beag
(Smaller Red Hill) and Creag Dubh (Black Crag) stretch
towards you from beyond Sgurr Ban (White Peak). Ruadhstac Mor (Large Red Hill), highest of the Beinn Eighe
range, sits at the right of the main ridge. Grey and white
are the main shades of those high slopes and screes,
covered with crumblings of pale quartzite. From here you
will head across a plateau passing Loch Allt an Daraich
and the way is marked by small cairns.
5
Lunar Loch
This loch lies about half-way through the mountain trail.

Named in commemoration of the 1969 moon landing, the
loch sits in a flattish expanse where the plants are low
and hug the ground in order to retain any heat and ensure
maximum shelter in an exposed spot. On a hot day this is a
good spot to cool off and to scan the skies for any passing
eagles or ravens; the latter, with their distinctive croaking
call, are a real delight on a day in the hills.
The path around Lunar Loch offers a splendid view
to Meall a' Ghiubhais. The mountain trail is a great way
to reach this rugged Corbett which is noted for giving
excellent views of both Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree.
6
Fault, chasm and abyss
Having passed An t-Allt, a tumbling, plunging burn, the

walk next offers up a view of a gorge that can be breathtaking. It has been described by some as an abyss, but
whatever the terminology it is spectacular in the extreme.
Be sure to keep to the path, and do not approach the
edge.
After enjoying the view into the deep chasm you are
almost back in the forest where you join the Woodland
Trail to make your weary way back to the car park.
Here there is a choice as you can either take a left or
a right to sample this gentle trail. Either way the contrast
with your mountain experience is quite marked but equally
enjoyable.
www.snh.gov.uk
Essential information
Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree NNR is situated in Wester

Ross. The newly-refurbished visitor centre is located
near to the village of Kinlochewe. You can reach it from
both the A832 and A896 roads.
The visitor centre is open from April to October,
but the toilets and trails are open all year round. Three
all-abilities trails leave from the centre. The self-guided
woodland and mountain trails leave from the side of the
A832.
OS maps
Explorer 433 (Torridon Beinn Eighe & Liathach)
Landranger 19 (Gairloch & Ullapool)
Trails
Beginning at the lochside car park, the Mountain Trail
runs for roughly 6.5 km and will take between three and
four hours to complete.
Terrain
Stout footwear is recommended for the Mountain Trail.
Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and
local guidance at the reserve. Please keep your dog(s)
under close control or on a short lead at sensitive times
such as during the bird breeding season (April to July)
and comply with any notices you see. A short lead is
taken to be two metres, and under close control means
that the dog is able to respond to your commands and
kept close at heel.
Nearby attractions
A little farther away are a couple of other National Nature
Reserves you can visit:
Corrieshalloch Gorge NNR step warily onto a
suspension bridge above the gorge and enjoy dizzying
views down to the torrent of water below which plunges
46m (150ft) over the Falls of Measach.
Knockan Crag NNR discover the mysteries locked in
the rocks at this world-famous geology site and gaze in
wonder across one of Europes oldest landscapes.
Further information
You can contact SNH on 01445 760 254. You can also
download a leaflet about the reserve at
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/beinn-eighe/
39
Back to black
Margie Ramsay has been
running a native dark bee
breeding project at Beinn
Eighe for several years.
She is now involved in
the Europe-wide project
SmartBees. Here she
explains what these two
projects aim to do.
40
Unbeknown to most people

we have our very own native
subspecies of dark European
honeybee (Apis mellifera
mellifera) in the British Isles,
and it was this bee that all
beekeepers in Britain kept before
the 19th century.
Indeed it was only in the reign of Queen
Victoria that the first foreign honeybees
were imported into the UK and our
weather-hardy, chocolate-coloured
brown bee began to fall out of fashion.
To compound matters, during the First
World War a bee plague called Isle of
Wight disease, possibly a virus taken
in with imported stocks, was said to
have eradicated our native dark bee
completely.
To quickly refill the empty hives
regular imports of the Carniolan honey
bee (Apis mellifera carnica), the Italian
bee (Apis mellifera ligustica), and other
races became the norm, and soon the
old dark bee was replaced in both our
apiaries and affections with a yellow
one.
Noughts and crosses

Striped yellow bees have become the
accepted stereotype. Crosses between
subspecies now populate the British
Isles with an assortment of varicoloured
hybrids, from yellow Italian bees in
the south to the dusky offspring of
Caucasian and Carniolan parentage
that masquerade as dark bees in the
north.
However, rumours that relict
populations of the native bee still
existed in remote Scottish glens and
islands amazingly proved true when a
few pure colonies were found by the
Scottish Bee Survey carried out by
John and Morna Stoakley in 1992.
www.snh.gov.uk
41
That same year another disease

problem arrived literally on the backs of
the bees being brought in from abroad
Varroa destructor. Varroa arrived with
a range of associated viral diseases,
such as deformed wing virus which was
transmitted into the bees blood when
bitten by the feeding varoa mite. This
double whammy of parasite and virus
has caused world-wide concern for bee
health as the problem spreads with the
international trade in queen bees.
These queen mothers founded

the bee dynasties that bred true on
the isolated mountain of Beinn Eighe,
and now after only a few years theyve
grown to produce a thriving, healthy,
native dark bee population in and
around the gardens, hills and crofts of
Kinlochewe.
He also underlined the special role

