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Scottish Natural Heritage Summer 2010<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Gentle giants<br />
Discover where<br />
basking sharks like to<br />
spend their summers<br />
<strong>Nature</strong> for all<br />
Introducing our wildlife<br />
and landscapes to new<br />
audiences<br />
Paddle up<br />
Canoe through the<br />
Great Glen in 2012
Contents<br />
Features<br />
8 <strong>The</strong> great big paddle<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s first canoe<br />
trail takes shape<br />
8<br />
38<br />
10 Celebrating 100,000 awards<br />
Awards scheme reaches<br />
100,000 milestone<br />
19<br />
41<br />
14 Simple and easy campaign<br />
New campaign promotes<br />
nature close to home<br />
22 Fun in the sun<br />
Celebrating the variety <strong>of</strong> life<br />
21<br />
23<br />
53<br />
Regulars<br />
2 Where we are<br />
SNH contact details<br />
3 Welcome<br />
26 Public speaking<br />
What the public think<br />
about estates<br />
28 Welcome to <strong>Scotland</strong>’s nature<br />
Revealing the environment<br />
to ethnic groups<br />
34 We two are one<br />
SNH and DCS join forces<br />
4 Wild calendar<br />
Where to go and what to see<br />
this summer<br />
50 <strong>Scotland</strong>’s sea monster<br />
New research identifies<br />
basking shark ‘hotspots’<br />
16 News<br />
20 Common heritage<br />
Linking language and environment<br />
36 Reserve focus<br />
Discover Insh Marshes NNR<br />
56 Green prescriptions<br />
Get outdoors if you want<br />
to feel better<br />
60 Sound judgement<br />
Testing the water for marine<br />
renewables and wildlife<br />
42 Area news<br />
Reports from around the country<br />
46 Events diary<br />
Guide to what’s on<br />
49 Inspired by nature<br />
Show and tell<br />
– what’s inspired you?<br />
58 Kids only!<br />
Activities for younger readers<br />
64 Mailing list<br />
Join our mailing list<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 1
Credits<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Magazine <strong>of</strong> Scottish Natural Heritage<br />
Issue Number 8 — Summer 2010<br />
Published quarterly<br />
© SNH 2010<br />
ISSN 1350 309X<br />
Editor: John Walters<br />
Tel. 01463 725 222<br />
Cover photo: Red, green and brown seaweeds in shallow water <strong>of</strong>f the<br />
coast <strong>of</strong> Coll. Photographer: Sue Scott<br />
Inside cover: Sugar kelp Saccharina latissima in sheltered conditions <strong>of</strong>f<br />
the west coast. Photographer: Paul Kay<br />
Welcome page: Highland darter dragonfly. Photographer: Lorne Gill/SNH<br />
Photography – all images by Lorne Gill/SNH other than: Mark Hamblin 6;<br />
FLPA 7t; Sam Baumber/Rory Syme/JMT 11; Miranda Morgan/JMT 12;<br />
David Pyper/George Watson’s College 13t; Stephen Bly 13b;<br />
Laurie Campbell 16; www.toothandclaw.org.uk 19; Andrea Cringean/SNH<br />
22; Lloyd Smith 25t; Dougie Barnett 28, 29, 30; www.angusbremner.com<br />
31, 32, 33; Neil McIntyre 34; Alan Ross 40t; Ewen Cameron 42m, 42r;<br />
Juan Brown 44l; Shetland Amenity Trust 44m; Tim Dean 44r; David Bell 45l;<br />
<strong>Nature</strong>pl.com 50, 53, 54; Pr<strong>of</strong> Callum Roberts 52; Kat Jones 61;<br />
Paul Kay 62.<br />
Map 37: © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2010. Based on<br />
Ordnance Survey mapping. © Crown copyright and database right 2010.<br />
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number SNH 100017908.<br />
We’ve set up the following ‘Flickr’ page www.flickr.com/snh-iyb2010 with<br />
a selection <strong>of</strong> SNH images to celebrate the International Year <strong>of</strong><br />
Biodiversity. You can download the images to use as screensavers or to<br />
share with friends.<br />
To share your views about <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> or suggest articles for<br />
future issues please contact the editor:<br />
SNH Magazine<br />
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road,<br />
Inverness IV3 8NW<br />
Email: editor@snh.gov.uk<br />
<strong>The</strong> views expressed in this magazine do not<br />
necessarily reflect those <strong>of</strong> SNH.<br />
Printed by: J Thomson Colour Printers<br />
JTCP35K0610<br />
When you have finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Pass it to<br />
another reader or dispose <strong>of</strong> it at your local waste-collection point.<br />
Where we are…<br />
You can contact SNH by<br />
letter, telephone or email.<br />
<strong>The</strong> following details<br />
should enable you to find<br />
your nearest main <strong>of</strong>fice,<br />
but bear in mind that we<br />
also have a number <strong>of</strong><br />
smaller <strong>of</strong>fices than those<br />
listed.<br />
A full list <strong>of</strong> our <strong>of</strong>fices<br />
appears on the SNH<br />
website: www.snh.gov.uk<br />
Corporate<br />
headquarters<br />
Great Glen House,<br />
Leachkin Road,<br />
Inverness IV3 8NW<br />
Tel. 01463 725 000<br />
Email: enquiries@snh.gov.uk<br />
Other main <strong>of</strong>fices<br />
Battleby, Redgorton,<br />
Perth PH1 3EW<br />
Tel. 01738 444 177<br />
Silvan House,<br />
3rd Floor East,<br />
231 Corstorphine Road,<br />
Edinburgh EH12 7AT<br />
Tel. 0131 316 2600<br />
Caspian House,<br />
Mariner Court,<br />
Clydebank Business Park,<br />
Clydebank G81 2NR<br />
Tel. 0141 951 4488<br />
Area <strong>of</strong>fices<br />
Argyll and Stirling<br />
<strong>The</strong> Beta Centre,<br />
Innovation Park,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Stirling,<br />
Stirling FK9 4NF<br />
Tel. 01786 450 362<br />
Dumfries and Galloway<br />
Carmont House,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Crichton,<br />
Bankend Road,<br />
Dumfries DG1 4ZF<br />
Tel. 01387 247 010<br />
Northern Isles<br />
Ground Floor,<br />
Stewart Building,<br />
Alexandra Wharf,<br />
Lerwick,<br />
Shetland ZE1 0LL<br />
Tel. 01595 693 345<br />
East Highland<br />
Fodderty Way,<br />
Dingwall Business Park,<br />
Dingwall IV15 9XB<br />
Tel. 01349 865 333<br />
North Highland<br />
<strong>The</strong> Links,<br />
Golspie Business Park,<br />
Golspie,<br />
Sutherland KW10 6UB<br />
Tel. 01408 634 063<br />
West Highland<br />
<strong>The</strong> Governor’s House,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Parade, Fort William,<br />
Inverness-shire PH33 6BA<br />
Tel. 01397 704 716<br />
Strathclyde and Ayrshire<br />
Caspian House,<br />
Mariner Court,<br />
Clydebank Business Park,<br />
Clydebank G81 2NR<br />
Tel. 0141 951 4488<br />
Tayside and<br />
Clackmannanshire<br />
Battleby, Redgorton,<br />
Perth PH1 3EW<br />
Tel. 01738 444 177<br />
Western Isles<br />
32 Francis Street,<br />
Stornoway,<br />
Isle <strong>of</strong> Lewis HS1 2ND<br />
Tel. 01851 705 258<br />
Forth and Borders<br />
Silvan House,<br />
3rd Floor East,<br />
231 Corstorphine Road,<br />
Edinburgh EH12 7AT<br />
Tel. 0131 316 2600<br />
Grampian<br />
Inverdee House,<br />
Baxter Street,<br />
Torry,<br />
Aberdeen AB11 9QA<br />
Tel. 01224 266 500<br />
2 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Welcome<br />
Simon Pepper<br />
Board Member<br />
Scottish Natural Heritage<br />
Welcome to this summer issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>. After one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hardest winters on record, there’s the hope <strong>of</strong> a glorious summer ahead –<br />
enough to gladden the heart <strong>of</strong> anyone heading for the great outdoors. And<br />
what a country we have to attract us outdoors! Few places in Europe can match<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> for the variety and wild quality <strong>of</strong> our landscapes – our mountains<br />
and coasts, woodlands and forests, islands, lochs and rivers. <strong>Scotland</strong>’s towns<br />
and cities also have plenty <strong>of</strong> natural areas nearby which are open to the public<br />
and where wildlife is abundant. In this issue you’ll find articles celebrating the<br />
wonderful opportunities that <strong>Scotland</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers to get out and enjoy these places.<br />
If you’ve ever been inspired by an experience <strong>of</strong> nature, you won’t be surprised<br />
to read about research that shows these experiences are good for our mental, as<br />
well as physical, health and well-being. And it will come as little surprise either to<br />
find that exploring our relationship with the Earth – as promoted by the John Muir<br />
Trust – is good for our growth as individuals.<br />
<strong>The</strong> natural environment is, <strong>of</strong> course, the foundation for much <strong>of</strong> our economy,<br />
especially in rural areas. Providing for visits to the countryside and coast for all<br />
kinds <strong>of</strong> nature-based activities is a valuable part <strong>of</strong> the rural economy. Those who<br />
own the land have an important role here and they’re keen to play their part in<br />
raising awareness and understanding among the general public.<br />
Climate change is an ever-present issue these days, influencing all kinds <strong>of</strong><br />
thinking about the future management <strong>of</strong> our natural environment. It underlines the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> the pioneering work to harvest <strong>Scotland</strong>’s outstanding resources<br />
<strong>of</strong> clean renewable energy at sea. Wave, tide and wind energy could well allow<br />
us to replace the climate-damaging combustion <strong>of</strong> coal, oil and gas, the so-called<br />
‘fossil’ fuels. You can read about the research that’s under way to ensure that we<br />
benefit from these new energy resources without harming our marine wildlife.<br />
This year SNH takes over responsibility for <strong>Scotland</strong>’s wild deer. <strong>The</strong>se iconic<br />
animals are a valuable and much-loved part <strong>of</strong> our natural heritage. However,<br />
they can damage crops and wildlife habitats when their numbers get out <strong>of</strong> hand.<br />
Getting the balance right is a matter <strong>of</strong> careful judgement.<br />
You’ll find all <strong>of</strong> these topics discussed in this issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
I hope you enjoy reading the articles and that at least one <strong>of</strong> them inspires you to<br />
get out and enjoy <strong>Scotland</strong>’s wonderful natural environment.
Summer<br />
Wild<br />
calendar<br />
Kenny Taylor gives<br />
some seasonal<br />
tips for savouring<br />
Scottish wildlife and<br />
landscapes<br />
Take a long summer day. Add a pinch <strong>of</strong> wildlife.<br />
It could be the call <strong>of</strong> a lone falcon over a moor<br />
where nothing else moves. It might be 10,000<br />
daisies, studded like stars on the turf <strong>of</strong> a field.<br />
Stir in some water, whether that’s the river, sea,<br />
cascade or a sunny shower. Now blend in a<br />
Scottish backdrop to your taste. Drink deep <strong>of</strong><br />
this glorious season.<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Purple milk vetch was<br />
so-named from a belief<br />
that it could boost milk<br />
production in cattle<br />
that ate it.<br />
2<br />
<strong>The</strong> six-spot burnet is a<br />
day-flying moth that<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten lives near the<br />
coast. Its colours warn<br />
predators that it’s<br />
poisonous.<br />
<strong>The</strong> big B at St C<br />
Sea, sand, flowers, brightly coloured butterflies and other<br />
insects make a potent summer combination. At St Cyrus<br />
National <strong>Nature</strong> Reserve, near Montrose, you can see all<br />
these things by the beach-, cliff- and grassland-load.<br />
Part <strong>of</strong> its wildlife power comes from the sheer number <strong>of</strong><br />
plants here (about 350 higher plant species, and counting).<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> these have names to quicken the pulse <strong>of</strong> those<br />
with a liking for fine flowers. Meadow saxifrage, purple milk<br />
vetch and bloody cranesbill are part <strong>of</strong> this exciting bunch.<br />
Part comes from the variety <strong>of</strong> insects here, including all<br />
five Scottish-dwelling species <strong>of</strong> grasshopper and cricket,<br />
more than a dozen different butterflies and more than 200<br />
species <strong>of</strong> moth. Perhaps the most striking <strong>of</strong> these moths is<br />
the day-flying six-spot burnet, resplendent in shiny black and<br />
scarlet.<br />
So, in this International Year <strong>of</strong> Biodiversity, St Cyrus is a<br />
great Scottish example <strong>of</strong> variety <strong>of</strong> life in a much-cherished<br />
place. Give it a visit to discover what the ‘B’ word really<br />
means.<br />
Web tips:<br />
www.nnr-scotland.org and click ‘Find an NNR’<br />
www.snh.gov.uk/pdfs/education/burnetmoth.pdf<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
www.snh.gov.uk 5<br />
2
A bunny runs through it<br />
Mammal watching is usually a challenge, but summer gives<br />
opportunities to see a wider range <strong>of</strong> species than during<br />
other seasons. On the west coast and around the Hebrides<br />
and Northern Isles, these could include dolphins, porpoises,<br />
seals or otters at any time <strong>of</strong> day. Inland on the Scottish<br />
mainland, early morning and evening can be the best times<br />
for mammal viewing.<br />
Try sitting at dusk by the edge <strong>of</strong> broadleaved woods to<br />
catch sight <strong>of</strong> pipistrelles or other bats. Rabbit warrens are<br />
also fun to watch when the younger bunnies are on the hop.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y may be common, but you need patience to observe<br />
rabbits at close range.<br />
For good ranger-led badger viewing, go to the Scottish<br />
Wildlife Trust’s Falls <strong>of</strong> Clyde reserve, near New Lanark.<br />
Here, you can look at Glasgow’s home river in a different<br />
light, as it tumbles through steep and wooded gorges<br />
and over large waterfalls, then arrange to see some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
woodland’s most distinctively hairy inhabitants.<br />
3<br />
Originally native to<br />
Spain and Portugal,<br />
then kept in guarded<br />
warrens, rabbits have<br />
only become common<br />
across <strong>Scotland</strong> in the<br />
last two centuries.<br />
4<br />
<strong>The</strong> pied flycatcher is<br />
scarce in <strong>Scotland</strong>, so<br />
hearing one in a<br />
summer oakwood is<br />
always an enjoyable<br />
surprise.<br />
5<br />
Every part <strong>of</strong> the Isle <strong>of</strong><br />
Eigg’s coast is<br />
interesting. But the<br />
Singing Sands, where<br />
dry grains can squeak<br />
underfoot, is both<br />
beautiful and<br />
remarkable.<br />
Web tip:<br />
www.swt.org.uk/visit/reserves and click ‘Visit’ then<br />
‘Reserves’<br />
3<br />
6 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Catch a flying pie<br />
If you’re fine tuning an ear for birdsong, early summer in a Scottish oakwood<br />
can be a great time to practise. That’s because some <strong>of</strong> the louder, resident<br />
songsters, such as chaffinch, are joined by more subtle-voiced, migrant singers.<br />
Pied flycatcher and redstart are two such migrants. Give them a listen online<br />
to get an idea <strong>of</strong> their phrasing. Oakwoods where you might hear them include<br />
some <strong>of</strong> those in Argyll, Lochaber and flanking Loch Lomond. Visit the woods and<br />
wetlands <strong>of</strong> the River Dee, in Dumfries and Galloway, and you could also combine<br />
song appreciation with views <strong>of</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s expanding red kite population.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Galloway Kite Trail is a circular route that runs near the Dee from north<br />
<strong>of</strong> Castle Douglas to New Galloway and back. <strong>The</strong>re’s a feeding station at<br />
Laurieston that can be popular with the bird once known as the ‘gled’ in Scots<br />
dialect. But there’s also a chance <strong>of</strong> seeing some <strong>of</strong> these elegant scavengers<br />
along other parts <strong>of</strong> the valley.<br />
Web tip:<br />
Online birdsong clips: www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide<br />
Galloway Kite Trail: www.gallowaykitetrail.com<br />
4<br />
Say it again, sand<br />
Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna: that’s a world-class quartet<br />
<strong>of</strong> names for anyone with a liking for characterful islands.<br />
Each could reward a summer visit, with Eigg an excellent<br />
introduction to the group.<br />
One thing I relish about Eigg is how its community<br />
has thrived since the island was bought by a partnership<br />
between local people, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the<br />
Highland Council in 1997. It’s also a place where, almost<br />
literally, the landscape can speak to you.<br />