of varroa-free bees in research, adding,
They are an extremely important
resource across the world. They will
have low levels of benign deformed
wing virus and allow an exploration of
the honeybee immune system prior
to varroa invasion. Being native dark
bees they also represent the historical
strain of bee that was dominant across
SmartBees
Europe prior to commercialisation of
beekeeping. This makes them doubly
The twofold uniqueness of this
important! We can use samples of bees
population, being both pure dark
from these hives to look at natural
Varroa free
European honeybee and varroa free,
benign virus populations and can take
makes them of special interest to bee
Fortunately, some small niches of the
researchers who are trying to help bees these native bees and use them to
study response to mites and virus.
British Isles are incredibly still varroa
fight varroa and viral disease.
The SmartBees samples were
free, one of which includes Beinn Eighe
Dr Ewan Campbell of Aberdeen
collected
at Beinn Eighe this summer,
National Nature Reserve at Kinlochewe. University, who did the DNA tests
and
already
the first vials containing
There, with the encouragement and
that confirmed the purity of Beinn
larvae,
pupae,
females (called workers)
help of SNH staff Eoghain MacLean
Eighe bees, is closely involved with
and
males
(drones)
have been
and the late Kenny Nelson, there was
the pan-European bee initiative called
harvested
by
student
volunteers and
SmartBees and explained, Its a highly
an opportunity to conserve an oasis
sent
to
the
lab
at
Aberdeen
University.
collaborative project with partners
in which stocks of healthy, native dark
These
native
bees,
which
were
thought
across Europe. We were approached
bees could be protected and reared.
to
have
disappeared,
could
yet
play a
to be part of the initial proposal on
In 2010 the first bee eggs, only a
vital
part
in
preventing
millions
of
other
few millimetres long, were harvested
the back of our success with previous
honeybees
disappearing
throughout
the
from a small, secret apiary of pure dark projects to stop the varroa mite, namely
world
in
the
future.
bees 200 miles from Beinn Eighe.
developing RNAi gene knockdown
Find out more about SmartBees at
Boxes of bee eggs were taped to the
(a method of silencing specific genes
http://www.smartbees-fp7.eu
skin of beekeepers to keep them warm for a short period). Varroa mites are still
on the long journey back to be grafted
relatively unstudied so it made sense to
into foster hives waiting to raise them
apply our expertise to the economically
as their queens.
important and devastating varroa mite.
42
1 and 2
Close-up views of one
of the Beinn Eighe bee
colonies.
3
Margie Ramsay, who
has been running a
native dark bee
breeding project at
Beinn Eighe.
www.snh.gov.uk
43
Whats in a name?
D th ann an ainm?
44
We are delighted to have partnered with

Ainmean-ite na h-Alba (AA) (Gaelic
Place-names of Scotland) to bring you
a new Gaelic in the Landscape booklet.
Place-names of Strath, Isle of Skye
captures some of the lesser known names
of the south Skye parish in print for the very
first time.
Dr Jacob King and Eilidh Scammell from AA, along with
field researchers Ruairidh Graham and Edit Wenelius,
have drawn upon the precious knowledge of native Gaelic
speakers to identify and explain the meaning behind Straths
place-names. Unpublished written material gathered
locally has also helped in uncovering details that aid our
understanding of the areas place-names.
Like vast parts of Scotland, Strath is intimately
connected with the natural landscape, and the lives of the
people who have lived here for centuries, through its wealth
of Gaelic place-names. Coastal, hill and man-made features
have been named to reflect stories, past-times and daily
routines.
Over 120 place-names are explored within the booklet,
which includes map names, grid references, meanings and
a pronunciation guide. The stories surrounding recognisable
features such as Beinn na Caillich, the hill of the old lady,
in the centre of Strath are discussed, along with a number of
small features not recorded on maps.
AA has captured the local knowledge that explains how
Uamh Maolaig, the cave of the little bald one, and Allt na
Gaimhne, the burn of the stirks, came to be; why Sgeir an
Tuairisgeil, the skerry of the peat cutting iron, is said to be
linked to three giants; and what An Leth-Pheighinn, the halfpenny land, relates to.
In understanding the meanings behind place-names,
we have an opportunity to interpret the same landscape
differently. We are given a unique perspective of the link
between the land and the community, and are reminded of
the richness of our countrys culture.
The booklet builds upon the success of Place-names
in Islay and Jura and The Rough Bounds of Lochaber and
complements the Place-names in the North West Highlands
and Place-names in Caithness and Sutherland publications
by Roddy Maclean. Our entire series is available to
download online at http://www.snh.gov.uk/publicationsdata-and-research/
www.snh.gov.uk
45
Tha e na adhbhar toileachais do

Dhualchas Ndair na h-Alba, agus ann
an com-pirteachas le Ainmean-ite na
h-Alba (AA), leabhran r san t-sreath
A Ghidhlig air Aghaidh na Tre a thoirt
thugaibh. Ann an Ainmean-ite an
t-Sratha, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach tha cuid
de dh'ainmean na sgre seo an ceann a
deas an eilein nach cluinnear gu bitheanta
a' nochdadh ann an cl airson a' chiad uair.
Tha an Dr. Jacob King agus Eilidh Sgaimeal aig AA, cuide
ris an luchd-rannsachaidh Ruairidh Greumach agus Edit
Wenelius, air elas luachmhor Gidheil dhthchasach na
sgre a chleachdadh airson ciall ainmean-ite an t-Sratha a
shnrachadh is a mhneachadh. Tha fiosrachadh sgrobhte
nach deach fhoillseachadh a-riamh air cur ris an obair
rannsachaidh a tha gar cuideachadh ann a bhith a' tuigsinn
ainmean-ite na sgre-sa.
Tha an Srath, coltach ri iomadh sgre eile ann an Alba,
ceangailte gu dlth ris an rainneachd agus ri beatha
muinntir an ite fad linntean mra tro bheartas nan ainmeanite Gidhlig. Chaidh ainmean a chur air iteachan an cois
46
a' chladaich, air a' mhonadh agus a rinn mac an duine airson
sgeulachdan, cur-seachadan agus beatha litheil a chur an
cill.
Tha crr is 120 ainm-ite gan rannsachadh anns an
leabhran, anns a bheil ainmean mapa, comharran-clithe,
mneachadh agus stiireadh air fuaimneachadh. Tha
tuairisgeulan air sgeulachdan iteachan ainmeil a leithid
Beinn na Caillich ann am meadhan na sgre na lib cho math
ri iteachan beaga nach eil clraichte air mapaichean.
Tha AA air elas na sgre a tha a' toirt mneachaidh air
na h-ainmean Uamh Maolaig agus Allt na Gaimhne a chur
an cl; an t-adhbhar gu bheilear ag rdh gu bheil Sgeir an
Tuairisgeil co-cheangailte ri tr fuamhairean; agus a' chiall
don ainm An Leth-Pheighinn.
Tha cothrom againn fhn ciall eile a chur air na h-aon
iteachan ma thuigeas sinn na h-ainmean a chaidh cur orra.
Tha cothrom air leth againn an ceangal eadar an tr agus na
daoine fhaicinn agus tha beartas cultar ar dthcha nochdte
an seo da rir.
Tha an leabhran a' togail air an rannsachadh an lib nan
leabhranan soirbheachail Ainmean-ite ann an le agus Dira
agus Garbh-Chrochan Loch Abar agus a' cur ri Ainmeanite ann an Iar-Thuath na Gidhealtachd agus Ainmean-ite
ann an Gallaibh, Cataibh is Dthaich MhicAoidh le Ruairidh
MacIlleathain. Tha an sreath gu lir ri fhaighinn air-loidhne aig
http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/
1
View of Broadford and
Beinn na Caillich.
An t-th Leathann
agus Beinn na Caillich.
2
Bealach Udal near
Kylerhea.
Bealach Udal faisg air
Caol Reithe.
3
Rubha Smuaireag,
promontory of the
small smoke, and
Uamh Mairearad Rois,
Margarat Ross's cave,
Elgol; Isle of Skye.
Rubha Smuaireag
agus Uamh Mairearad
Rois, Ealaghol; An
t-Eilean Sgitheanach.
www.snh.gov.uk
47
SNH Area News