Take a short walk from Cleadale, in the heart <strong>of</strong> the<br />
community, to a coast where ancient rock features are to<br />
the fore. At Laig Bay, you could stand on beautiful Jurassic<br />
sandstones from the times <strong>of</strong> the dinosaurs and look out to<br />
see an otter searching the inshore kelp beds for crabs.<br />
But it’s the ‘Singing Sands’ here that can steal the<br />
show. Catch them in dry conditions, and the quartzite grains<br />
will squeak underfoot: weird but pleasing music from the<br />
remains <strong>of</strong> mountains long vanished.<br />
Web tip:<br />
www.isle<strong>of</strong>eigg.net and click ‘<strong>Nature</strong> on Eigg’<br />
5<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 7
<strong>The</strong> great big paddle<br />
1<br />
Work has begun on creating <strong>Scotland</strong>’s first formal<br />
canoe trail, which will stretch along the Great Glen<br />
between Fort William and Inverness<br />
8<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
1<br />
<strong>The</strong> waters <strong>of</strong><br />
world-famous Loch<br />
Ness will be a big draw<br />
for paddlers.<br />
2<br />
Project <strong>of</strong>ficer for the<br />
Great Glen Canoe Trail<br />
is Donald Macpherson.<br />
2<br />
One <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s most popular<br />
tourist locations is set to play<br />
host to the country’s first <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
canoe trail.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new Great Glen Canoe Trail will<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer international and national paddlers<br />
the opportunity to journey from coast<br />
to coast across the country. <strong>The</strong>y’ll<br />
be able to travel the 100 km stretch<br />
between Fort William and Inverness,<br />
passing through the historic Caledonian<br />
Canal and four lochs, including the<br />
challenging waters <strong>of</strong> world-famous<br />
Loch Ness.<br />
Project <strong>of</strong>ficer for the new trail<br />
is Donald Macpherson, who will be<br />
overseeing the development through to<br />
its opening in spring 2012. “It’s great to<br />
be playing a role in the delivery <strong>of</strong> such<br />
a fantastic project,” commented Donald.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> trail is well placed to attract a<br />
whole range <strong>of</strong> outdoor enthusiasts<br />
from both a paddling and non-paddling<br />
background, because it’s such an<br />
iconic location with spectacular scenery<br />
and wildlife.<br />
“And one <strong>of</strong> the big advantages <strong>of</strong><br />
the Great Glen is that there are various<br />
locations where you can launch or<br />
finish, unlike other paddling locations<br />
where the only way out is to complete<br />
the distance. Not everyone will come<br />
here to paddle the full distance, which<br />
will take four or five days to complete.<br />
Some may opt for just a one or two day<br />
route instead.”<br />
Over £600,000 is being invested in<br />
the Great Glen Canoe Trail, which aims<br />
to take advantage <strong>of</strong> the increasing<br />
paddler market that’s estimated to be<br />
growing by a staggering 25% each<br />
year. Funding has come from the<br />
European Regional Development Fund,<br />
British Waterways <strong>Scotland</strong>, Highland<br />
Council, Forestry Commission <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
and Scottish Natural Heritage.<br />
Low-level pontoons are being<br />
installed at locks and bridges to<br />
improve access on and <strong>of</strong>f the water.<br />
And there will be ‘trailblazer rests’,<br />
consisting <strong>of</strong> specially identified<br />
informal campsite areas and secure<br />
long-stay car parking areas at each end<br />
<strong>of</strong> the glen.<br />
Full details on safety, travel<br />
arrangements, accommodation and the<br />
facilities along the waymarked route<br />
will be available on the forthcoming<br />
Great Glen Canoe Trail website, and<br />
in the proposed trail guide leaflet and<br />
guide book. <strong>The</strong>se aim to ensure that<br />
paddlers get as much satisfaction from<br />
their trip as possible.<br />
Added to that, an orientation panel<br />
outlining trail directions and safety<br />
advice will be located at the access/exit<br />
points. <strong>The</strong>se panels will complement<br />
the existing ‘Great Glen Ways’<br />
interpretation signage, which promotes<br />
the three sustainable ways to visit the<br />
area – by boat, by boot or by bike – and<br />
features information about local culture,<br />
heritage and wildlife.<br />
Some groups who have canoeing<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> open water will prefer to<br />
plan their own expedition. But others<br />
may prefer a guided trip with a local<br />
outdoor activity provider, who can take<br />
care <strong>of</strong> all the travel arrangements,<br />
equipment, food and drink, as well as<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering local camping knowledge and<br />
safety resources.<br />
“Whether you conquer the trail<br />
independently or with a local outdoor<br />
activity provider, the Great Glen Canoe<br />
Trail will be both an adventure and an<br />
education into the joys <strong>of</strong> the great<br />
outdoors,” Donald continued.<br />
“And although the Caledonian Canal<br />
is mainly paddled in open Canadian<br />
canoes, there are growing numbers <strong>of</strong><br />
paddlers also taking to the waterway in<br />
sea kayaks, which cut through the water<br />
and travel faster. But whatever canoe<br />
or kayak you choose, and whatever<br />
your skill level, the new Great Glen<br />
Canoe Trail is set to be an unbeatable<br />
experience.”<br />
If you’re interested in finding out<br />
more, you can contact the project<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficer on 01463 725 563 or email<br />
donald.macpherson@britishwaterways.<br />
co.uk<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 9
Celebrating<br />
100,000 awards<br />
<strong>The</strong>re have been repeated warnings recently about<br />
people becoming detached from nature. But a<br />
successful awards scheme run by the John Muir<br />
Trust points to hope for the future<br />
1<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the scenes<br />
and people from the<br />
special event held<br />
to mark 100,000<br />
John Muir Awards.<br />
<strong>The</strong> John Muir Trust, the UK’s leading wild land<br />
charity, reached a pretty special milestone recently<br />
when it presented the 100,000th award under its<br />
environmental award scheme.<br />
To mark the occasion, a special event was held at the Royal<br />
Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, with representatives <strong>of</strong> the first,<br />
10,000th, 20,000th, 50,000th and 100,000th John Muir<br />
Awards attending.<br />
<strong>The</strong> success <strong>of</strong> this flourishing environmental award<br />
scheme has seen it quickly grow from its Scottish origins<br />
to become widely established across the UK. <strong>The</strong> award<br />
is focused on wild places, encouraging awareness and<br />
responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit <strong>of</strong> fun,<br />
adventure and exploration.<br />
Following the example <strong>of</strong> Scottish conservation hero John<br />
Muir, tens <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> participants have now enjoyed<br />
their own adventures in wild places, and taken responsibility<br />
for looking after the environment.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> award is open to all,” explained Rob Bushby,<br />
manager for the John Muir Award. “It was set up to<br />
encourage people <strong>of</strong> all ages and backgrounds to connect,<br />
enjoy and care for wild places.<br />
“It’s not competitive but it is meant to challenge<br />
10<br />
those who take part. <strong>The</strong>y have to show enthusiasm and<br />
commitment for discovering a wild place, actively exploring<br />
it, doing something to conserve it and sharing their<br />
experiences.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> recipient <strong>of</strong> the 100,000th award was 13-year-old<br />
Cumbrian school pupil Jake Atkinson, and the activities he<br />
undertook to achieve the first two levels <strong>of</strong> the award show<br />
the sort <strong>of</strong> commitment that can be involved.<br />
Jake was part <strong>of</strong> a group from Ullswater Community<br />
College, Penrith, who completed a wildlife garden project.<br />
It involved hedge laying, dry stone walling, tree planting<br />
and pond construction, as well as creating water features,<br />
sculptures and homes for wildlife.<br />
He and his friends also volunteered for a variety <strong>of</strong><br />
outdoor activities in the Lake District National Park, working<br />
with the Field Study Council and the Forestry Commission.<br />
And over the past couple <strong>of</strong> years Jake has been helping a<br />
range <strong>of</strong> students with ASDs (autistic spectrum disorders)<br />
towards their own John Muir Awards.<br />
“What I enjoyed most was helping some <strong>of</strong> the younger<br />
pupils to achieve the tasks they were given in the garden,”<br />
said Jake. “I also liked working with my friends in the ecogarden<br />
and learning new skills to take home and use on the<br />
farm. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know new people, but<br />
most <strong>of</strong> all having fun!”<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
www.snh.gov.uk 11<br />
1
Journey <strong>of</strong> discovery<br />
<strong>The</strong> John Muir Trust set up the award in 1997 to get more<br />
people active in the conservation movement. It operates<br />
largely through a varied range <strong>of</strong> organisations, including<br />
schools and outdoor centres, as well as youth and<br />
community groups – over 700 made use <strong>of</strong> it last year. But<br />
many individuals, families and small independent groups also<br />
take part.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y’re invited to follow in the footsteps <strong>of</strong> John Muir<br />
(1838–1914), with his life-long journey <strong>of</strong> discovery and<br />
exploration to help conserve the special qualities <strong>of</strong> wild<br />
places. Muir was born in Dunbar, East Lothian, and went on<br />
to become the founder <strong>of</strong> the US national parks. He is widely<br />
regarded as the father <strong>of</strong> modern conservation. Throughout<br />
his life, Muir shared his experiences, feelings and vision for<br />
wild places with a wider audience, so the award participants<br />
are encouraged to do likewise.<br />
John Hutchison is chairman <strong>of</strong> the John Muir Trust and<br />
believes the award is great at character forming for young<br />
people. “<strong>The</strong> experience it provides is very important for the<br />
self-discovery that leads to self-confidence.<br />
“100,000 awards is a huge milestone to celebrate in<br />
such a short time. <strong>The</strong> John Muir Award is firmly part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
core work <strong>of</strong> the trust’s new vision for wild land. I believe<br />
that, through the award, we’re finding and nurturing the next<br />
generation <strong>of</strong> environmental community activists.”<br />
“<strong>The</strong> John Muir Award<br />
puts a different slant<br />
on everything. It<br />
brings out the wonder<br />
and beauty <strong>of</strong> being in<br />
nature. It’s a beautiful<br />
way <strong>of</strong> working with<br />
kids and encourages<br />
them to look at the<br />
bigger picture.”<br />
Sarah Robertshaw,<br />
Forestry Commission<br />
project leader<br />
2<br />
2<br />
Recipient <strong>of</strong> the<br />
100,000th award was<br />
Jake Atkinson (far left).<br />
12 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Bridges Project<br />
HM Prison Craiginches<br />
Aberdeen<br />
Autumn 2009<br />
Rangers from Aberdeen City Council<br />
delivered a John Muir Award for<br />
prisoners from Craiginches Prison. It was<br />
proposed as a ‘bridging’ project between<br />
participants’ lives within the prison and life<br />
in their home communities upon release.<br />
George Watson’s College<br />
Edinburgh<br />
Annual involvement<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s a 30-year tradition <strong>of</strong> outdoor<br />
residential experiences for pupils in their<br />
third year at George Watson’s College.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir adventures take place in all corners<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>, with a dozen different trips<br />
taking students from Knoydart and Skye to<br />
Dumfriesshire and Harris.<br />
Since 2003, the third year projects<br />
programme has included the John Muir<br />
Award. It aims to reflect and develop the<br />
longstanding care for the environment<br />
that’s been an important aspect <strong>of</strong> these<br />
trips, and to heighten appreciation <strong>of</strong> these<br />
special locations.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y used bushcraft and survival<br />
techniques to improve teamwork and<br />
communication skills. Map work and<br />
research allowed them to learn more<br />
about their local wild places, while also<br />
contributing to local communities by<br />
building planters for primary schools.<br />
“A lot <strong>of</strong> the guys have nothing to get out<br />
for. With this we have something to get out<br />
for… something to look forward to.” Award<br />
participant<br />
“Even though we have our differences <strong>of</strong><br />
opinion, we’ve bonded over the John Muir<br />
Award.” Award participant<br />
“<strong>The</strong> John Muir Award made me think<br />
carefully about the world around me and<br />
how precious these wild places are.” Pupil<br />
“Now I’ve experienced such a wild area,<br />
I can see the beauty and importance <strong>of</strong><br />
maintaining these places throughout the<br />
world.” Pupil<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 13
1<br />
14<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
1<br />
Poster advertising the<br />
new campaign.<br />
Simple and<br />
easy campaign<br />
www.snh.gov.uk<br />
A new campaign launches<br />
in July aimed at encouraging<br />
all <strong>of</strong> us to make better use<br />
<strong>of</strong> the outdoors and nature<br />
close to home.<br />
<strong>The</strong> campaign has the strapline ‘Simple<br />
pleasures, easily found’ and celebrates<br />
the simple pleasures <strong>of</strong>fered by our<br />
natural environment. <strong>The</strong> focus is on<br />
highlighting what can be achieved from<br />
our own doorsteps in terms <strong>of</strong> local<br />
walks, parks and green spaces.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> campaign promotes simple<br />
outdoor activities that can be enjoyed<br />
anywhere in <strong>Scotland</strong>,” explained<br />
Eleanor MacDonald, SNH campaign<br />
manager. “<strong>The</strong> simple pleasures include<br />
activities like skimming stones, looking<br />
for a four-leafed clover or watching a<br />
sunset, so they’re all fun and do-able<br />
things.<br />
“We also want to reduce the time<br />
needed to plan an outing by providing<br />
useful information about routes close<br />
to where people live. <strong>The</strong> information<br />
will also tell them how long each route<br />
is likely to take, making it easier to fit<br />
outdoor enjoyment into busy everyday<br />
lives.”<br />
This will be a national campaign,<br />
but the focus will be largely urban.<br />
Research shows that many people<br />
living in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and<br />
particularly Glasgow visit the outdoors<br />
less than once a week. <strong>The</strong> aim is to<br />
inspire them to make more time for<br />
outdoor enjoyment instead <strong>of</strong> other<br />
leisure activities.<br />
National posters, newspaper adverts<br />
and leaflets will all form part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
campaign. <strong>The</strong>se will provide top tips<br />
and ideas for things to do, as well as<br />
directing the public to an online source<br />
with information specific to their local<br />
area. In Glasgow, for instance, the<br />
information will include routes along the<br />
Kelvin Walkway, Glasgow Green and<br />
the River Clyde, as well as the Forth<br />
and Clyde Canal.<br />
<strong>The</strong> approach taken for some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
communications will be to show people<br />
having fun in all weathers, rather than<br />
the usual tendency to present images<br />
<strong>of</strong> hot, sunny days. It’s hoped this may<br />
help influence people to change their<br />
behaviour at those times <strong>of</strong> the year<br />
when spending time outside is less<br />