Northern Isles and North Highland
Correspondents: Juan Brown, Adam Rose, Christine Skene
Diamonds
Success at Loch Fleet
Wellies and Waders
Shetlands two National Nature

Reserves (NNRs) celebrate their
Diamond (60th) Anniversaries this year.
They are part of a suite of NNRs across
the country, selected to showcase
outstanding nature.
At the top of the island of Unst,
Hermaness is the most northerly NNR
in Great Britain, while Noss, off the far
side of Bressay, offers an adventurous
day out which starts with an inflatable
boat ride. Both reserves boast
spectacular cliffs supporting great
gannet colonies and other seabirds
breeding in internationally important
numbers.
Over the years, technology has
brought many changes to the life of the
reserves.
Gone are the days of the Noss
warden carrying water to the house
using a milkmaids yoke; now a
solar-powered pump does the work.
Hermaness is also moving with the
times, and visitors now have the luxury
of crossing the bog on a recycled
plastic boardwalk to get to the cliffs.
This will help protect the fragile
peatlands from eroding.
Access to Noss is available only in
spring and summer, but you can visit
Hermaness year round. Both places are
diamonds in Shetlands crown of visitor
attractions.
Harbour seal pupping at Loch Fleet

National Nature Reserve has been very
successful this year, with the first pup
seen at the beginning of June and the
maximum pup count being 51.
Aberdeen Universitys Cromarty
Field Station has had a team on site
regularly monitoring seal populations
for the last ten years. Recent research
involves GPS tagging seals at Loch
Fleet to track their movements and
providing an insight into their behaviour.
Initial results have shown that seals
tend to stay within the area, visiting
commonly known haul-out areas.
However, a few seals have been more
adventurous, visiting locations in
Orkney and the Kyle of Tongue, oneway journeys of up to 120 miles.
Unlike their grey seal counterparts,
harbour seal pups can swim just a few
hours after they are born. At a sealwatching event organised by SNH
and the Cromarty Field Station, nearly
50 participants were lucky enough to
witness a pup, only hours old, taking its
first swimming lessons!
Ospreys also had a successful year
at Loch Fleet NNR, and a second pair
of birds successfully raised two chicks.
This doubles the number of ospreys
nesting on this reserve.
In one of the wettest years on

record for Orkney farmers the annual
agricultural show, the County Show,
was almost cancelled because of the
soggy showground!
However, at the last minute it went
ahead on a miraculously dry day.
SNH staff were at the show to
promote uptake of the new AgriEnvironment Climate Scheme (AECS).
We are a key delivery partner for this
Scottish Government funding scheme.
The Show was an ideal opportunity
to discuss the scheme with landowners
and alert them to the land management
options available to help protect special
habitats and species.
Our displays focussed on AECS
national priorities designated
sites and priority species such as
breeding waders, for which Orkney is
a stronghold in Scotland. Hen harrier
on moorland sites was a key topic, with
the emphasis being on ways to manage
land for their favourite food the
Orkney vole.
But its not just farmers who go to
the show, most of the local community
also turns out to enjoy the event. So
with help from Orkneys World Heritage
Site Rangers, SNH staff had a chance
to talk to many people about Orkneys
amazing natural heritage and to be part
of our largest community event.
48
SNH Area News

Forth
Correspondents: David Steel, Sarah Eaton, Gavin Johnson
Never a dull moment
Seed restoration
dunes restoration
Its never dull on the Isle of May NNR as

the autumn months bring a change of
focus when we welcome our grey seals
back for another pupping season.
The summer months on the island
are dominated by thousands of
seabirds, but as summer gradually
gives way to autumn, thousands of
grey seals start hauling themselves
out in anticipation of another breeding
season.
Atlantic grey seals give birth to
pups from late September, with birth
rates peaking in early November and
late stragglers being born in early
January. The Isle of May supports one
of the largest grey seal colonies on the
east coast of the UK, with the last pup
count revealing just over 2,300 pups
born on the island.
Seal colonies are always lively
places as bulls (males) will engage in
aggressive fights for territory whilst
cows (females) will nurture young pups
until they reach independence (which
happens at just three weeks of age).
The Isle of May certainly experiences
some changes during the seasons and
the autumn is just another example of
how important this National Nature
Reserve is on both a local and national
scale.
Ben Lomond Site of Special Scientific

Interest (SSSI) is set to be a
demonstration site for a European-wide
wild seed conservation project.
The National Trust for Scotland
(NTS) which manages Ben Lomond,
is an associate partner of NASSTEC
(NAtive Seed Science, TEchnology and
Conservation). NASSTEC is bringing
together partners from research,
industry and conservation to improve
knowledge of using wild seed in
montane plant restoration projects.
Four PhD students will investigate all
aspects of seed restoration, including
seed production and viability. Seed
collected from several key Scottish
montane plant species, such as Alpine
mouse-ear and spring sandwort, will
be germinated and planted out by the
students, with help from Scotia Seeds,
a NASSTEC partner which specialises
in wild flower seed production, and
NTS staff.
Lindsay Mackinlay, NTSs Nature
Conservation Adviser said, This project
will teach us a great deal about how
to collect and use montane wild flower
seeds properly and to be more creative
when restoring soils which have been
eroded by footpaths, overgrazing and
hill tracks. We may also be able to
reintroduce species to locations where
they were recorded previously but have
gone extinct.
A partnership of interested parties and

land managers is working to restore
damaged sand dunes at St Andrews
West Sands beach in Fife.
A busy recreational beach, West
Sands was made famous in the 1981
film Chariots of Fire and backs onto
the home of golf, The Old Course.
The beach is also part of Eden Estuary,
nationally and internationally protected
for its habitats, birds and mammals.
However, since the early 2000s the
dunes have deteriorated due to visitor
pressure and erosion caused during
winter storms.
The West Sands Partnership, which
includes Fife Coast and Countryside
Trust, Links Trust, Fife Council, SNH
and University of St Andrews, has
developed a management plan aimed at
improving the health of the dunes.
To date, a 140m-long dune has
been rebuilt using tens of thousands
of tonnes of sand. Nearly 2km of
fencing has been installed to protect an
extensive area of replanted dune grass.
The beach is no longer mechanically
cleaned seaweed is left on the
beach which encourages new dunes
to form. Plant species such as saltwort,
sea rocket and sea sandwort have
come back. This has allowed sand to
accumulate, helping to rebuild a natural
and resilient dune habitat.
www.snh.gov.uk
49
SNH Area News

Argyll and Outer Hebrides
Correspondent: Jane Dodd, Roddy MacMinn
Argylls mermaid purses
Harris pearls
Arctic terns return
We are looking for information about

common skate egg cases in Argyll from
beachcombers, divers and fishermen.
Our hope is that the information
will help solve the mystery of where
common skate lay their eggs. Common
skate are the largest elasmobranch egg
cases you are likely to find in Scotland
and the rarest.
They are about the size of an A5
sheet of paper with short, slightly
curved, horns at the corners.
Divers might spot green, leathery
eggs with the fish still inside in rocky
areas at depths from 10 to 30m.
Beachcombers may find empty egg
cases in the shallow water on the
beach, in which case they will be flat
and black.
However, they are more common
amongst the seaweed in the strandline
where they dry and shrink, crinkling up
and developing a coating of brown,
papery, bark-like material.
Join The Shark Trust Great Eggcase
Hunt at www.eggcase.org to help
you identify any egg cases you find.
Remove any empty skate egg cases
from the beach and email us at skate@
snh.gov.uk with the location and date
you found them and a photo using a
ruler or a 2p for scale.
The freshwater pearl mussel

populations of Scotland are threatened
with extinction if we cannot reverse
the dramatic decline the species has
experienced in modern times.
That these molluscs very
occasionally bear a small white pearl
has probably led to their downfall, with
over-exploitation by pearl-fishers a key
reason for their decline. Because of this
it was made an offence to kill or take
these mussels in 1998.
This year, in partnership with the
Outer Hebrides Fisheries Trust, we
have begun to help reverse the fortunes
of this incredibly long-lived species in
Harris.
In late summer female mussels
release millions of tiny larvae into the
water, where a few are inhaled by
salmon and trout. They then harmlessly
attach to the gills of their unwitting
hosts for almost a year, before they are
large enough to drop off and settle on
the river bed.
By encouraging mussels to spawn
alongside fish in a tank, its hoped that
nature can be given a helping hand.
This experimental approach is a
small part of the Pearls in Peril LIFE
project, which aims to restore habitat
and secure the long-term survival of the
freshwater pearl mussel in Britain.
When the Hebridean Mink Project

was launched in 2001, one of our key
aims was to protect the internationally
important bird species that nest here.
The American mink is an invasive
semi-aquatic carnivore, which, after
being accidently introduced, has
had a devastating effect on our local
environment. Over 250,000 trap nights
and 17,000 captures later, and with
very few mink now thought to be left,
we are now starting to see genuine
signs that the wildlife is recovering.
Working as a trapper can be very
demanding, but it can also be hugely
rewarding at times.
Recently our team were working
in West Loch Tarbert, monitoring a
network of sites around the coastline.
This year they were pleased to see that
Arctic terns have returned to breed on
the small island of Iosaigh, for the first
time in many years.
That they bred successfully on
Iosaigh and other locations this summer
is hugely encouraging and not only
shows the benefits of the project, but
gives hope that in the future these
remarkable birds will continue to
prosper. With many tourists visiting the
Hebrides to experience our fantastic
scenery and wildlife, the local economy
will hopefully also continue to benefit.
50
SNH Area News

Southern Scotland
Correspondents: Denise Exton, Karen Ramoo, Leslie McIvor
Plant hunt in Luce Bay
Save our Reds
Crawick Multiverse
Local SNH staff have just located the

elusive yellow vetch on the Back Bay
to Carghidown SSSI on the west coast
of Luce Bay as part of their monitoring
work.
This species is one of an
outstanding plant community on this
site, which includes interesting species
such as Portland spurge, ivy broomrape
and oysterplant.
With the help of the County
Recorder several yellow vetch plants
were found on the south-facing cliff
slope near St Ninians Cave. These
took some finding because the green
hairy pods, insipid yellow/grey pealike flowers and dainty leaves all
camouflage it perfectly against the
maritime cliff vegetation.
In any given year there is no
certainty in finding it as this delicate
annual can sometimes not appear for
several years, until conditions are right.
Several plants were found, from small
seedlings to mature specimens.
Historical data shows recordings
on the site since 1955. This nationally
scarce native population is important,
as it is at the very northern edge of
its range in Britain, and highlights the
unique climate of the Wigtownshire
coast. It mainly grows in Southern and
Western Europe, extending to Iran,
North Africa and Asia.
The Saving Scotlands Red Squirrels

project (SSRS) is changing direction in
southern Scotland.
Until recently, the emphasis in
the region was to try to prevent the
northward spread of squirrel pox virus.
This was being carried by grey squirrels
towards the uninfected greys of central
Scotland. Now the project is focusing
on protecting red squirrels in a number
of Priority Areas for Red Squirrel
Conservation (PARCs).
Efforts will focus on building on
existing long-term grey squirrel control
around eight PARCs, ranging from 23
to over 1,000 square kilometres in size.
This aims to protect their red squirrels
from disease and from replacement by
greys.
Project staff are working with local
groups, volunteers and landowners
in these areas. The enormous
conservation efforts already being
undertaken by landowners and
volunteers across the region are
testament to what can be achieved.
By empowering local communities
to take a stake in their local wildlife, the
project has every reason to be positive
about the future of the red squirrel in
south Scotland.
If you want to help protect our only
native squirrel, contact Red Squirrel
Project Officer Alexa Seagrave on
01750 23446 or email aseagrave@
scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Crawick Multiverse is a stunning and

thought-provoking landscape art
installation which has just opened to the
public in Dumfriesshire.
This 1million land restoration project
is funded by the Duke of Buccleuch and
designed by the renowned architect
Charles Jencks. A former open-cast
coal mine has been transformed into a
spectacular artland and public amenity.
The ecology of the site, and the
materials found within it, inspired its
design, which is based around space,
astronomy and cosmology.
At approximately 55 acres the site
lies between the towns of Sanquhar and
Kirkconnel. This was formerly an active
coal mining area at the southern end of
the Ayrshire coal field. Coal has declined
and the area is diversifying into other
activity such as tourism. This is given a
major boost with the Crawick Multiverse,
especially as the area is now within
the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire
Biosphere.
The materials on site have been
used to create a striking landscape of
distinctive landforms, and pathways
around the site connect its four
ecologies of grassland, mountains, a
water gorge and a desert, taking you
on a journey past galaxies, universes,
comets and more.
More info at: www.
crawickmultiverse.co.uk
www.snh.gov.uk
51
SNH Area News