attractive.<br />
This campaign supports SNH’s<br />
‘Enjoying the Outdoors’ policy, which<br />
aims to persuade more people to take<br />
part in outdoor visits, and encourage<br />
everyone to get outside more <strong>of</strong>ten.<br />
This approach recognises how<br />
important enjoying the outdoors is for<br />
people’s quality <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
<strong>The</strong> campaign will include a toolkit<br />
<strong>of</strong> top tips for how to get active<br />
outdoors. Partners such as ranger<br />
services, community groups, walk<br />
leaders or clubs and associations will<br />
be able to use the visual identity <strong>of</strong> the<br />
campaign by downloading materials<br />
from the internet, which they can then<br />
change to suit their own circumstances.<br />
Any partner will have access to<br />
this, and it will be useable for any<br />
location. It will include poster templates,<br />
leaflet templates and news releases.<br />
Meanwhile, SNH will take a lead on<br />
targeting the campaign in Glasgow and<br />
other urban centres.<br />
“We hope this campaign will give<br />
people lots <strong>of</strong> ideas for places to go<br />
outdoors and things to do,” added<br />
Eleanor. “We want to create a sense <strong>of</strong><br />
buzz about the simple pleasures to be<br />
gained from outdoor enjoyment.”<br />
15
NEWS<br />
Positive and negative<br />
Beaver activity can have both positive and negative effects on freshwater fish.<br />
That’s the conclusion <strong>of</strong> the most thorough review ever undertaken <strong>of</strong> the effects<br />
<strong>of</strong> beavers on freshwater fish.<br />
<strong>The</strong> review was carried out for SNH by the University <strong>of</strong> Southampton. It’s<br />
based on studying the scientific literature and surveying 45 fishery managers and<br />
scientists, along with beaver ecology experts, mainly in North America where most<br />
<strong>of</strong> the research has been carried out. <strong>The</strong> report discusses the implications <strong>of</strong> this<br />
work for the European beaver in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
Among the negative effects are beaver dams, which can sometimes stop<br />
fish moving up or down in narrower rivers and streams. <strong>The</strong>re were also reports<br />
<strong>of</strong> some spawning areas being lost immediately upstream <strong>of</strong> dams due to more<br />
silt being present. <strong>The</strong>se effects can change over time and the influence on fish<br />
populations remains unclear.<br />
Beavers can also have positive effects on fish. <strong>The</strong>se include an increase in the<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> habitats in streams and a greater area for the rearing and overwintering<br />
<strong>of</strong> fish. <strong>The</strong>re are also reports <strong>of</strong> an increase in invertebrates, such as insects, on<br />
which fish feed. Beaver activity may also help to provide refuge during periods <strong>of</strong><br />
high or low water flows.<br />
Overall, the positive effects were mentioned more frequently (157 times)<br />
than the negative effects (102 times). In the survey <strong>of</strong> independent experts, the<br />
responses to more than half (58%) <strong>of</strong> the questions suggested that the impact <strong>of</strong><br />
beavers on fish was positive, with 21% negative and the remainder neutral.<br />
<strong>The</strong> report concludes that the negative impact <strong>of</strong> beavers on the movement<br />
<strong>of</strong> fish and the availability <strong>of</strong> suitable spawning habitat can be at least <strong>of</strong>fset by<br />
the benefits. <strong>The</strong>se include an increase in the variety <strong>of</strong> habitats and the resulting<br />
increase in the abundance and productivity <strong>of</strong> fish, including salmon.<br />
16<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
United front<br />
Prominent Scottish landowners have united to condemn any person who illegally<br />
poisons birds <strong>of</strong> prey or other protected species.<br />
Over 200 signed a letter to environment minister Roseanna Cunningham,<br />
calling for the ‘full weight <strong>of</strong> the law’ to be brought to bear on those who illegally<br />
kill raptors.<br />
<strong>The</strong> move comes after the remains <strong>of</strong> three golden eagles, a buzzard and a<br />
sparrowhawk were found during the first week <strong>of</strong> May on or near the grounds <strong>of</strong><br />
Skibo Castle, near Dornoch, Sutherland. Police are investigating if poisoning was<br />
involved.<br />
<strong>The</strong> letter states: “It is widely recognised that wildlife management is a<br />
complex business that continually throws up new challenges, but nothing can<br />
justify illegal activity. It is, for us, a straightforward decision to underline our view<br />
<strong>of</strong> illegal poisoning. Frankly, we condemn it out <strong>of</strong> hand and it has to stop.<br />
“Those <strong>of</strong> us who live and work in the Scottish countryside are appalled by<br />
such behaviour. <strong>The</strong> only thing that is achieved by such acts is the undermining<br />
<strong>of</strong> the excellent work that is done day in, day out on Scottish estates by owners,<br />
land managers and gamekeepers in terms <strong>of</strong> animal welfare and conservation <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s natural heritage.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> message must go out to the people who indulge in such criminal<br />
behaviour that what they do is totally unacceptable to the overwhelming majority<br />
who have the true interests <strong>of</strong> the countryside at heart.<br />
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that message is<br />
conveyed across the land management sector. We do not presume guilt nor refer<br />
to any particular incident, but the apparent deliberate poisoning <strong>of</strong> protected<br />
species in recent years has left us utterly dismayed.<br />
“We also support the full weight <strong>of</strong> the law being brought to bear on those<br />
who are involved in illegal poisoning and endorse the efforts <strong>of</strong> the Partnership for<br />
Action against Wildlife Crime, in which our representative organisations are active<br />
and enthusiastic participants.”<br />
NEWS<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 17
NEWS<br />
‘Operation Caesar’ launched<br />
Significant and lasting<br />
criminal damage has<br />
been found at 75% <strong>of</strong><br />
internationally important<br />
freshwater pearl mussel<br />
sites surveyed across<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
Criminal acts included<br />
both illegal pearl fishing and<br />
unauthorised river works<br />
that led to the destruction<br />
<strong>of</strong> whole pearl mussel<br />
populations.<br />
In a bid to crack down<br />
after the unexpectedly<br />
severe damage, police<br />
and SNH have launched<br />
‘Operation Caesar’, which<br />
seeks the public’s help in<br />
identifying and reporting to<br />
the police any suspicious<br />
activity.<br />
<strong>The</strong> mussels are a protected species, and crimes against them carry the<br />
possibility <strong>of</strong> prison sentences. <strong>Scotland</strong> has a total <strong>of</strong> 21 designated protected<br />
sites for pearl mussels, with Scottish rivers holding around half <strong>of</strong> the world’s<br />
population <strong>of</strong> the species.<br />
<strong>The</strong> wildlife crime findings came to light after the latest round <strong>of</strong> SNH’s routine<br />
monitoring during 2008/2009. It covered areas specially designated to conserve<br />
these amazing and extremely vulnerable animals. Out <strong>of</strong> nine sites surveyed,<br />
damage was found at seven. Three showed such significant damage that recovery<br />
will be extremely challenging.<br />
In one river system in the west Highlands, one <strong>of</strong> the largest pearl mussel<br />
beds <strong>of</strong> at least 600 animals was found to have disappeared since the previous<br />
monitoring visit five years earlier, with no explanation other than destructive pearl<br />
fishing.<br />
“We’ve been shocked at the findings,” stated Iain Sime <strong>of</strong> SNH, “and it’s clear<br />
that we must undertake urgent work to save this species from almost certain<br />
extinction in some areas. Unauthorised engineering in one river seems to have<br />
destroyed the most significant pearl mussel bed <strong>of</strong> around 900 animals in the<br />
lower reaches <strong>of</strong> the river.<br />
“Another site has seen the killing, in less than a day, <strong>of</strong> 50% <strong>of</strong> the mussels in<br />
the burn, making any recovery for the remaining animals extremely difficult. We’ve<br />
launched Operation Caesar to enlist the help <strong>of</strong> people in trying to stop these<br />
crimes.”<br />
Northern Constabulary’s chief inspector Matthew Reiss said they would<br />
be appealing to the angling and walking communities, as well as others who<br />
enjoy the countryside, to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity at or near<br />
water, especially as the warmer summer weather approaches. “This can extend<br />
to suspicious activity in and around rivers – from people searching in rivers and<br />
shells on banks to vehicles parked early in the day,” he added.<br />
‘Operation Caeser’ is so called because the freshwater pearl mussels have<br />
an ancient cultural history in <strong>Scotland</strong>. It’s said that Caesar invaded Britain to get<br />
his hands on the pearls sometimes yielded by the mussels, which also adorn the<br />
Scottish crown jewels.<br />
18<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Sea eagle research<br />
White-tailed sea eagles have a minimal impact on the deaths <strong>of</strong> lambs according<br />
to the results <strong>of</strong> a scientific study.<br />
<strong>The</strong> study, undertaken by the Food and Environment Research Agency for<br />
SNH, recorded the fortunes <strong>of</strong> lambs on the Gairloch peninsula in Wester Ross,<br />
from April to mid-August last year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> research found that sea birds, such as fulmar, were the main source <strong>of</strong><br />
food for the sea eagles. <strong>The</strong>re was little evidence <strong>of</strong> deaths among the lambs that<br />
could be linked to the raptors.<br />
“This is a very timely and valuable piece <strong>of</strong> research,” commented environment<br />
minister Roseanna Cunningham. “<strong>The</strong> sea eagles are a wonderful part <strong>of</strong> our<br />
natural heritage and their reintroduction has been an outstanding success.<br />
“But we also recognise that farmers and cr<strong>of</strong>ters are rightly concerned about<br />
their livestock and it’s important we develop our knowledge and understanding <strong>of</strong><br />
this issue.<br />
“Where there are problems with sea eagles predating on livestock we will look<br />
at maintaining and improving schemes to find ways to help farmers manage their<br />
stock to co-exist with these magnificent birds.”<br />
NEWS<br />
Wildcat population appears stable<br />
Two new reports suggest that the Scottish wildcat is surviving as a distinct<br />
species.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first report looked at the genetic make-up <strong>of</strong> the species and confirmed<br />
that Scottish wildcats can be distinguished from feral cats by coat markings.<br />
Doubt was cast over the identity <strong>of</strong> the Scottish wildcat during a court case in<br />
1990, and there has been ongoing work since to confirm its uniqueness.<br />
<strong>The</strong> second report presents the results <strong>of</strong> a Scottish wildcat survey conducted<br />
between 2006 and 2008. This concluded that wildcats appear to be stable<br />
in their historical locations in the north and east <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>, with localised<br />
populations surviving around Ardnamurchan and Morvern. However, their fate<br />
elsewhere is less clear.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Scottish wildcat is one <strong>of</strong> our most endangered mammals, with crossbreeding<br />
with domestic cats posing the greatest risk. <strong>The</strong> reports will help to<br />
deliver effective conservation action and the management necessary to sustain<br />
the species. In particular, the clear guidance on how to identify the species will<br />
help to target control <strong>of</strong> domestic cats in areas where they pose most risk to the<br />
survival <strong>of</strong> the wildcat.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 19
Dualchas coitcheann<br />
Common heritage<br />
<strong>The</strong> marsh marigold is a vivid reminder<br />
<strong>of</strong> the close links between Gaelic culture<br />
and the Scottish seasons, as Ruairidh<br />
MacIlleathain explains<br />
Lus buidhe Bealltainn<br />
Tha na Gàidheil fhathast a’ comharrachadh na Bealltainn, co-dhiù le bhith ag<br />
ainmeachadh a’ chiad latha dhen Chèitean mar ‘Latha Buidhe Bealltainn’. Tha<br />
‘buidhe’ an dà chuid na chomharra de dhath agus de dheagh fhortan (canaidh<br />
sinn ‘nach buidhe dhut’ gu cumanta fhathast). Bha Bealltainn bhò thùs na<br />
fèill phàganach a bha na inntrigeadh don t-samhradh. Bha e aig ceann eile na<br />
bliadhna bho ‘Shamhain’, fèill phàganach eile a bha a’ comharrachadh toiseach<br />
a’ gheamhraidh. Chanadh na seann daoine ‘bho Shamhain gu Bealltainn’ nuair a<br />
bha iad a’ ciallachadh an leth fuar dhen bhliadhna.<br />
Tha Bealltainn air a comharrachadh ann an lus dùthchasach air an nochd<br />
dìtheannan buidhe mun àm sin dhen bhliadhna. ’S e sin Caltha palustris, lus ris an<br />
canar marsh marigold ann am Beurla. Ann an Gàidhlig, ’s e ‘lus buidhe Bealltainn’<br />
an t-ainm a th’ air. Bhiodh daoine a’ cur dìtheannan an luis seo os cionn an dorsan<br />
airson droch gheasan a sheachnadh; uaireannan bhite gan ceangal ri earbaill<br />
cruidh air an dearbh adhbhar. Is cinnteach gu bheil dath an luis co-cheangailte ris<br />
mar a bha daoine ga thomhas mar fhortanach.<br />
Tha e mar as trice blàth gu leòr aig a’ Bhealltainn ach corra uair cuirear an<br />
sneachd mu dheireadh dhen gheamhradh aig an àm sin. Thathar a’ gabhail<br />
‘sneachd mu bheul na Bealltainn’ air a leithid. Agus bhiodh na balaich ag<br />
èisteachd airson na cuthaig air latha na Bealltainn. Nan cluinneadh iad i,<br />
dh’èigheadh iad “‘Gug-ùg!’ ars a’ chuthag Latha Buidhe Bealltainn”. Agus<br />
mhothaich na seann daoine gum biodh an t-eun beag ris an canar a whimbrel ann<br />
am Beurla a’ nochdadh aig an àm sin a h-uile bliadhna (coltach ris a’ chuthaig,<br />
bidh e a’ cur seachad a’ gheamhraidh ann an Afraga). Mar sin thug iad ‘eun<br />
Bealltainn’ air mar ainm.<br />
B’ e an seann chleachdadh a bhith a’ togail dà theine air Latha na Bealltainn<br />
tron chùirte sprèidh is iomadh rud eile airson an ùrachadh is dìon an aghaidh<br />
droch bhuidseachd. Thathar a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil Tullybelton/Tulach<br />
Bealltainn ann an Siorrachd Pheairt am measg nan àiteachan anns an tachradh<br />
a leithid. Ged nach eil an t-seann fhèill Cheilteach seo air a comharrachadh gu<br />
mòr ann an Alba an-diugh, tha i air beatha ùr fhaighinn anns na bliadhnaichean a<br />
chaidh air an oidhche mu dheireadh dhen Ghiblean air Cnoc na Calltainn ann an<br />
Dùn Èideann. Ged a tha dreach rudeigin ùr-nòsach oirre, tha teine aig meadhan a’<br />
ghnothaich fhathast.<br />
20 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Yellow plant <strong>of</strong> Beltane<br />
<strong>The</strong> marsh marigold is perhaps the most vivid plant reminder <strong>of</strong> the close links<br />
between traditional Gaelic culture and the Scottish seasons. <strong>The</strong> day that<br />
starts the summer, now the first <strong>of</strong> May, is still known in Gaelic as latha buidhe<br />
Bealltainn – the ‘yellow day <strong>of</strong> Beltane’.<br />
Buidhe, however, doesn’t just mean ‘yellow’. It also has suggestions <strong>of</strong><br />
good fortune. This plant, which bears yellow flowers at the time <strong>of</strong> Beltane<br />
(the English word came from Gaelic), is lucky – its blooms would <strong>of</strong>ten be tied<br />
above doorways or to the tails <strong>of</strong> horses or cattle to bring good fortune. <strong>The</strong><br />
Gaelic name for the species is lus buidhe Bealltainn (sounds like ‘looss boo-yuh<br />
BYOWL-tin’) or the ‘yellow plant <strong>of</strong> Beltane’.<br />
Another species named for this season is the whimbrel – eun Bealltainn (‘eeun<br />
BYOWL-tin’), actually meaning ‘bird <strong>of</strong> Beltane’. And Tullybelton in Perthshire<br />
would have experienced the fires through which cattle and other goods were<br />
passed as part <strong>of</strong> the purification rites <strong>of</strong> this pre-Christian festival. Its name<br />