South Highland
Correspondents: Stephen Varwell, Emily Richards (Volunteer Archivist), Frances Bell
Stalking lease on Rum
Preserving the past
Seafood? See here
SNH has recently leased out the stag

shooting rights on Rum National Nature
Reserve (NNR) for the next two years.
Following a rigorous tendering
exercise, SNH decided to offer the
lease to Gallanach Lodge from the
Isle of Muck, which will now carry out
the stag cull on behalf of SNH during
2015 and 2016, in line with the NNRs
objectives.
The lease gives the opportunity
for the cull to be carried out on a
commercial basis, with Gallanach
Lodge inviting paying guests to come
and experience the unique stalking
opportunities that Rum has to offer. The
lease also provides socio-economic
benefits to the community of Rum, as it
will provide some seasonal employment
as well as support to local businesses.
The Isle of Rum Community Trust was
represented in the tender assessment
process.
Chris Donald, SNHs Operations
Manager, said This is an exciting
opportunity to explore new ways of
managing SNHs land, whilst also
helping the community.
Toby Fichtner-Irvine, of Gallanach
Lodge, noted We are delighted to have
this opportunity to take on the stag cull
on Rum, which will complement our
existing business interests. We look
forward to working with SNH and the
Rum community in this special place.
Hundreds of documents kept in Kinloch

Castle have now been catalogued by a
volunteer archivist on the Isle of Rum.
When Lady Monica Bullough sold
the island and castle to the Nature
Conservancy Council in 1957, she left
a building packed with original interiors
and furnishings, as well as letters and
photographs. Emily Richards, who
worked on the project, reflected that
Mostly dating from 1900 to 1930, the
archive reveals the fascinating history of
a large hunting estate at the beginning
of the twentieth century.
Letters include correspondence
about deer being delayed en route
to Rum by train, the challenges of
transporting fish eggs at the correct
temperature, difficulties with roadbuilding and the excitement of buying
fridges in the 1920s. Photographs
show exotic travel, dog auctions,
shared jokes among the gardeners, and
family parties.
Built in 1897 by wealthy industrialist
Sir George Bullough, Kinloch Castle
remains an extraordinary time capsule
of Edwardian extravagance and the
archive brings the history of the castle,
its staff and estate to life. It will be used
to tell the many stories of Rum to the
thousands of people who visit each
year to explore the rugged beauty of the
National Nature Reserve and marvel at
Kinloch Castle.
We recently hosted discussions to

explore opportunities to Add value to
the premium and provenance of Food
and Drink to benefit tourism business.
These tied into Scotlands Year of Food
and Drink.
The Moray Firth Partnership is
helping to deliver this concept through
initiatives such as Adding Value to
Produce from the Moray Firth and its
current Seafood See Here! project.
Seafood See Here! aims to help
visitors and locals access and enjoy
local, sustainable seafood and www.
seafoodseehere.com features an
interactive map showing where to buy
seafood, whether from restaurants,
fishmongers, fish vans, smokers or
even mail order. It is encouraging more
entrepreneurial activity to improve
the quality and range of foods and to
shorten the chain from net to plate.
Linking seafood provision to other
activities such as walking, nature
watching, golfing or distillery tours can
help encourage greater tourist spend.
This short project is part-funded
by the Scottish Government and
Highland, Moray and Aberdeenshire
councils European Fisheries Fund Axis
4 Programmes. It covers from Cape
Wrath, along the north coast around the
Moray Firth, and down the east coast to
St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire.
52
SNH Area News

Tayside and Grampian
Correspondents: Ewen Cameron, Sue Warbrick, Fiona Mann
Cinema angle
Dam hard work
Battling balsam
You can imagine how excited we were

to read about one of the film industrys
latest movies Scottish Mussel. This is
a film portraying the struggle to combat
the illegal pearl mussel fishing that
contributes to the decline of Scotlands
fresh water pearl mussels.
Weve not seen the film yet, so we
dont know how true to life it is, but
watch out for it at a cinema near you.
Scotland is home to many of the
most important remaining populations
of freshwater pearl mussel.
But they are still subject to illegal
fishing by criminals, so if you see any
suspicious activity in or near a river
(including the Dee, South Esk and Tay)
that may have pearl mussels, please
contact the police.
Scottish freshwater pearls have
been prized for more than 2,000
years and figure prominently in our
cultural history. We all have a shared
responsibility to ensure our generation
is not responsible for seeing them
disappear forever from our rivers.
You can find out more about these
increasingly rare animals on our website
at www.snh.gov.uk/about-scotlandsnature/species/invertebrates/
freshwater-invertebrates/freshwaterpearl-mussel/
Carrot Hill Meadow SSSI supports

species-rich fen plant communities, a
habitat now scarce in the lowlands of
Angus. The habitat is characteristic of
ground flushed by spring water rising to
the surface, which supports a variety of
orchids, sedges, bog cotton, and globe
flower.
However, over the years the
SSSI has been slowly drying out
and unwanted rushes have been
encroaching on these special plants.
Restoring the fen has been very
much a team effort. Thanks to work
carried out in May by a group of
Bog squad volunteers (funded by
Peatland Action), two of the main
ditches draining water from the site
were dammed. These dams will slow
down water loss from the peatbog,
and restore the naturally high water
levels which support the special plant
communities.
Land manager Mr Nicoll, supported
by an SNH Management Agreement,
has introduced cattle to maintain a
healthier sward which will also improve
conditions for the rarer plants, enabling
them to thrive once again.
Mr Nicoll said I have always
been aware of the large variety of
plants within the SSSI, and I am very
pleased to enter a programme with
SNH to monitor and improve the area.
Find out more at www.snh.gov.uk/
peatlandaction
The battle against non-native Himalayan

balsam in the Lunan valley in Perthshire
continues.
Lochs there are home not only to
well-known species such as otter and
osprey, but also to many water plants,
such as the rare slender naiaid and
spiny-spored squillwort.
Dont be fooled by the beauty of
the invasive balsam which grows in
dense stands 2 metres tall; it shades
out native plants. It dies back in winter,
leaving bare soil which is washed into
lochs and streams, enriching the water.
These extra nutrients encourage dense
algal growth, which affects the whole
web of wildlife in the lochs.
Using contractors to spray the
worst stands made it clear that help
from local people is needed, so we are
getting together with the community
to control this invader. Local residents
will pass on sightings and help pull
plants alongside continued spraying by
contractors for another 23 years.
To find out more about Himalayan
balsam, where to send sightings and
how to control it visit our website at
http://www.snh.gov.uk/protectingscotlands-nature/nonnative-species/
www.snh.gov.uk
53
SNH Area News