comes from the Gaelic Tulach Bealltainn or ‘Beltane hill’. <strong>The</strong> two greatest<br />
festivals in the old Gaelic calendar were Bealltainn and, six months later, Samhain<br />
– the start <strong>of</strong> winter. <strong>The</strong> first day <strong>of</strong> Samhain is still widely celebrated in Gaelic<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, as it is in the English-speaking world, where it’s called ‘Halloween’.<br />
Buidhe aig a’<br />
Bhealltainn. Bha, agus<br />
tha, lus buidhe<br />
Bealltainn a’<br />
comharrachadh<br />
toiseach an<br />
t-samhraidh ann an<br />
inntinn nan Gàidheal.<br />
<strong>The</strong> yellow Beltane<br />
plant. To <strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
Gaels, the marsh<br />
marigold in bloom<br />
is a traditional symbol<br />
<strong>of</strong> the start <strong>of</strong> summer.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 21
Fun in<br />
the sun<br />
1<br />
Almost 200 events celebrating<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s wildlife and<br />
environment took place<br />
across <strong>Scotland</strong> during<br />
Scottish Biodiversity Week<br />
in May<br />
1<br />
Exploring the<br />
rockpools <strong>of</strong><br />
Coldingham Bay in<br />
Berwickshire at a<br />
‘seashore safari’ event.<br />
22 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
www.snh.gov.uk 23
Organised by SNH and partners, the week <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
something for every taste, including enjoying a guided<br />
badger walk on Corstorphine Hill in Edinburgh, mini-beast<br />
hunting at Vogrie Country Park in Midlothian, a bluebell walk<br />
in the Ballathie Woods in Perthshire, learning about bats<br />
and swifts in Pitlochry, pond-dipping at Vane Farm at Loch<br />
Leven, seeing puffins near Dunbeath in Caithness, hearing<br />
the dawn chorus at Threave Gardens in Dumfries and<br />
Galloway, watching sea eagles on the Isle <strong>of</strong> Mull and going<br />
for a guided walk at the Allt Mhuic butterfly reserve near Fort<br />
William, to name just a few.<br />
Children at St Leonard’s Nursery in Edinburgh launched<br />
the week when SNH board member, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Keith<br />
Nicholson, joined the pupils to explore the nursery’s<br />
spectacular wildlife garden. “Scottish Biodiversity Week<br />
gives people all over <strong>Scotland</strong> a chance to get out in the<br />
countryside and enjoy some wonderful events,” commented<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Nicholson. “We live in a special place. Everyone<br />
knows about the natural beauty in areas like the Highlands<br />
and Islands, but there’s a surprising amount <strong>of</strong> wildlife even<br />
in our city parks. So I hope people enjoyed getting out and<br />
enjoying some <strong>of</strong> these fun events.”<br />
But the occasion isn't quite over yet. Our nature<br />
photography competition is ongoing until 31 July. You<br />
can find out more about it from www.snh.org.uk/<br />
biodiversityweek. <strong>The</strong> theme is 'emotions' – we want to<br />
know how nature affects you. <strong>The</strong>re are great prizes to<br />
be won, including a one-to-one tutorial with SNH’s own<br />
photographer, Lorne Gill, and a fantastic digital camera. <strong>The</strong><br />
top 30 images will be used to develop an exhibition that will<br />
feature in the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival. Send<br />
your best images to bit@snh.gov.uk and don’t forget to tell<br />
us how the images you took affected you.<br />
2<br />
Artist Fraser<br />
MacDonald and his<br />
assistant Neil planting<br />
herbs in a recycled<br />
planter at his<br />
‘Garbology’ site at<br />
Perth and Kinross<br />
recycling centre.<br />
3<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Keith<br />
Nicholson helps a<br />
couple <strong>of</strong> pupils from<br />
St Leonard’s Nursery<br />
in Edinburgh explore<br />
the wildlife in their<br />
pond.<br />
4<br />
Dennis McCullough<br />
shows how to handle a<br />
great tit that’s been<br />
caught at a bird ringing<br />
workshop at Westmuir<br />
Community Woodland,<br />
near Kirriemuir in<br />
Angus.<br />
5<br />
Perth Youth <strong>The</strong>atre<br />
Collective performing<br />
the environmental play<br />
<strong>The</strong> Tree at Larghan<br />
Park, Coupar Angus.<br />
2<br />
24 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
3<br />
4 5<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 25
A recent research study looked at<br />
public attitudes towards estates<br />
and landowners in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
David Greer, deputy chairman <strong>of</strong><br />
the Scottish Estates Business<br />
Group, reflects on the results<br />
1<br />
Farmland, birch<br />
woodland and conifer<br />
plantations in Upper<br />
Deeside, Grampian.<br />
Public<br />
speaking<br />
<strong>The</strong> reputation <strong>of</strong> estates and land ownership is a<br />
subject that will generate a wide range <strong>of</strong> opinions<br />
in <strong>Scotland</strong>. And the views expressed will, <strong>of</strong><br />
course, depend on who you ask.<br />
Until now, it was difficult to assess accurately what people<br />
made <strong>of</strong> estates, if anything at all. On the one hand, estates<br />
could be seen making a significant contribution to rural<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, but their reputation was still burdened with various<br />
issues.<br />
So the Scottish Estates Business Group and the<br />
Scottish Rural Property and Business Association – two<br />
organisations with significant involvement in land use across<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> – decided to ask the public what they really<br />
thought. <strong>The</strong>y felt the results would be useful in considering<br />
the way ahead for land management.<br />
<strong>The</strong> two organisations commissioned George Street<br />
Research, an independent market research agency, to<br />
undertake the wide-ranging study. It involved focus groups<br />
across <strong>Scotland</strong>, followed up with a survey <strong>of</strong> over 1,000<br />
adults. <strong>The</strong> results <strong>of</strong> the research can be viewed at<br />
www.sebg.org/news<br />
26<br />
It’s fair to say that both organisations were a bit anxious<br />
about being on the receiving end <strong>of</strong> a ‘warts and all’<br />
assessment by the public. As it turned out, the results were<br />
both surprising and informative for the land management<br />
sector.<br />
Predictably, the research revealed that the public<br />
appreciate the rural Scottish landscape and value highly<br />
the well-cared-for natural resources that they can enjoy.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y also believe the countryside plays an important part in<br />
tourism and leisure.<br />
However, those interviewed had very little awareness <strong>of</strong><br />
estates, and the role that they play was virtually unknown.<br />
Some 65% said they knew very little or nothing about<br />
estates and only 1% said they knew a ‘great deal’. <strong>The</strong><br />
participants also said they didn’t regard land ownership on<br />
its own as a ‘top <strong>of</strong> mind’ issue.<br />
<strong>The</strong> public tended to relate to the stereotypical ‘Monarch<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Glen’ image when prompted to think about estates,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
1<br />
but they didn’t regard that image negatively. <strong>The</strong>y did,<br />
however, form a negative view if they were aware <strong>of</strong> a<br />
particular issue, such as an access problem, but didn’t<br />
display general hostility.<br />
<strong>The</strong> public made it clear that, once they were aware <strong>of</strong><br />
the role <strong>of</strong> estates, they felt it would be helpful for estates to<br />
communicate more positively on what they do.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> study showed that the management and<br />
maintenance <strong>of</strong> the countryside were somewhat taken for<br />
granted and people assumed them to be largely a function<br />
<strong>of</strong> nature,” commented Jo Fawcett, managing director <strong>of</strong><br />
George Street Research.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re was a lack <strong>of</strong> awareness about estates rather than<br />
antagonism, and it’s clear the public enjoy the facilities and<br />
going into the countryside. <strong>The</strong>y just don’t think much about<br />
how that happens or who’s involved in making it happen.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>se were key findings as far as estates are concerned.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many and varying views on estates, and <strong>of</strong> course<br />
we recognise that we can be viewed in a negative light. It<br />
would be absurd to suggest otherwise. But it was also clear<br />
that the public’s opinions about estates and landowners<br />
were not as strong as we thought they might be.<br />
<strong>The</strong> message coming back from the public is that, when<br />
they experience estates, they like what they see. <strong>The</strong>y do not,<br />
however, make strong connections between that experience<br />
and the contribution <strong>of</strong> estates. <strong>The</strong> big lesson for us to learn<br />
is that we need to make very clear what role we play.<br />
Many rural estates in <strong>Scotland</strong> contribute a great deal in<br />
terms <strong>of</strong> tourism, leisure and business. And the work that’s<br />
done on estates across <strong>Scotland</strong> in terms <strong>of</strong> conservation,<br />
wildlife and habitat management is something in which we<br />
should take pride.<br />
<strong>The</strong> public seems open to finding out more about the<br />
contribution we make to rural <strong>Scotland</strong>. Providing them with<br />
better information is a challenge that estates and landowners<br />
must meet successfully.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 27
Welcome to<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s nature<br />
1<br />
1<br />
<strong>The</strong> group visited<br />
Cleghorn Glen<br />
woodland, where the<br />
steep slopes have<br />
protected the rich mix<br />
<strong>of</strong> trees from felling<br />
and development.<br />
2<br />
Martin Twiss (right)<br />
talked about the<br />
woodland plants that<br />
carpet the ground<br />
during spring and early<br />
summer.<br />
28 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
“Fantastic day<br />
because I relax<br />
and forget about<br />
everything... my<br />
worries... thinking<br />
about many things.<br />
Quiet, peaceful...<br />
had time to listen<br />
to everyone and<br />
have an opinion.”<br />
Akhmed<br />
You probably know plenty <strong>of</strong> outdoor places that<br />
you can visit, having gathered the information from<br />
family, friends and experience over the years. But<br />
what if you’re new to this country? Scott Ferguson<br />
and Elaine Macintosh <strong>of</strong> SNH outline a couple <strong>of</strong><br />
projects aimed at making that knowledge more<br />
widely available<br />
2<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> us are surrounded by information about special places<br />
to visit and things to do in the outdoors, so it’s easy to forget that<br />
knowing where to go and what to do isn’t as simple for everyone in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
I got a chance to experience this first hand when I joined a group from the Bridges<br />
Programme in Glasgow earlier this year. <strong>The</strong> group was visiting Cleghorn Glen<br />
Woods – which forms part <strong>of</strong> the Clyde Valley Woodlands National <strong>Nature</strong><br />
Reserve – as part <strong>of</strong> a ‘Community Introductions’ project. This is a programme <strong>of</strong><br />
visits to ‘special places for nature’ for black and minority ethnic community groups.<br />
<strong>The</strong> group visiting Cleghorn Glen was just starting on a 14-week personal<br />
development programme with Bridges. <strong>The</strong> programmes aim to help refugees and<br />
asylum seekers living in Glasgow gain meaningful work experience. <strong>The</strong>y <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
training, <strong>of</strong>ficial recognition and schemes to upgrade their skills aimed at helping<br />
refugee pr<strong>of</strong>essionals get into long-term jobs at the appropriate level.<br />
It was clear from the start that the visit was a successful ‘introduction’. Martin<br />
Twiss, who works out <strong>of</strong> the SNH Lanark <strong>of</strong>fice, led the group on a walk through<br />
the gorge, and Pammy Johal from Backbone (who has set up and will lead all<br />
the Community Introductions visits) then had us all exploring the woods while<br />
blindfolded.<br />
For some, it was their first opportunity to explore the Scottish countryside<br />
after two or three years living in Glasgow. As we walked back through the ancient<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 29
oakwoods, there was a lot <strong>of</strong> chat about childhood experiences in the outdoors,<br />
and many questions about other places to visit and how to get there. <strong>The</strong> group<br />
left with a commitment to plan and run another visit with the Bridges programme<br />
staff.<br />
Community Introductions is a partnership between SNH, Backbone and<br />
the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity. Backbone is a training and<br />
personal development organisation that promotes ‘celebrating diversity through<br />
adventure’, primarily for women and black and minority ethnic communities.<br />
By bringing together Backbone’s contacts in black and minority ethnic<br />
communities around <strong>Scotland</strong> with our knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s outdoors, the<br />
Community Introductions project has organised a series <strong>of</strong> 12 visits to some<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s ‘special places for nature’ between March and July this year. <strong>The</strong><br />
response from both the natural heritage sector and community groups has been<br />
fantastic. No site manager has turned down the opportunity to take part and<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer a welcome to visiting groups, and more community groups want to visit the<br />
outdoors than we’ve been able to accommodate.<br />
<strong>The</strong> programme <strong>of</strong> visits has taken in national nature reserves at Tentsmuir,<br />
Loch Leven and the Isle <strong>of</strong> May, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and Cairngorms<br />
National Parks, as well as Clyde Muirshiel and Pentland Hills Regional Parks.<br />
For each visit, Backbone and the host organisation work together to plan<br />
activities tailored to the visiting group, aimed at giving participants a taste <strong>of</strong> what<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s outdoors has to <strong>of</strong>fer – whether it’s fun, amazing wildlife, or just a<br />
chance to relax in beautiful surroundings. SNH are now working with Backbone<br />
to secure further funding to extend the programme.<br />
After each visit we ask both participating groups and the host organisation to<br />
tell us what the visit meant to them. And the feedback shows just how important<br />
an organised ‘introduction’ can be for groups with limited access to knowledge<br />
that many Scots take for granted.<br />
3<br />
<strong>The</strong> group all had a go<br />
at exploring the woods<br />
while blindfolded,<br />
including Scott<br />
Ferguson from SNH.<br />
4<br />
Ec<strong>of</strong>usion was a lively<br />
and colourful day out.<br />
3<br />
30<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
4<br />
Fusion for all<br />
A sunny Sunday in April saw 4,000 people in Edinburgh’s<br />
Holyrood Park attend Ec<strong>of</strong>usion, a unique multicultural celebration<br />
encouraging more people to enjoy the outdoors.<br />
Ec<strong>of</strong>usion merged outdoor and environmental activities with arts and crafts from<br />
around the world, combining guided nature and heritage walks, a climbing wall<br />
and a bike skills course with Nepalese dance, Thai fruit carving and Japanese<br />
knotwork.<br />
Arthur’s Seat provided an inspiring backdrop as people browsed information<br />
stalls on opportunities to enjoy <strong>Scotland</strong>’s outdoors and took part in activities<br />
around brightly coloured Indian marquees. Over 40 environmental and<br />
community organisations were involved, with the aim <strong>of</strong> encouraging more<br />
people – <strong>of</strong> all cultural backgrounds – to make the most <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s outdoors<br />