Strathclyde and Ayrshire
Correspondents: Fiona Fisher and Gail Foster
Nordic walking
Rhododendron removal
and silver ragwort too!
As part of our Keep Healthy and Happy

campaign we have published a Simple
Pleasures leaflet, which highlights great
places for outdoor activities in South
Ayrshire.
SNH recently teamed up with South
Ayrshire Council for a launch event.
Operations Officer Fiona Fisher, who is
also a trained Nordic walking instructor,
led a Nordic walking taster session in
Belleisle Park.
Fiona said: Nordic walking is an
enhancement of ordinary walking.
It involves walking with specially
designed poles to propel the walker
along, making the muscles work
harder but making it feel easier. Nordic
walking uses approximately 90% of the
muscles in the body and burns 42%
more calories than ordinary walking. It's
fun and effective and can be done by
anybody, anywhere.
Fiona added, One great way to
keep fit is to get outside and enjoy
nature. There are some lovely parks in
Ayrshire, as well as great beaches. You
can easily step out your front door and
be in a park or on the beach in no time.
Not only will it help you get healthy, but
it will make you happier!
To download the Simple Pleasures
leaflet, go to www.bit.ly/1ExN7ke
For more information about Nordic
walking, see www.nordicwalking.
co.uk.
Lang Craigs SSSI is part of the

Woodland Trust Scotlands site of the
same name, located beside Overton
House at Dumbarton.
It is one of the 13 Commonwealth
Woods chosen as part of the Legacy
of the 2014 Commonwealth Games,
and over the next few years more than
200,000 trees of 16 different species
will be planted at the site.
One of the biggest threats to
Lang Craigs are the high levels of
rhododendron, which are one of the
reasons that the SSSI is currently in an
unfavourable condition.
In 2011 Site Management Plans
for each of the owners of the Lang
Craigs SSSI were commissioned by
SNH. Since then the Woodland Trust
Scotland has been working with SNH
and others to try and implement the
necessary management on the Trusts
ground, including a Rhododendron
Eradication Programme, which is to
take place over a 5-year period.
The first year of works was very
successful with little regrowth in the
cleared and treated areas, about 35
acres of the 80 acres present on site.
Work has now started on the second
year of the programme and it is hoped
that this will be as successful.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV)

have been working with us to remove
a species of non-native plant from
Western Gailes Site of Special
Scientific Interest, which is designated
for its sand dune and invertebrate
features.
The target plant is Senecio
cineraria, aka silver ragwort. This
garden escapee was introduced into
Britain by 1633 and was recorded
in the wild by 1893 (Online Atlas
of the British & Irish Flora). It has
characteristic silver downy leaves and
has daisy-like yellow flowers in summer.
Fiona Fisher, Operations Officer
said, This is a hardy drought and
frost-tolerant plant native to the
Mediterranean, making it perfectly
adapted to life on our coastal sand
dunes. Although its not an invasive
species and wont take over the site, it
isnt a natural feature and is therefore
best removed.
Despite the rain, TCV worked
tirelessly to remove multiple full bin
bags and even had the energy left for a
litter pick.
54
Tackling climate change
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are managed for nationally important nature
that everyone can enjoy. Increasingly, however, we recognise that our NNRs
have other important roles to perform. One key function is as demonstration
sites for management; for example, some of our Reserves demonstrate
examples of climate change adaptation.
We have developed eight adaptation principles to
make nature more resilient against climate change.
In the face of an uncertain future, the principles
guide management according to our best available
knowledge. For example, at Loch Leven NNR
efforts have focused on reducing other pressures,
emphasising the need for healthier natural
environments to cope with the added pressures of
climate change.
(CEH), Scottish Water and local farmers to successfully

limit phosphorus discharge, improve planning controls on
housing and associated waste treatment plants, and reduce
soil and nutrient runoff from farm land. Creating buffer strips
of land between Loch Leven and surrounding fields, as well
as silt traps, filter fencing, and interceptor drains all make a
big difference to prevent excess nutrients from spilling into
the loch.
CEH have monitored the loch for 45 years and have
recently recorded an increase in aquatic plants in places
where they had previously disappeared. There is also
some evidence that the loch is becoming more resilient to
Located near Scotlands central belt, pressures from nearby
temperature and weather changes. The abundance of algae
towns, industries and farms in the catchment area affect
in the hot, dry summer of 2013 was relatively low compared
Loch Leven, leading to an overload of nutrients such as
to previous decades.
phosphorus in the water.
Work at Loch Leven shows how important it is to start
These pressures have also made Loch Leven more
adaptation early and to care for the environment to allow
vulnerable to some effects of climate change. Warmer
nature to remain resilient. Having climate change adaptation
summers, wetter winters, and more extreme weather may
principles can guide this work as we move towards bigger
worsen problems caused by pollution, such as algal blooms,
changes in future.
or add to the nutrients in the water by increasing soil erosion
For more information on how NNRs are demonstrating
and causing disturbance of the stored nutrients in the muds
climate change adaptation principles please visit http://
on the loch floor. Climate change intensifies these problems,
www.snh.gov.uk/climate-change/taking-action/
making it even more important to reduce pollution pressures.
adapting-to-change/helpingWe have worked with many partners including Perth &
Kinross Council, SEPA, the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
www.snh.gov.uk
55
Dualchas coitcheann
Common heritage
56
Ruairidh MacIlleathain introduces

us to various terms for stream
and river in the Gaelic landscape
Abhain nan leac faisg

air Camus Fhionnairigh
anns an Eilean
Sgitheanach.
Abhainn nan Leac, river

of slabs near
Camasunary, Isle of
Skye.
Uisge a Sor-ghluasad
Water on the Move
Ann an dthaich a tha cho sor-uisgeach ri Alba, tha uillt is