and the nature on their doorsteps.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 31
Ec<strong>of</strong>usion was inspired by the<br />
‘Working with Difference’ programme,<br />
set up by the Forum for Environmental<br />
Volunteering Activity and Backbone.<br />
This involves a partnership <strong>of</strong><br />
environmental organisations and<br />
minority ethnic community groups who<br />
have been working together over the<br />
past year to encourage greater diversity<br />
in <strong>Scotland</strong>’s outdoors.<br />
Black and minority ethnic<br />
communities are <strong>of</strong>ten underrepresented<br />
in environmental and<br />
outdoor activities, and the Working with<br />
Difference programme aims to address<br />
the barriers by supporting partnerships<br />
working between environmental and<br />
black and minority ethnic organisations.<br />
Monthly ‘getting to know you’<br />
meetings and a ‘learning by doing’<br />
approach led to visits to the outdoors<br />
for 200 people from black and minority<br />
ethnic communities and a number <strong>of</strong><br />
ongoing projects. For instance, a visit<br />
to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, hosted<br />
by Forestry Commission <strong>Scotland</strong>, was<br />
enjoyed by a group from the project for<br />
minority ethnic carers <strong>of</strong> older people<br />
and the Nepal <strong>Scotland</strong> Association.<br />
“This trail reminded us all as if we were<br />
walking in the Himalayas,” remarked<br />
one <strong>of</strong> the group. “You don’t feel lonely<br />
when nature is with you.”<br />
Recently, seven community groups<br />
received funding from the Paths for All<br />
organisation to set up local health walk<br />
programmes, and a number <strong>of</strong> groups<br />
are planning the John Muir Award with<br />
Historic <strong>Scotland</strong>’s ranger service.<br />
Pammy Johal <strong>of</strong> Backbone was<br />
delighted by the partnerships and<br />
projects that quickly grew out <strong>of</strong> the<br />
programme. “In setting up Working<br />
with Difference, we discovered that<br />
environmental organisations and black<br />
and minority ethnic community groups<br />
found it difficult to make connections.<br />
A year later, the Ec<strong>of</strong>usion celebration<br />
event brought together everything that<br />
this programme set out to achieve!”<br />
“Many people felt ownership <strong>of</strong><br />
the event because they were involved<br />
in the planning process,” commented<br />
Adil Ibrahim <strong>of</strong> the Community<br />
Organisation for Race Equality, who<br />
organised a football tournament at the<br />
event. “Ec<strong>of</strong>usion was an excellent<br />
32<br />
5<br />
5<br />
<strong>The</strong> climbing wall was<br />
a big hit with the<br />
children.<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong>re were<br />
opportunities to get up<br />
close to wildlife.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
“We all enjoyed the<br />
outdoor space at<br />
Holyrood Park. We<br />
have never felt so<br />
relaxed and cheerful<br />
in Edinburgh before.”<br />
Adil Ibrahim,<br />
Community Organisation<br />
for Race Equality<br />
way <strong>of</strong> bringing communities together, <strong>of</strong>fering them the<br />
opportunity to try new outdoor activities, meet environmental<br />
organisations and simply appreciate the outdoor spaces. We<br />
all enjoyed the outdoor space at Holyrood Park. We have<br />
never felt so relaxed and cheerful in Edinburgh before.”<br />
Tasnim Rafiq <strong>of</strong> the Beyond the Veil organisation had<br />
a stall at the event and was equally enthusiastic about the<br />
introductions made on the day. “We met up with so many<br />
people connected to Ec<strong>of</strong>usion,” she remarked, “and we<br />
exchanged numbers, so we’ll hopefully be able to work<br />
together.”<br />
For SNH, Ec<strong>of</strong>usion was an opportunity to promote<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s natural heritage to a new audience. We were<br />
able to highlight the special qualities <strong>of</strong> national nature<br />
reserves, as well as encouraging people to enjoy nature and<br />
landscapes closer to home.<br />
A key aim for SNH is to get more people to access the<br />
outdoors more <strong>of</strong>ten, and to ensure that the health and<br />
wellbeing benefits <strong>of</strong> the natural heritage are shared more<br />
widely. So, whether you prefer your dose <strong>of</strong> nature on a quiet<br />
walk in the park, hitting adrenaline highs in adventurous<br />
outdoor pursuits, visiting one <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s special places<br />
for nature, or helping manage your local greenspace, the<br />
outdoors has something to make everyone smile.<br />
6<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 33
We two are one<br />
34<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Two <strong>of</strong> the government organisations<br />
involved with wildlife management in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> are set to merge this summer<br />
Reform <strong>of</strong> the public sector will see the merger in August <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Deer Commission for <strong>Scotland</strong> (DCS) with Scottish Natural<br />
Heritage (SNH).<br />
“<strong>The</strong> merging <strong>of</strong> SNH<br />
and DCS creates an<br />
organisation that will<br />
be more effective and<br />
efficient”<br />
<strong>The</strong> organisations have been working towards the merger since the Scottish<br />
Government announced in 2008 that they planned to bring together a number <strong>of</strong><br />
public bodies in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
<strong>The</strong> union <strong>of</strong> SNH and the DCS will create a stronger organisation. It will<br />
combine the skills and experience <strong>of</strong> staff in order to provide a better service<br />
for customers, particularly those with an interest in deer and deer management.<br />
It means also that deer management in <strong>Scotland</strong> can be taken forward in the<br />
context <strong>of</strong> broader nature and landscape issues, rather than as a separate activity.<br />
In addition, the new merged organisation will be more cost-efficient through<br />
having only one business to run rather than two separate bodies. And SNH and<br />
DCS already share the same headquarters building in Inverness, so the upheaval<br />
for staff has been kept to a minimum.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> merging <strong>of</strong> SNH and DCS creates an organisation that will be more<br />
effective and efficient at looking after all <strong>of</strong> nature for all <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>,” commented<br />
Ian Jardine, chief executive <strong>of</strong> SNH.<br />
“We’ll be taking forward the full range <strong>of</strong> actions previously dealt with by the<br />
DCS, which means that SNH will now have a bigger role in wildlife management.<br />
We want to ensure that <strong>Scotland</strong>’s wildlife is managed in a sustainable way so<br />
that our rich natural resources remain for future generations to enjoy.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> term ‘wildlife management’ is an important one. As a result <strong>of</strong> the merger,<br />
SNH have set up a new wildlife management team, which will focus on the broad<br />
range <strong>of</strong> issues involved in the management <strong>of</strong> certain wild species found across<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> – from our more remote, rural areas through to the heart <strong>of</strong> our towns<br />
and cities.<br />
Wildlife management can be a sensitive area <strong>of</strong> work as it <strong>of</strong>ten involves<br />
catching, relocating or culling animals. This necessity has to be balanced<br />
with SNH’s commitment to look after and promote our rich, varied nature and<br />
landscapes, and also with the need for the highest standards <strong>of</strong> animal welfare.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are a number <strong>of</strong> wild animals and plants in <strong>Scotland</strong> that are actively<br />
managed for food, sport, conservation and pr<strong>of</strong>it. Some species are managed to<br />
reduce the impact they have through damaging crops or other wildlife, such as<br />
mink.<br />
Other species are managed to help their population and conservation, as we<br />
have seen with the reintroduction <strong>of</strong> birds such as sea eagles and red kites. Some<br />
wild animals are also managed for commercial and recreational purposes and<br />
for pr<strong>of</strong>it, such as the management <strong>of</strong> grouse and deer populations for country<br />
sports.<br />
Our wildlife, including deer, is a major asset that we need to manage and look<br />
after for conservation as well as economic purposes. Indeed, country sports in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> are the second largest primary land use (some 20%) after farming.<br />
After August, SNH will have a broader role in terms <strong>of</strong> wildlife management,<br />
and this will contribute significantly to the organisation’s overall responsibility for<br />
helping people to understand, appreciate, value and enjoy all aspects <strong>of</strong> nature in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk<br />
35
36Reserve focus<br />
Wetland wonder<br />
<strong>The</strong> sprawling Insh Marshes in<br />
Badenoch form one <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
important wetlands in Europe. <strong>The</strong><br />
marshes create a patchwork <strong>of</strong> open<br />
water, wetland, meadow and woodland,<br />
providing a sanctuary for a wealth <strong>of</strong><br />
wildlife<br />
1<br />
<strong>The</strong> national nature<br />
reserve includes a<br />
large section <strong>of</strong> the<br />
River Spey floodplain.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
1
Reserve boundary<br />
Parking<br />
Viewpoint<br />
Information board<br />
To<br />
Newtonmore<br />
Kingussie<br />
A86<br />
To Aviemore and<br />
Inverness<br />
A9(T)<br />
B9152<br />
r<br />
R i v e<br />
S p e y<br />
To<br />
Aviemore<br />
Hide<br />
A road<br />
B road<br />
Minor road<br />
Track<br />
Railway / Station<br />
Reserve paths<br />
B970<br />
Ruthven<br />
Barracks<br />
Gordonhall<br />
Hide<br />
1<br />
Invertromie<br />
Hide<br />
2<br />
3<br />
River Tromie<br />
Invertromie<br />
Tromie<br />
Mills<br />
To<br />
Insh<br />
A9(T)<br />
Ruthven<br />
Torcroy<br />
4<br />
B970<br />
5<br />
Tromie<br />
Bridge<br />
To<br />
Perth<br />
0 kilometre 1<br />
0 mile<br />
1<br />
Look out over the vast watery expanse <strong>of</strong> the Insh Marshes and<br />
it’s easy to forget that you’re many miles from the sea. However,<br />
the brooding backdrop <strong>of</strong> the Monadhliath mountains and the<br />
Cairngorms is a constant reminder <strong>of</strong> the inland location.<br />
<strong>The</strong> marshes occupy some 10 sq km between Kingussie and<br />
Kincraig, where the River Spey spills out onto the floodplain several<br />
times a year. Both snow and heavy rain result in flood waters filling<br />
up the marshland.<br />
To reach the reserve, follow the B970 south from Kingussie,<br />
towards and then beyond Ruthven Barracks. <strong>The</strong> reserve entrance<br />
is just over a kilometre east <strong>of</strong> the barracks.<br />
This walk begins at the car park and takes in both the Invertromie<br />
(1.5 km) and Tromie Meadow (4.5 km) trails. <strong>The</strong> Invertromie Trail<br />
takes you to hides, from where you have superb views over the<br />
marshes. <strong>The</strong> Tromie Meadow Trail leads you to the meadows, with<br />
their remarkable show <strong>of</strong> plants and butterflies in summer. Both<br />
trails are unsurfaced and have steep slopes. Use the numbered map<br />
and directions in the text to guide you around.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 37
1<br />
<strong>The</strong> floodplain naturally floods several times a year, which<br />
helps to keep it fertile. <strong>The</strong> marshes provide secure nesting<br />
and feeding sites for large numbers <strong>of</strong> wading birds and<br />
wildfowl. Over 500 pairs <strong>of</strong> wading birds (such as lapwing,<br />
snipe, curlew and redshank), plus hundreds <strong>of</strong> pairs <strong>of</strong><br />
waterfowl (including rare species such as goldeneye, wigeon<br />
and spotted crake) nest here from April to June.<br />
Flooded ground provides the essential conditions for<br />
these birds to survive. Listen out for the mournful echo <strong>of</strong> a<br />
curlew or the persistent ‘pee-wit’ call <strong>of</strong> a lapwing. It’s also<br />
an ideal environment for a range <strong>of</strong> specialist animals, from<br />
otters to minute water life.<br />
2<br />
2<br />
<strong>The</strong> reserve has one <strong>of</strong> the most important stands <strong>of</strong> aspen<br />
trees in the country. Although aspen occurs throughout<br />
Britain, it’s most common in the north and west <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>,<br />
and is also found in Shetland and the Hebrides. Aspen<br />
is notable for the distinctive way its leaves tremble in the<br />
slightest breeze. <strong>The</strong> leaves <strong>of</strong> the tree were believed in<br />
folklore to tremble continually, so it was also known as the<br />
‘shivering tree’.<br />
Aspen can reach a height <strong>of</strong> 20m, but in most locations<br />
in the Highlands it will only grow to about 10m tall. <strong>The</strong> tree<br />
is important for rare insects, mosses, lichens and fungi. Dead<br />
aspen also provides a home for the very rare aspen hoverfly,<br />
whose larvae live under the bark.<br />
3<br />
3<br />
This area overlooks Invertromie Farm, and you can see along<br />
the length <strong>of</strong> the floodplain. Cattle, ponies and sheep graze<br />
the marsh from spring to autumn to keep the area free from<br />
trees and to prevent the marsh from becoming overgrown.<br />
<strong>The</strong> marshes also provide a little grass for hay and other<br />
forage cutting in drier areas. <strong>The</strong> floods return in late summer<br />
and force cattle and sheep to higher ground. During the<br />
summer months, you might see osprey hunting for fish along<br />
the river and over open areas <strong>of</strong> water.<br />
2<br />
Goldeneye have been<br />
attracted to nest at<br />
Insh Marshes in<br />
specially designed<br />
boxes put up on trees<br />
close to water.<br />
3<br />
Redshank like wet<br />
grassland. Drainage on<br />
farmland has reduced<br />
their numbers<br />
nationally.<br />
4<br />
Aspen wood was once<br />
a popular choice for<br />
making oars and<br />
paddles because it’s<br />
light and buoyant.<br />
38 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
www.snh.gov.uk 39<br />
4
5<br />
4<br />
Watch out for redstarts and tree pipits here in summer.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se summer visitors are typical species in this kind <strong>of</strong><br />
open woodland. Redstarts are mainly found in the north<br />
and west <strong>of</strong> the UK, and are immediately identifiable by<br />
their bright orange-red tails, which they <strong>of</strong>ten quiver. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
‘bob’ in a very robin-like manner, but they spend very little<br />
time at ground level. You might also see a range <strong>of</strong> other<br />
small woodland species such as tits and warblers, as well<br />
as sparrowhawks and buzzards, which might be spotted<br />
hunting overhead.<br />
5<br />
6<br />
We’ve identified over 500 types <strong>of</strong> plant on the site, with<br />
150 on Invertromie Meadow alone. <strong>The</strong> reserve is well<br />
known for a wide variety <strong>of</strong> orchids. A careful search <strong>of</strong> the<br />
meadow areas in early summer should reward you with the<br />
beautiful purple flowers <strong>of</strong> the heath-spotted orchid or the<br />
sweet scent <strong>of</strong> the fragrant orchid. Just like the birds, the<br />
plants here rely on damp conditions to provide the essential<br />
conditions for them to survive.<br />
In summer, you may see many varieties <strong>of</strong> butterfly,<br />
including Scotch argus and dark green fritillary. <strong>The</strong> former<br />
is found mainly in <strong>Scotland</strong> where it flies in tall, damp<br />
grassland, whereas the dark green fritillary occurs in a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> flower-rich grasslands, <strong>of</strong>ten with patches <strong>of</strong> scrub. You<br />
can <strong>of</strong>ten see dragonflies as well, including the black darter,<br />
close to the trail.<br />
Insh Marshes is one <strong>of</strong> over 50 national nature reserves in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>. Find out more at www.nnr-scotland.org.uk<br />
40<br />
5<br />
Redstarts are summer<br />
visitors to Britain,<br />
arriving in April and<br />
leaving in early<br />
September.<br />
6<br />
<strong>The</strong> heath-spotted<br />
orchid flourishes<br />
particularly in the west<br />
and northwest <strong>of</strong><br />
Britain. It likes<br />
moorland, acidic soil or<br />
damp pasture, and<br />
flowers in late May to<br />
early August.<br />
7<br />
Visitors enjoying the<br />
view over Insh Marshes<br />
from the new<br />
information viewpoint,<br />
part-funded by SNH.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Essential information<br />
<strong>The</strong> reserve covers some 8 kilometres <strong>of</strong> floodplain between<br />
Kingussie and Loch Insh. <strong>The</strong> nearest bus stop and train<br />
station are in Kingussie, a 1.5 kilometre walk from the<br />
reserve. Insh Marshes are connected to the Badenoch Way<br />
cycle and walking route.<br />
OS maps<br />
Explorer 402 (Badenoch & Upper Strathspey)<br />
Explorer 403 (Cairn Gorm & Aviemore)<br />
Trail length<br />
Invertromie Trail – 1.5 kilometres<br />
Tromie Meadow Trail – 4.5 kilometres<br />
Terrain<br />
<strong>The</strong> paths are unevenly surfaced and wide, with some steep<br />
slopes, steps and rough sections.<br />
Dogs<br />
If you have a dog with you, please make sure you keep it on<br />
a short lead or under close control at all times. Please also<br />
make sure you pick up after your dog and dispose <strong>of</strong> waste<br />
carefully.<br />
Further information<br />
<strong>The</strong> reserve is open all year. If you’d like to join a guided<br />
walk, arrange a group visit or simply find out more about<br />
the work at Insh Marshes, you can contact the warden at<br />
Ivy Cottage, Insh, Kingussie, tel: 01540 661 518,<br />
email: nsro@rspb.org.uk<br />
Nearby natural attractions<br />
At Kincraig there’s the Highland Wildlife Park, where you<br />
can discover a wide variety <strong>of</strong> Scottish wildlife, as well as<br />
endangered animals <strong>of</strong> the world’s mountains and tundra.<br />
<strong>The</strong> park is open every day <strong>of</strong> the year, apart from 25<br />
December. From April to October, the opening times are<br />
10am to 5pm, and from July to August it is 10am to 6pm.<br />
If you’d like to visit another national nature reserve in<br />
the area, then there are plenty to choose from. Inshriach<br />
and Invereshie is just a couple <strong>of</strong> miles away, Craigellachie<br />
sits alongside Aviemore, Glenmore is close by, and there’s<br />
Creag Meagaidh to the west and Abernethy to the north.<br />
Visit www.nnr-scotland.org.uk for details.<br />
7<br />
www.snh.gov.uk<br />
41
SNH Area News<br />
Grampian<br />
Correspondent: Ewen Cameron<br />
Return <strong>of</strong> the natives<br />
Stories <strong>of</strong> wildlife in decline may seem<br />
commonplace, but it’s still possible<br />
to find nuggets <strong>of</strong> good news. For<br />
instance, major projects have allowed<br />
red squirrels to make a comeback in<br />
and around Aberdeen, and water voles<br />
are re-appearing in Formartine, near<br />
Ellon. Both animals were previously<br />
losing out to invasive non-native<br />
species – grey squirrels were replacing<br />
reds and American mink were killing <strong>of</strong>f<br />
water voles.<br />
<strong>The</strong> water vole project used longterm<br />
research to find an efficient way<br />
<strong>of</strong> trapping mink. Small rafts in rivers<br />
were checked for footprints, and the<br />
areas with lots <strong>of</strong> activity determined<br />
where to place the mink traps. We can’t<br />
eliminate mink, but they’re sufficiently<br />
under control for voles to be seen again<br />
in the Tarty and Foveran Burns for the<br />
first time in over 10 years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ‘Saving <strong>Scotland</strong>’s Red<br />
Squirrels’ project in the northeast<br />
involves stopping any further spread<br />
<strong>of</strong> grey squirrels across Aberdeen City<br />
and Aberdeenshire. It requires targeted<br />
control to protect the remaining red<br />
squirrels that are still hanging on.<br />
Thanks to a dedicated project team<br />
and public support, we’re now seeing<br />
reds returning to some <strong>of</strong> their original<br />
haunts in the city.<br />
You can find further details at<br />
www.watervolescotland.org and<br />
www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk<br />
Moving on<br />
In mid-April we locked up our Aberdeen<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice in Rubislaw Terrace for the last<br />
time and moved into the purpose-built<br />
Inverdee House in Torry. We share the<br />
building with the Scottish Environment<br />
Protection Agency (SEPA) and the<br />
Joint <strong>Nature</strong> Conservation Committee<br />
(JNCC).<br />
Although it was a bit <strong>of</strong> a wrench to<br />
leave our ‘home’ <strong>of</strong> over 30 years, the<br />
modern Inverdee House will help us<br />
to continue saving energy and lower<br />
our carbon footprint. This modern<br />
building also gives a better working<br />
environment and makes it much easier<br />
for colleagues to visit.<br />
SEPA and JNCC are key partners<br />
for SNH, and our joint working will<br />
become even more efficient now that<br />
all three organisations share the same<br />
building. Projects that we all work<br />
on include development planning;<br />
the water framework directive;<br />
river catchment management, such<br />
as the River Dee Special Area <strong>of</strong><br />
Conservation; river basin management<br />
planning; marine renewables and<br />
much more.<br />
Having all three organisations in the<br />
same building also gives us a further<br />
opportunity to share more ‘back <strong>of</strong>fice’<br />
support. As a result, SNH Aberdeen<br />
have been able to make another small<br />
reduction in staffing. Click on<br />
www.inverdeehouse.org.uk/default.<br />
aspx for further information.<br />
Helping hands<br />
<strong>The</strong> last time Grampian featured in<br />
these pages, we wrote about projects<br />
helped through the Grampian LEADER<br />
programme. <strong>The</strong> good news is that,<br />
even with budget cuts, we’re still<br />
managing to support some great<br />
community projects.<br />
Recently, we gave £8,000 to the<br />
Whale & Dolphin Society to kit out their<br />
Spey Bay classroom; £15,000 to the<br />
Strichen Community Park to buy a new<br />
tractor to maintain paths and cut<br />
grass; and £1,000 to help a newly<br />
formed group <strong>of</strong> volunteers purchase<br />
bat detection equipment.<br />
In addition, 2010 is the International<br />
Year <strong>of</strong> Biodiversity and we wanted<br />
to help publicise the fact that it’s<br />
not just tigers and polar bears that<br />
are important. So, we’ve helped the<br />
Scottish Ornithologists Club print their<br />
NE Bird Atlas. Eventually, a free copy<br />
<strong>of</strong> the book will be placed in all schools<br />
and libraries in Grampian.<br />
Most groups to which we grant<br />
aid have one thing in common –<br />
they realise that <strong>Scotland</strong>’s natural<br />
world supports our economy and<br />
quality <strong>of</strong> life, and we all have to take<br />
responsibility for it. <strong>The</strong>y know that<br />
SNH can’t do everything, so they roll up<br />
their sleeves and muck in. And for our<br />
part, we’re delighted to be able to give<br />
them a helping hand.<br />
42 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
SNH Area News<br />
North Highland<br />
Correspondents: Ian Mitchell, Sue Agnew/Alex Scott<br />
Room with a view<br />
An exciting new project is under way<br />
to build a timber wildlife watching hide<br />
on the shores <strong>of</strong> Loch Fleet in East<br />
Sutherland. With a backdrop <strong>of</strong> Balblair<br />
Woods, the hide will provide a new<br />
viewing facility overlooking Balblair Bay,<br />
and will demonstrate the use <strong>of</strong> homegrown<br />
Scots pine.<br />
<strong>The</strong> project is being co-ordinated<br />
by Highland Birchwoods through a<br />
scheme aimed at encouraging greater<br />
use <strong>of</strong> Scots pine for building projects.<br />
Highland Birchwoods are working<br />
closely with SNH (who are co-funding<br />
the project), Sutherland Estates and<br />
Scottish Wildlife Trust. Neil Sutherland<br />
Architects and MAKAR Ltd will be<br />
developing and building it.<br />
Loch Fleet is a national nature<br />
reserve and it’s already a popular<br />
area for walkers and wildlife<br />
enthusiasts. <strong>The</strong> hide should be open in<br />
the autumn, and the new facility should<br />
attract not only wildlife watchers, but<br />
also folk interested in seeing what can<br />
be achieved using home-grown timber.<br />
Knockan face-lift<br />
Knockan Crag lies some 20 km north<br />
<strong>of</strong> Ullapool and holds the key to an<br />
amazing story <strong>of</strong> colliding continents<br />
and scientific intrigue. This is a place<br />
<strong>of</strong> global importance, both to<br />
geologists and to people who simply<br />
want to wonder at the forces that shape<br />
our planet.<br />
<strong>The</strong> crag at Knockan exposes rocks<br />
that lit up the scientific world in the<br />
19th century, with the discovery that a<br />
slice <strong>of</strong> old rocks sits on top <strong>of</strong> much<br />
younger ones. <strong>The</strong> ‘Moine Thrust’, as<br />
it’s known, was created by the force <strong>of</strong><br />
two continents crashing together many<br />
millions <strong>of</strong> years ago.<br />
Today, Knockan is a national<br />
nature reserve and a popular tourist<br />
destination. In 2001, SNH carried out<br />
a major upgrade <strong>of</strong> the site’s visitor<br />
facilities and it’s now in need <strong>of</strong> a<br />
substantial face-lift. So SNH, with<br />
the support <strong>of</strong> the Highland LEADER<br />
Programme, have set out to create a<br />
new visitor welcome area, refresh the<br />
interpretation and re-fit the novel ‘Rock<br />
Room’. <strong>The</strong> new visitor facilities at<br />
Knockan – as well as a renewed ‘Rock<br />
Route’ geological trail around the area<br />
– will be installed and opened in time<br />
for Easter 2011.<br />
Willows gain ground<br />
<strong>The</strong> Inchnadamph area in west<br />
Sutherland is famous for its limestone<br />
pavement landscapes and associated<br />
plantlife. In the late 1980s, the estate<br />
removed their sheep from the area. This<br />
brought about an increase in the red<br />
deer population, which then led to more<br />
deer grazing and trampling the ground.<br />
By 2000, the animals were causing<br />
serious damage.<br />
<strong>The</strong> owners therefore reduced<br />
deer numbers over a five-year period<br />
as part <strong>of</strong> an agreement with the Deer<br />
Commission for <strong>Scotland</strong> and SNH.<br />
<strong>The</strong> good news is that the landscapes<br />
and plants – which are important on<br />
a European scale – have improved<br />
greatly. In particular, the rare whortleleaved<br />
willow (pictured above), which<br />
seems especially attractive to deer<br />
browsing, has responded really well.<br />
More bushes now produce flowers<br />
and seeds, and they’re growing taller<br />
each year. So the deer browsing<br />
doesn’t seem to be limiting their<br />
survival. Meanwhile, the estate is<br />
maintaining deer numbers at the lower<br />
level, which is still enough for them to<br />
maintain their sporting interests.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 43
SNH Area News<br />
Northern Isles<br />
Correspondents: Juan Brown, Denise Woodford, Tim Dean<br />
Studying sick fairies<br />
Festival time<br />
Heavenly rain<br />
<strong>The</strong> famous colony <strong>of</strong> storm petrels<br />
on the uninhabited island <strong>of</strong> Mousa<br />
in Shetland will be studied this year<br />
by Glasgow University PhD student<br />
Hannah Watson. She’ll be looking at<br />
the effects <strong>of</strong> environmental stress on<br />
this tiny mysterious seabird, which looks<br />
for food far <strong>of</strong>fshore and only returns to<br />
the colony in darkness.<br />
Mousa has the largest storm petrel<br />
colony in Britain and supports perhaps<br />
2% <strong>of</strong> the world population. <strong>The</strong> RSPB<br />
manage the island reserve, and there<br />
are night-time boat trips during the<br />
summer months. Visitors head for the<br />
Iron Age broch, which is an iconic<br />
Shetland landmark that provides<br />
nesting sites for many <strong>of</strong> the petrels.<br />
This dramatic setting comes alive with<br />
purring and hiccuping calls (likened to<br />
the sound <strong>of</strong> a fairy being sick!), as batlike<br />
shapes flutter around the mighty<br />
stone walls.<br />
A recent census suggested that<br />
the storm petrel population on Mousa<br />
is thriving, in contrast to many seabird<br />
species that have suffered in recent<br />
years because <strong>of</strong> a shortage <strong>of</strong><br />
sandeels. <strong>The</strong> petrels feed on surface<br />
plankton and can perhaps cope better<br />
with food shortages because their<br />
chicks remain inactive while the adults<br />
search far and wide for food.<br />
Shetland <strong>Nature</strong> Festival will be taking<br />
place from 3 to 11 July. Now in its third<br />
year, the festival celebrates the wildlife<br />
and wide open spaces <strong>of</strong> Shetland,<br />
with events and activities to suit all<br />
ages and interests.<br />
Holding the festival in July<br />
allows everyone to make the most <strong>of</strong><br />
Shetland’s nature, when daylight lasts<br />
until late evening, cliffs are teeming with<br />
thousands <strong>of</strong> seabirds, wildflowers are<br />
blooming and there’s a good chance <strong>of</strong><br />
spotting sea mammals.<br />
This year’s family-friendly events<br />
start with an open day on Noss National<br />
<strong>Nature</strong> Reserve, which is a highlight<br />
in the diary for many local people and<br />
always popular with visitors.<br />
Throughout the week there will be<br />
workshops such as ‘butterfly feeders’<br />
and ‘creepy crawlies’, along with family<br />
fun days including ‘Shetland Rocks!’<br />
and ‘Go wild with your child’. Local<br />
organisations will also be giving guided<br />
walks (pictured above), taking in some<br />
<strong>of</strong> Shetland’s most spectacular scenery<br />
and highlighting the varied wildlife <strong>of</strong><br />
the islands. Other events include boat<br />
trips and talks.<br />
<strong>The</strong> festival is a joint venture<br />
between the main partners Shetland<br />
Amenity Trust, RSPB <strong>Scotland</strong> and<br />
SNH. Check out the website<br />
www.shetlandnaturefestival.co.uk<br />
for further details.<br />
Weary and blackened fire fighters<br />
were spread along the slopes <strong>of</strong> Grut<br />
Fea on the island <strong>of</strong> Hoy in April.<br />
Armed only with fire beaters, they<br />
represented the thin line <strong>of</strong> defence<br />
between the onrushing tongues <strong>of</strong><br />
flames crackling through the tinder-dry<br />
heather and the ancient woodland in<br />
the Berriedale valley.<br />
<strong>The</strong> valley is home to the most<br />
northerly natural woodland in Britain,<br />
holding Orkney’s largest stretch <strong>of</strong><br />
native ancient forest. It’s thought<br />
to date back thousands <strong>of</strong> years to<br />
before the arrival <strong>of</strong> people on the<br />
Northern Isles. Its sheltered slopes<br />
give refuge to a special range <strong>of</strong> island<br />
plantlife, including downy birch, rowan,<br />
willow, aspen, two <strong>of</strong> Orkney’s three<br />
hazel trees, tree lungwort and other<br />
woodland plants. For many, it’s a place<br />
<strong>of</strong> pilgrimage.<br />
And then, with hungry flames<br />
barely 30 paces from the wood and<br />
with the fire fighters in retreat, the<br />
wind swung round 180 degrees. As it<br />
did, the rain began to fall. <strong>The</strong> fatigued<br />
cheered and the local councillor<br />
described it as ‘divine intervention’.<br />
Who knows, maybe it was.<br />
44 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
SNH Area News<br />
Forth and Borders<br />
Correspondents: Neville Makan, Heather Kinnin, Andrew Panter<br />
Caring developers<br />
Great crested newts are a highly<br />
protected species and are known<br />
to favour the landscapes <strong>of</strong> central<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> as a place to live. <strong>The</strong>y can<br />
therefore frustrate some developers in<br />
this busy part <strong>of</strong> the country.<br />
I&H Brown are a company that<br />
specialise in reclaiming brownfield land.<br />
So you might have expected them to<br />
be a bit vexed when they discovered a<br />