aibhnichean pailt agus chan eil e na iongnadh gu bheil uiread
de dhfhaclan againn airson a leithid.
S e abhainn as pailte a th againn airson sruth mr.
Thinig am facal seann fhreumh Ind-Erpach agus tha
e dlth-chirdeach do avon ann am P-Ceiltis (leithid na
Cuimris). S iomadh sruth air a bheil Avon mar ainm air
feadh Bhreatainn air sillibh dleab nan Ceilteach. Tha
eisimpleirean air a Ghidhealtachd ann an Abhainn a
Chadh Bhuidhe ann am Fanaich agus Abhainn a Chaiginn
Mhir ann am Muile. Ann am meadhan is taobh sear na
dthcha tha uisge nas cumanta na abhainn me Uisge Sp,
ged a tha uisge cuideachd a seasamh airson sruth beag me
Uisge na Crche faisg air Port-adhair le agus Uisge Toll a
Mhadaidh ann an Achadh an Iasgair (Ros an Iar).
Bha allt bho ths a ciallachadh creag no bearradh.
Tha beachd ann, nuair a thinig na Gidheil irinn gu ruige
Earra-Ghidheal an toiseach, gum faca iad glinn chasa le
bearraidhean, agus uisge an-cmhnaidh ceangailte riutha; s
e sin a thug an t-atharrachadh air ciall an fhacail. Tha alltain
ann cuideachd, mar eisimpleir An t-Alltan Dearg ann an
Dthaich MhicAoidh. Tha leasachaidhean eile ann de dhallt
cuideachd, mar eisimpleir cam-allt (allt lbach) agus leth-allt
(fear le aon bhruthach rd).
Tha feadan a ciallachadh sruth beag a ruitheas
loch monaidh me Am Feadan Molach ann am meadhan
Ledhais. Tha sruth ann cuideachd, me An Sruth Geal
faisg air Calasraid, agus sruthan me Sruthan nan Nathrach
ann an le. Tha caochan a ciallachadh sruth mall, gu math
tric lbach, agus falaichte fo fhraoch is lusan eile. Tha am
facal stidhichte air seann fhreumh a bha a ciallachadh
dall bidh luchd-coiseachd dall do a leithid agus tha e
furasta cas a bhriseadh le bhith a gabhail ceum gun fhiosta
a-steach a chaochan. Tha eisimpleir ann an Caochan an
t-Sneachda anns a Mhonadh Liath. Tha idh a ciallachadh
sruth mall a bhios gu tric a ceangal d loch ri chile. Tha am
facal a tighinn bho fhreumh Lochlannach agus s ann san
iar-thuath as cumanta a nochdas e air mapaichean, me idh
Loch na Gaineimh ann an Dthreabh Chat.
In such a frequently showered and mountainous landscape

as Scotland, burns and streams abound, and the Gaelic
language has a good number of words for moving water.
Here is a brief guide for map users:
Abhainn (AV-een) is the commonest word for river,
being derived from an ancient Indo-European root and
cognate with P-Celtic afon (the various rivers Avon
throughout Britain were named by Celtic-speakers).
Examples are Abhainn a Chadh Bhuidhe river of the
yellow pass in the Fannich Forest and Abhainn a Chaiginn
Mhir river of the large rough mountain pass on Mull.
Uisge (OOSH-kuh), literally water, is also used of rivers
particularly in central and eastern parts, eg Uisge Sp River
Spey; the word can also stand for a smaller stream eg
Uisge na Crche boundary stream in Islay and Uisge Toll
a Mhadaidh burn of the deep corrie of the wolf (or fox) in
Fisherfield.
The default word for a burn is allt (OWLT), the original
meaning of which was cliff. It has been suggested that
Gaels from Ireland, when first migrating to Argyll, met steep
glens containing cliffs with associated watercourses, which
brought about the semantic change. The diminutive form
is alltan (OWLT-an) eg Alltan Dearg red little burn near
Tongue. Other developments of allt are cam-allt (KOWMowlt) winding burn and leth-allt (LEH-owlt) burn with one
steep bank, both of which occur in numerous localities.
Feadan (FET-an) can mean a stream running from a
moorland loch eg Feadan Molach shaggy stream in Lewis.
Another word is sruth (STROO) as in Sruth Geal white
burn near Callander and the diminutive sruthan (STROOhun) eg Sruthan nan Nathrach burn of the adders at Loch
Ballygrant, Islay. Caochan (KOEU-chun), based on an old
root word meaning blind, is a slow winding stream largely
hidden by vegetation (the walker is blind to it); an example
is Caochan an t-Sneachda burn of the snow on the
Monadh Liath. idh (OO-ee) is a slow-flowing stream, often
connecting two lochs, and is most commonly encountered in
the far north-west eg idh Loch na Gaineimh stream of the
sandy loch in central Sutherland.
www.snh.gov.uk
57
Making the most of marine data
58
www.snh.gov.uk
59
The sea around Scotland, at 462,263

Why is the sea important to our
square kilometres, is some six times the
economy, and what are the challenges?
size of our land mass, and is home to a
The sea is also vital because it provides valuable resources
huge variety of internationally and nationally critical to our economic well-being.
important habitats and species. From the
These resources include the long-established fishing
industry;
key ports providing trade links; the hydrocarbon
smallest plankton, the foundation of marine
and aquaculture industries developed during the 20th
ecosystems, to the largest charismatic
century; the use of our clean and scenic coastline for leisure
animals, such as basking sharks and minke and recreation; and the recent development of wind, wave
and tidal renewable energy resources.
whales, Scotlands marine wildlife truly is
All these uses present challenges, and here again
diverse.
Scotland has risen to the task. The Marine (Scotland) Act
The significance of this wonderful natural heritage has
resulted in the designation of 42 marine Special Areas
of Conservation, 58 Special Protection Areas and, most
recently, 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in July 2014.
The draft MPA management measures published in
June 2015 will put in place ways to control human activity,
better safeguard these important areas and manage them
effectively.
60
2010 introduced marine planning which aims to provide a

comprehensive, overarching framework for the management
of all marine activities, as well as providing new powers for
MPA designation. Scotlands first National Marine Plan was
published in March 2015.
Whether it is managing human activities in the MPAs or
implementing broader marine planning, increasing spatial
awareness of current sea users, and possible areas of future
interest and knowledge of the marine resource itself are
fundamental.
1
2
1
Scotlands underwater
rocky reefs support an
amazing variety of
species including the
intriguingly-named
dead man's fingers
a soft coral.
2
The challenge is
accommodating
various competing
demands on our
marine resources.
www.snh.gov.uk
61
3
The rich, planktonladen waters around
Scotland support a
variety of filter-feeding
organisms including
plumose anemones
and brittlestars.
4
Harbour seals feed on
a variety of fish species
in the shallow inshore
waters close to where
they haul out on land.
5
The NMPi allows users
to select the various
information they are
interested in and
display this on a single
map.
62
What is Scotlands Marine Atlas and

NMPi?
Scotlands Marine Atlas: Information for the National Marine
Plan, published in 2011, brought together a huge number
of data sets in a single document for the first time and
presented an assessment of the overall state of Scotlands
seas. To maintain the provision of the most up-to-date data
and information, SNH and Marine Scotland continue to
work with a range of partners in developing the National
Marine Plan interactive (NMPi) - an online portal for spacial
information.
NMPi is available to everyone through an internet
browser. Users can select data layers as diverse as the
location of cold-water coral reefs, bathing beaches or routes
of underwater telephone cables and oil and gas pipelines.
With many hundreds of data layers to choose from, there
is data to suit all interests and you can overlay the various
layers to see how human activity takes place alongside the
range of marine habitats and species.
Development of regional plans is also now beginning.
SNH is expecting to play a role in supporting the marine
planning partnerships that will be established to deliver and
implement these plans. Information at the regional scale
about natural heritage interests as well as the full range of
activities in the area will be needed. NMPi is being readied
to host such regional data too.
The way our valuable seas are being managed is by
being open and transparent about what we know. NMPi
allows anyone to see the natural habitats and species that
require protection while at the same time appreciating the
complexity of the challenge of delivering marine management
www.snh.gov.uk
in the face of increasing and competing demands on our sea

for energy, food and recreation. Richard Lochhead's (Cabinet
Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment) words
in the Foreword for the first national marine plan sum it up
well: The plan will enable sustainable development and use
of our marine area in a way which protects and enhances
the marine environment whilst promoting both existing and
emerging industries.
For more information:

SNH has been working with Marine Scotland, which is
responsible for implementing both national and regional
marine planning, and with the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (SEPA), Joint Nature Conservation
Committee (JNCC) and Marine Alliance for Science and
Technology for Scotland (MASTS) to make the necessary
data and information available.
SNH http://www.snh.gov.uk/
SNH Natural Spaces https://gateway.snh.gov.uk/
natural-spaces/index.jsp
NMPi http://www.gov.scot/nmpi
Article courtesy of Martyn Cox (Marine Scotland) and John
Baxter (Principal Marine Adviser, Scottish Natural Heritage)
63
Keep in touch
We hope you enjoyed this issue of our FREE magazine. We
are moving to ways of letting you keep in touch with our work
that are kinder to our environment, and with this in mind our
subscription list is now closed.
There are a variety of ways to receive news and information
from Scottish Natural Heritage:
Our magazine is available on our website both as a pdf
and an audio version at www.snh.gov.uk
Join the conversation about our natural heritage on
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishNaturalHeritage
Keep up with our news on Twitter @SNH_Tweets
Enjoy our videos at YouTube www.youtube.com/user/
ScotNaturalHeritage1
Follow our Scotlands Nature blog at https://
scotlandsnature.wordpress.com/
Subscribe to our monthly e-news at http://www.snh.
gov.uk/contact-us/online-enquiries-service/
NEWS / FIOS
JANUARY 2015
Follow Scottish Natural
Heritage on social media
using these links
Enjoy the best of Scotlands Natural Larder in

Year of Food and Drink 2015
The Scottish Governments tasty theme for 2015 is food and drink.
The year is an opportunity to celebrate and promote the best of
Scotlands quality produce to our visitors from around the world.
Its also a good time to remind ourselves of the excellent local food
and drink that we have available to us here in Scotland and well be
supporting the year through our Scotlands Natural Larder work.
Scotlands Natural Larder aims to reconnect people with local
and natural produce, and the seasonal use of our natural foods.
Throughout the year we will continue to raise awareness of what is
available locally and seasonally, helping others to make the best of this
resource.
read more >>>
Your walking experiences

wanted
Family strollers, Munro-baggers, dog walkers and
hardy hikers if youve got something to say
about walking, Ramblers Scotland want to hear it.
Complete their online survey by 31 January and
you could win some walking prizes!
read more >>>
Snap an urban deer and

win a prize!
Have you seen a deer visiting your garden recently?
Perhaps you see them occasionally from an office
window or while out for a stroll in your local park.
The next time you spot a deer in an urban setting,
whip out your phone (or even a camera if youve got
one to hand) and you could win a great prize, such
as a days photography tuition or a day counting deer
from a helicopter!
read more >>>
Greenspace makers rewarded

Quality accessible greenspaces on our doorstep are vital
for our physical and mental well-being, and are great places
for learning and local biodiversity. So we were delighted
to see Portlethen Moss Conservation Group recognised
at the recent Nature of Scotland Awards for its design and
creation of a community native woodland in partnership with
Aberdeenshire Council.
read more >>>
64

Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland AutumnWinter2015 - Issue22

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Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland AutumnWinter2015 - Issue22

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www.snh.gov.

Scottish Natural Heritage

Autumn / Winter 2015

The Nature of Scotland

Great Trossachs Forest

Flows to the Future

28 Flowing into the future

Scotlands nature blog

You can contact SNH by

Argyll & Outer Hebrides

A full list of our offices

The Nature of Scotland

Welcome to the Autumn/Winter edition of The Nature of Scotland. This issue

The Nature of Scotland

Kenny Taylor gives some seasonal tips for

And it was all yellow

A perfect little storm

Among the many magnificent tints of

Think of autumn colours, and its likely

Its the smallest seabird in Europe,

Some other things to look for in autumn:

The Nature of Scotland

Far and few and fabulous

of an eagle soaring above the mountains, diving, tumbling or

Hares looking at you,

At first glance, it can look like a strange,

Thanks to its attractive, pyramidal shape

If the winter is snowy, theyll be hard

The Nature of Scotland

The Nature of Scotland

The Great Trossachs Forest

Although this National Nature Reserve

Loch Lomond &

The Nature of Scotland

A legacy for nature

Ambition lies at the very heart of

A vast mosaic of habitats

The new reserve is

a significant home and sanctuary for

Boots, bikes and boats

Trossachs Path along with some of our

The Nature of Scotland

The Nature of Scotland

The Nature of Scotland

I believe eagles are

Happily the SSPCA, with its amazing vet Romain Pizzi,

Return to the wild

Improving bogs in East Ayrshire

The Nature of Scotland

New Rum deer booklet

The Nature of Scotland

trail centre development in Wales, saw

World's first national

Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS).

The mountain biking sector, and

The future is looking good

The Nature of Scotland

There are still areas to develop

Article courtesy of Graeme MacLean,

Flowing into the future

The Nature of Scotland

The Flow Country is a vast,

roadside interpretation sites across