population <strong>of</strong> these special creatures<br />
using part <strong>of</strong> a site earmarked for<br />
regeneration near the community<br />
<strong>of</strong> Banknock, Falkirk. However, they<br />
instead grasped the challenge with<br />
both hands – literally!<br />
<strong>The</strong>y installed over 1.5 kilometres<br />
<strong>of</strong> fencing to manage newt movements<br />
during construction; designed the<br />
landscape plan to consider future newt<br />
travels and habitat needs; set aside over<br />
10% <strong>of</strong> the area as a wildlife reserve;<br />
and involved local school children in<br />
creating suitable homes for newts.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y even allowed their development<br />
manager, Tommy Devlin, to be trained<br />
and licensed to handle and relocate<br />
trapped newts within the site.<br />
Tommy (pictured) is delighted to<br />
get ‘hands on’ with the great crested<br />
newts, despite a certain amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> ribbing from colleagues. He<br />
regularly checks the traps for newts,<br />
demonstrating that not all developers<br />
are afraid to show they care about our<br />
exceptional wildlife.<br />
Gigantic scorpion<br />
Evidence <strong>of</strong> a giant six-legged water<br />
scorpion has been found on the Fife<br />
coast. <strong>The</strong>re’s no need for alarm,<br />
however, as it’s not been there for<br />
some 330 million years – before the<br />
dinosaurs. Known as Hibbertopterus,<br />
this ancient animal would have been<br />
about two metres long and about<br />
a metre broad, and was related to<br />
modern-day scorpions and horseshoe<br />
crabs.<br />
We know it was there because it<br />
left behind a unique fossil trackway<br />
(shown above) as it crawled over damp<br />
sand. <strong>The</strong> trackway, which is preserved<br />
in sandstone, consists <strong>of</strong> three rows<br />
<strong>of</strong> crescent shaped footprints on each<br />
side <strong>of</strong> a central groove. <strong>The</strong> groove<br />
was made by the tail <strong>of</strong> the animal as it<br />
dragged itself over the sand.<br />
This find is unique and internationally<br />
important because the creature was<br />
gigantic. Sadly, the coastal site where<br />
the fossil was found is vulnerable to<br />
the forces <strong>of</strong> nature. To preserve this<br />
important evidence, Geoheritage<br />
Fife (with funding from SNH and the<br />
Geologists’ Association) have paid for<br />
the trackway to be moulded in silicone<br />
rubber. It’s hoped that replicas made<br />
from the moulding can be displayed in<br />
museums and universities.<br />
Restoring the land<br />
A recent conference in Peebles<br />
brought together land managers,<br />
environmentalists, academics and<br />
others to consider how to put restoring<br />
the environment at the heart <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Scottish Government’s emerging land<br />
use strategy.<br />
James Aronson from the Centre for<br />
Functional and Evolutionary Ecology in<br />
France gave the opening presentation,<br />
describing his experience <strong>of</strong> projects<br />
in other countries and the factors<br />
that decide whether or not they are<br />
successful. Other speakers covered the<br />
scope for restoring areas for wildlife in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> – upland, woodlands, bogs,<br />
rivers and flood plains, as well as farm<br />
land – and highlighted examples <strong>of</strong><br />
good practice.<br />
By the end, there was broad<br />
agreement that we need to do more<br />
to promote restoring natural areas in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>. This will correct the damage<br />
caused by past human activity and also<br />
help to meet the future challenges and<br />
opportunities presented by climate<br />
change.<br />
Willie McGhee, director <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Borders Forest Trust, summed up the<br />
day: “We must ensure that restoring<br />
the environment is at the forefront <strong>of</strong><br />
any policy decisions. Getting it right is<br />
critical for both the land itself and for<br />
the people who work and live on it.”<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 45
Events diary 2010<br />
July<br />
Thursday 1<br />
Sunday 4<br />
Tuesday 6<br />
Wednesday 14<br />
Thursday 15<br />
Monday 19<br />
Friday 23<br />
Tuesday 27<br />
Saturday 31<br />
Guided Walks<br />
Knockan Crag NNR<br />
Sutherland<br />
Join our geologist guide and explore one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s top Earth science sites. Discover<br />
how forces deep within the Earth can cause<br />
great masses <strong>of</strong> rock to slide up and over much<br />
younger rock.<br />
Tel: 01571 844 000<br />
Thursday 8<br />
A Bloomin’ Great<br />
Day Out<br />
Tentsmuir NNR<br />
Fife<br />
Come and join the reserve manager for a day <strong>of</strong><br />
fun for all the family on the beach at Tentsmuir,<br />
followed by the ‘Puppet Lab’ show.<br />
Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01382 553 704<br />
Sunday 11<br />
Reptile Walk<br />
Flanders Moss NNR<br />
Stirling<br />
Join reserve staff in the cool <strong>of</strong> the morning from<br />
9am to 11am when the reptiles aren’t quite so<br />
fast. Spend some time looking for lizards and<br />
adders on and near the boardwalk. Booking<br />
essential.<br />
Tel: 01786 450 362<br />
Sunday 11<br />
Alpine Secrets<br />
Corrie Fee NNR<br />
Angus<br />
Meet at the Glen Doll ranger base and spend the<br />
day (11am to 4pm) on the reserve discovering the<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> its wildlife.<br />
Tel: 01575 550 233<br />
Sunday 11<br />
Fun Day<br />
Muir <strong>of</strong> Dinnet NNR<br />
Grampian Highlands<br />
Meet at the visitor centre for games, crafts and<br />
activities for all the family from 12 noon to 6pm.<br />
A storyteller and a face painter will be on hand<br />
to entertain.<br />
Tel: 07733 303 175<br />
Wednesday 14<br />
Row, Row, Row<br />
Your Boats!<br />
Muir <strong>of</strong> Dinnet NNR<br />
Grampian Highlands<br />
Come for a splash about and adventure with<br />
Mandy Tulloch <strong>of</strong> ‘Mud Pies’ fame. Suitable for<br />
2- to 5-year olds. Meet at the visitor centre for<br />
sessions from 11am to 12 noon and from<br />
1pm to 2pm. Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 07733 303 175<br />
Sunday 18<br />
Family Fun Day<br />
St Cyrus NNR<br />
Aberdeenshire<br />
Meet at the visitor centre for games, activities,<br />
a treasure hunt and storytelling for all the family<br />
from 12 noon to 4pm.<br />
Tel: 01674 830 736<br />
Saturday 24<br />
Edibles and<br />
Medicinals<br />
Muir <strong>of</strong> Dinnet NNR<br />
Grampian Highlands<br />
Long before supermarkets and pharmacies,<br />
people had to feed and doctor themselves with<br />
the plants around them. Meet at the visitor centre<br />
and find out which plants they used from<br />
2pm to 4pm. Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 07733 303 175<br />
Sunday 25<br />
Run, Jump and<br />
Explore<br />
St Cyrus NNR<br />
Aberdeenshire<br />
Come for an adventure and discover some<br />
wonderful wildlife with Mandy Tulloch <strong>of</strong> ‘Mud<br />
Pies’ fame. Suitable for 2- to 5-year olds. Meet<br />
at the visitor centre for a session from 10am to<br />
11.30am. Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01674 830 736<br />
46<br />
Sunday 25<br />
International<br />
Travellers<br />
Loch Leven NNR<br />
Tayside<br />
Meet reserve staff at Findatie car park and join<br />
a guided walk from 2pm to 4pm. Discover the<br />
secrets <strong>of</strong> Loch Leven’s long-distance travellers,<br />
including swallows, sand martins and house<br />
martins. Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01577 864 439<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
August<br />
Monday 2<br />
Tuesday 3<br />
Saturday 7<br />
Thursday 12<br />
Tuesday 17<br />
Friday 20<br />
Monday 30<br />
Guided Walks<br />
Knockan Crag NNR<br />
Sutherland<br />
Join our geologist guide and explore one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s top Earth science sites. Discover<br />
how forces deep within the Earth can cause<br />
great masses <strong>of</strong> rock to slide up and over much<br />
younger rock.<br />
Tel: 01571 844 000<br />
Tuesday 3<br />
Osprey Walk<br />
Loch Leven NNR<br />
Tayside<br />
Meet reserve staff at Burleigh Sands car park<br />
and join a guided walk looking for ospreys from<br />
6pm to 8pm. Discover more about these amazing<br />
birds <strong>of</strong> prey before they head south for winter.<br />
Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01577 864 439<br />
Sunday 8<br />
Doggies’ Day Out<br />
St Cyrus NNR<br />
Aberdeenshire<br />
Join reserve staff and a council dog warden for a<br />
doggies’ day <strong>of</strong> fun! Discover how to get the best<br />
out <strong>of</strong> the reserve with your dog and test his or<br />
her skills at agility. Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01674 830 736<br />
Tuesday 10<br />
Osprey Walk<br />
Loch Leven NNR<br />
Tayside<br />
Meet reserve staff at Burleigh Sands car park<br />
and join a guided walk looking for ospreys from<br />
6pm to 8pm. Discover more about these amazing<br />
birds <strong>of</strong> prey before they head south for winter.<br />
Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01577 864 439<br />
Saturday 14<br />
Bats in the Glen<br />
Corrie Fee NNR<br />
Angus<br />
Meet at Glen Doll ranger base at 9.30pm to look<br />
and listen for bats. Bring a torch!<br />
Tel: 01575 550 233<br />
Sunday 15<br />
Meet the Wardens<br />
Flanders Moss NNR<br />
Stirling<br />
Come along from 1pm to 4pm and meet reserve<br />
staff on top <strong>of</strong> the viewing tower. Chat to the<br />
wardens about wildlife on the reserve, including<br />
hen harriers and geese.<br />
Tel: 01786 450 362<br />
Sunday 22<br />
Bog Crafts<br />
Flanders Moss NNR<br />
Stirling<br />
Meet at the boardwalk and take a walk round to<br />
collect materials for creating some craft items.<br />
Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01786 450 362<br />
Sunday 29<br />
Fungi Foray<br />
Muir <strong>of</strong> Dinnet NNR<br />
Grampian Highlands<br />
Join the expert for a guided walk to explore<br />
the reserve’s fascinating fungi. Meet at the<br />
visitor centre and discover some weird and<br />
wonderful facts about fungi from 2pm to 4pm.<br />
Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 07733 303 175<br />
September<br />
Thursday 2<br />
Thursday 9<br />
Guided Walks<br />
Knockan Crag NNR<br />
Sutherland<br />
Join our geologist guide and explore one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s top Earth science sites. Discover<br />
how forces deep within the Earth can cause<br />
great masses <strong>of</strong> rock to slide up and over much<br />
younger rock.<br />
Tel: 01571 844 000<br />
Sunday 12<br />
Paws for Thought<br />
Corrie Fee NNR<br />
Angus<br />
Bring your dog and join the ranger from 2pm to<br />
4pm to discover more about your responsibilities<br />
as a dog owner as part <strong>of</strong> the Scottish Outdoor<br />
Access Code. Meet at Glen Doll ranger base.<br />
Tel: 01575 550 233<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 47
Events diary 2010<br />
September<br />
Wednesday 15<br />
Area Evening<br />
Reception<br />
Montrose<br />
Angus<br />
All welcome (please check SNH website or with<br />
local Area <strong>of</strong>fice to confirm venue and timings).<br />
Saturday 18<br />
Fungal Foray<br />
St Cyrus NNR<br />
Aberdeenshire<br />
Join the expert for a guided walk to explore the<br />
reserve’s fascinating fungi. Meet at the visitor<br />
centre and discover some weird and wonderful<br />
fungal facts from 2pm to 4pm.<br />
Tel: 01674 830 736<br />
Sunday 26<br />
Meet the Wardens<br />
Flanders Moss NNR<br />
Stirling<br />
Come along and meet reserve staff on top <strong>of</strong> the<br />
viewing tower. Chat to the wardens about wildlife<br />
on the reserve, including hen harriers and geese.<br />
Tel: 01786 450 362<br />
Sunday 26<br />
Fungi Forays<br />
Loch Leven NNR<br />
Tayside<br />
Join the experts on walks around Loch Leven in<br />
search <strong>of</strong> fungi. Meet at Findatie car park and<br />
discover some weird and wonderful fungal facts<br />
from 2pm to 5pm. Booking essential.<br />
Tel: 01577 864 439<br />
48<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Inspired by nature<br />
Do you have a cracking image <strong>of</strong> the<br />
wonderful wildlife and landscapes <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> or a great story or poem about<br />
a wild encounter? If the answer is ‘yes’,<br />
then we want to hear from you, as we plan<br />
to print some <strong>of</strong> the best entries in future<br />
issues <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
This is your chance to have one <strong>of</strong> your images, stories or<br />
poems published for all to see, so search out your best<br />
efforts and send them in. You can email your words or<br />
photos to editor@snh.gov.uk<br />
Remember to include your name, where you live and brief<br />
details <strong>of</strong> any pictures submitted. If you’re sending in photos<br />
that have children in them, then we need written permission<br />
from a parent or guardian <strong>of</strong> each child in the picture.<br />
By way <strong>of</strong> inspiration, here are a few images. <strong>The</strong> first<br />
(above) was the winner <strong>of</strong> last year’s Scottish Biodiversity<br />
Week photography competition, and came in from Gordon<br />
Rae <strong>of</strong> Lockerbie under the title ‘Between day and night’.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other two images, <strong>of</strong> a ptarmigan and a mountain<br />
hare in the Monadhliath mountains, were sent in by<br />
Colin Richards, who’s one <strong>of</strong> our readers in Bridgend,<br />
South Wales.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 49
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
sea monster<br />
50 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
1<br />
Basking sharks are<br />
seasonal visitors to<br />
Scottish coastal<br />
waters. <strong>The</strong>y’re mainly<br />
seen on the west coast<br />
in summer, and<br />
sightings peak around<br />
August.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 517
2<br />
Basking sharks were once<br />
hunted widely around<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, but since 1998<br />
they’ve been a protected<br />
species. Now, researchers have<br />
found two ‘hotspots’ <strong>of</strong>f <strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
west coast that are highly important<br />
for the sharks, as Colin Speedie<br />
reports<br />
2<br />
Hunting basking shark<br />
around Arran, 1770.<br />
3<br />
Basking sharks are<br />
active all year round. In<br />
winter, they move to<br />
depths <strong>of</strong> up to 900m<br />
to feed on deep water<br />
plankton.<br />
<strong>The</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> the west coast <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong> have<br />
long been home to the basking shark, the world’s<br />
second largest fish. Shoals <strong>of</strong> them usually arrive<br />
early in the summer, when they can <strong>of</strong>ten be seen<br />
swimming at the surface, feeding on the rich<br />
supply <strong>of</strong> tiny plankton that bloom then. This habit<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘basking’ at the surface not only makes the<br />
sharks highly visible, but was also responsible<br />
over the centuries for making them vulnerable<br />
to hunting.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first written accounts <strong>of</strong> the basking shark in Scottish<br />
waters come from the 1760s, when the country’s first<br />
recorded shark fishery operated from the island <strong>of</strong> Canna<br />
in the Inner Hebrides. Locals hunted the sharks from small<br />
boats using hand-held harpoons. Although this fishery<br />
proved unpr<strong>of</strong>itable, it was soon followed by others, all the<br />
way from Shetland to Arran in the Firth <strong>of</strong> Clyde. <strong>The</strong> hunters<br />
were after oil from the shark’s liver, which can form up to a<br />
quarter <strong>of</strong> its body weight. This was highly valued at the time,<br />
being used mainly as lamp oil, but also serving as a balm for<br />
aching limbs.<br />
Shark hunting continued on and <strong>of</strong>f over the following<br />
two centuries, before increasing greatly in the period<br />
between the 1930s and 1950s. Large numbers <strong>of</strong> shark<br />
were present, and hunters from the Firth <strong>of</strong> Clyde and the<br />
Sea <strong>of</strong> the Hebrides set sail in pursuit <strong>of</strong> the liver oil. It was<br />
now much in demand as an oil for fine-grade machines and<br />
aircrafts, being sold for high prices on the world market.<br />
However, this hunting bonanza ultimately ended in<br />
failure. <strong>The</strong> scarcity <strong>of</strong> sharks, the changeable weather<br />
and falling oil prices all played a part, although some fairly<br />
terrible business decisions also contributed. Many <strong>of</strong> the<br />
hunters – most notably the celebrated nature writer Gavin<br />
Maxwell – left highly readable accounts <strong>of</strong> their adventures,<br />
including valuable information on the key hunting grounds<br />
that they revisited many times.<br />
52 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
www.snh.gov.uk 53<br />
3
Survey work<br />
Fifty years later, and with the shark by now a highly protected<br />
species in <strong>Scotland</strong>’s waters, the country’s wildlife trusts set<br />
up a basking shark project to survey the same waters that<br />
the hunters had found so productive. Would the sharks be<br />
found in significant numbers, and would there still be key<br />
sites focused on the areas where the hunters pursued the<br />
big shoals? Statistics for the northeast Atlantic recorded that<br />
81,639 sharks had been taken throughout the area between<br />
1952 and 2004 – a severe onslaught on a scarce creature.<br />
Five years <strong>of</strong> surveys along set routes, totalling some 956<br />
hours <strong>of</strong> actual survey time, yielded a variety <strong>of</strong> results. In the<br />
historically important area <strong>of</strong> the Clyde Sea, we saw very few<br />
sharks at the surface. It was disappointing to find that only<br />
one small area, around Ardlamont Point, produced anything<br />
more than random sightings. But the Sea <strong>of</strong> the Hebrides<br />
was a different matter entirely. We saw sharks throughout<br />
the area, and at two sites we recorded remarkably high<br />
numbers <strong>of</strong> sharks on a regular basis.<br />
Interestingly, the first <strong>of</strong> these sites was around Canna,<br />
where the hunting story began. Between Canna and the<br />
Hyskeir lighthouse to the south, we recorded nearly three<br />
sharks per hour <strong>of</strong> survey, which was a remarkably high<br />
success rate. At the second site, around the island <strong>of</strong> Coll,<br />
we recorded nearly two sharks per hour. At both sites,<br />
the sharks were consistently engaged in what’s believed<br />
to be courtship behaviour, where groups <strong>of</strong> animals swim<br />
closely together, <strong>of</strong>ten touching each other. <strong>The</strong>y were<br />
also breaching – leaping clear <strong>of</strong> the water – which is<br />
also thought to be connected to courtship. Moreover, we<br />
recorded big shoals at both sites – 50 at Hyskeir and a<br />
shoal <strong>of</strong> 73 at Coll. As a result, we classed both <strong>of</strong> these<br />
sites as basking shark ‘hotspots’.<br />
Now that the shark is protected, the days <strong>of</strong> hunting are<br />
over. But that doesn’t mean that these gentle giants are out<br />
<strong>of</strong> harm’s way, as incidents from other sites around the UK<br />
have shown. This is especially true when the sharks are at<br />
their most vulnerable to human impact – swimming at or<br />
near the surface. Sharks can become tangled up in fishing<br />
nets or creel ropes, for example, or run the risk <strong>of</strong> being hit<br />
or disturbed by boats. Fortunately, there was little evidence<br />
<strong>of</strong> the former during the survey, but a number <strong>of</strong> sharks did<br />
show fresh evidence <strong>of</strong> colliding with boats, all <strong>of</strong> them close<br />
to the Coll hotspot.<br />
4<br />
1<br />
54<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Visitor favourite<br />
Happily, hunters <strong>of</strong> a different kind now<br />
seek out the sharks. <strong>The</strong>y’ve become<br />
a key element in <strong>Scotland</strong>’s vibrant<br />
ecotourism industry, highly popular with<br />
visitors and film crews from around<br />
the world. <strong>The</strong>refore, commercial<br />
ecotourism operators are now<br />
encouraged to attend ‘WiSe’ training<br />
courses (www.wisescheme.org),<br />
which recommend safe and sustainable<br />
methods <strong>of</strong> shark watching.<br />
<strong>The</strong> courses promote use <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching<br />
Code (see www.marinecode.org/<br />
scottish-marine-code-g.asp), with<br />
specific advice on being aware <strong>of</strong><br />
shark activity around the hotspot<br />
sites. SNH have developed leaflets<br />
and water-resistant maps aimed at<br />
pleasure craft that might visit these<br />
highly important sites. <strong>The</strong>y have simple<br />
recommendations on keeping a careful<br />
look-out and safe speed, for the safety<br />
<strong>of</strong> not only the shark but also the boats<br />
and people on board.<br />
So, history has now turned<br />
full circle. We can still enjoy the<br />
remarkable sight <strong>of</strong> a huge shoal <strong>of</strong><br />
these leviathans <strong>of</strong>f the west coast <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>, and close to the site where<br />
they were first exploited. And thanks<br />
to the conservation measures that are<br />
in place, we can have some assurance<br />
that this will always be the case, with<br />
future generations still being able<br />
to enjoy the basking shark where it<br />
rightfully belongs.<br />
Rough guide to<br />
basking sharks<br />
<strong>The</strong> basking shark is the second largest fish in<br />
the world, after the whale shark. It can reach up<br />
to 12m in length and 7 tonnes in weight, so it’s<br />
as big as a bus!<br />
It’s found in all the world’s temperate oceans.<br />
This is the biggest wild animal to visit Britain<br />
regularly, but it’s slow moving and harmless to<br />
humans.<br />
Recent satellite tracking research has shown<br />
that the shark generally moves in to deeper<br />
water during winter, although tagged basking<br />
sharks have also made long-distance migrations<br />
into unexpected areas.<br />
In one case, a shark tagged near the Isle <strong>of</strong><br />
Man crossed the North Atlantic, surfacing <strong>of</strong>f<br />
Newfoundland. And in another study, a shark<br />
tagged <strong>of</strong>f Florida in the United States moved to<br />
the south, crossing the equator <strong>of</strong>f Brazil.<br />
Basking sharks feed mainly on millions <strong>of</strong> tiny<br />
shrimp called plankton. As the shark swims<br />
along, seawater passes through its huge mouth<br />
and leaves through five gill arches, where the<br />
energy-rich prey is filtered out. <strong>The</strong>y’re thought<br />
to be capable <strong>of</strong> filtering over 1,800 tonnes –<br />
enough to fill a swimming pool – <strong>of</strong> water per<br />
hour!<br />
Canna<br />
Coll<br />
4<br />
If you see a basking<br />
shark, you can report<br />
your sighting at www.<br />
mcsuk.org/sightings/<br />
baskingshark.php<br />
<strong>The</strong>y can travel on their own, but they’re social<br />
animals and form groups, usually in small<br />
numbers (three or four) but sometimes having<br />
up to 50 or even 100 individuals.<br />
Basking sharks are slow to reproduce, with<br />
males maturing at around 15 years <strong>of</strong> age<br />
(5.5–7 metres) and females at around 18 to 20<br />
years (8–9 metres). After a gestation period <strong>of</strong><br />
up to 18 months, five or six live ‘pups’ <strong>of</strong> around<br />
1.4–1.6 metres are born. <strong>The</strong>y may live for up to<br />
50 years.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 55
Visit your doctor nowadays and you might<br />
be prescribed some outdoor activity to<br />
improve your health. Ruth Jepson, from<br />
the department <strong>of</strong> nursing and midwifery<br />
at the University <strong>of</strong> Stirling, has been<br />
researching the subject<br />
1<br />
<strong>The</strong> path to good<br />
health will for some<br />
patients involve<br />
outdoors exercise.<br />
2<br />
‘Green exercise’ can<br />
take many forms.<br />
Green<br />
prescriptions<br />
1<br />
56<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
2<br />
It’s now widely agreed that ‘nature is good for<br />
you’, so it makes sense for doctors to prescribe<br />
activities that take place outdoors.<br />
GPs, nurses and physiotherapists in many parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
already prescribe physical activity for a range <strong>of</strong> health<br />
conditions. <strong>The</strong>se ‘exercise referral schemes’ usually focus<br />
on indoor activities, such as swimming or going to the gym.<br />
‘Green prescription schemes’ take it a step further, with<br />
health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals able to prescribe or refer patients to<br />
exercise outdoors. <strong>The</strong>re are lots <strong>of</strong> existing outdoor green<br />
exercise schemes in <strong>Scotland</strong> that could be suitable for<br />
green prescription.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> these are group based (for instance walking<br />
groups, green gyms, gardening projects) and take place in<br />
the local community. <strong>The</strong>y’re supported through a range <strong>of</strong><br />
organisations such as Paths to Health, Trellis and the British<br />
Trust for Conservation Volunteers. People get the chance to<br />
take part in enjoyable outdoor physical activity, and at the<br />
same time they can learn more about their local area and<br />
meet new people. This can also help to reduce feelings <strong>of</strong><br />
being socially isolated and not knowing anyone.<br />
NHS Health <strong>Scotland</strong> and SNH funded research earlier<br />
this year to find out more about the green prescription<br />
schemes that already exist in <strong>Scotland</strong>. <strong>The</strong> researchers<br />
looked at the number <strong>of</strong> green exercise schemes that aim<br />
to improve health, where they are and how they link in with<br />
health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. <strong>The</strong> study came up with over 170 green<br />
exercise schemes in <strong>Scotland</strong>, and 94 <strong>of</strong> them completed an<br />
online survey about their work.<br />
<strong>The</strong> 94 schemes are very diverse, not only in terms <strong>of</strong><br />
size and what they provide, but also the health conditions<br />
they cater for and whether health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals are involved.<br />
<strong>The</strong> target population is most commonly deskbound<br />
people and the general population, although a quarter <strong>of</strong><br />
the schemes target people with mental health problems.<br />
For example, ‘Branching Out’ (a conservation scheme) and<br />
‘Pedal Forth’ (a cycling scheme) are both referral schemes<br />
run for this group.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are two main ways that the schemes link up with<br />
health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. Firstly, some green exercise projects<br />
are directly involved with established exercise referral<br />
schemes. For example, ‘West Lothian on the Move’ is an<br />
exercise referral scheme that includes the option for people<br />
to walk with a group.<br />
<strong>The</strong> other link-up between schemes and health<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals comes through directly communicating and<br />
working with them. ‘Walk Deeside’ works with doctors<br />
and others to provide walks to support a range <strong>of</strong> health<br />
conditions, including diabetes and dementia. And ‘Galloway<br />
Strollers’ is another example <strong>of</strong> a scheme that has a referral<br />
method in place.<br />
Although there are many success stories, some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
schemes had difficulties convincing health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals that<br />
outdoor activities were safe and really would benefit patients.<br />
And health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals are busy people, who may forget<br />
to refer patients on to the activities. Indeed, there’s lots <strong>of</strong><br />
scope for health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals to increase the numbers <strong>of</strong><br />
patients that they refer, and the scheme organisers are keen<br />
for this to happen.<br />
<strong>The</strong> full report is available from www.healthscotland.<br />
com/documents/4225.aspx and SNH has also published<br />
a series <strong>of</strong> health and natural heritage case studies at<br />
www.snh.gov.uk/about-snh/what-we-do/health-andwellbeing/healthier-scotland/green-exercise-projects<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 57
Kids only!<br />
Explore A rock pooL<br />
and SEE what YOU<br />
can find!<br />
Go down to the beach at low tide<br />
and explore the creatures and plants<br />
<strong>of</strong> the rock pools that are exposed<br />
when the tide goes out. You’ll<br />
be able to discover some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
secrets that are hidden in the<br />
world <strong>of</strong> the sea.<br />
Can you find all <strong>of</strong> the<br />
creatures listed below?<br />
Crab<br />
Shrimp<br />
Fish<br />
Jellyfish<br />
Shell<br />
Starfish<br />
Seaweed<br />
Anemones<br />
going on a bug hunt<br />
Have you ever taken the time to look at bugs? <strong>The</strong>y’re amazing creatures that fly, buzz, sting, leap and even light up! A good way to<br />
attract bugs is to put out a peeled banana with brown sugar sprinkled on top. Leave to sit outside for a while, then spread it onto the<br />
bark <strong>of</strong> a tree. Check regularly to see what new bugs you have attracted. Look through a magnifying glass and draw what you see.<br />
Come out at night with a torch and see if there are any newcomers. If you want to take a closer look at a particular bug, put it in a<br />
container with a bottle top <strong>of</strong> water, a stick and some green leaves. (Return your bug to the place you found him within 24 hours.)<br />
58 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
keep cool this summer<br />
Be inspired by your surroundings and make this beautiful fan to keep<br />
you cool during those long sunny afternoons in the garden.<br />
What you need: a piece <strong>of</strong> paper about 1m by 20 cm, two wide lollipop<br />
sticks, PVA glue, sticky tape and coloured pens/pencils to decorate.<br />
Look around you and choose a theme for your design – maybe flowers,<br />
birds or even butterflies! Now decorate the paper by drawing all your<br />
ideas. You could also include words.<br />
Pleat the paper into folds about 1.5 cm wide. Glue a lollipop stick onto<br />
each end <strong>of</strong> the paper. <strong>The</strong> lollipop stick should stick out about 2 cm<br />
above the top <strong>of</strong> the paper. Tape the bottom <strong>of</strong> the fan together.<br />
To open your fan, bring the lollipop sticks all the way round so that they<br />
meet. Now you will be able to keep yourself cool when the sun comes out!<br />
SPLASH!!<br />
This game is best played outdoors on a warm sunny day,<br />
when clothes don’t really matter! It’ll work well if everyone<br />
who takes part is a good sport. With suspicion and shock,<br />
it’s great fun...<br />
You will need: number cards (e.g. six people playing the<br />
game = six cards numbered 1 to 6), a plastic tumbler and a<br />
large bucket <strong>of</strong> warm water.<br />
How to play: Choose one player to be the splasher. He picks<br />
a number without letting anyone else see it. He then fills up<br />
the small container with water, and stands in the centre <strong>of</strong><br />
the other players, who form a circle around him. <strong>The</strong> splasher<br />
faces each person in turn, and the outside players take turns<br />
to shout out a number between one and six. When an outside<br />
player shouts the splasher’s chosen number, the splasher<br />
throws the cup <strong>of</strong> water at them!! SPLASH!!!<br />
worms<br />
are responsible for a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> things that make our<br />
soil good enough to grow<br />
healthy plants, which in<br />
turn provide us with food.<br />
Worms help to increase the<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> air and water<br />
that gets into the soil. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
break down materials like<br />
leaves and grass into<br />
things that plants can<br />
use. <strong>The</strong> worms help to<br />
turn the soil, bringing<br />
down organic matter<br />
from the top and mixing<br />
it with the soil below.<br />
Having worms around<br />
in your garden is a good<br />
sign that you have healthy<br />
soil. If you want to learn<br />
more about a worm’s<br />
importance in our<br />
environment, you can<br />
buy worm farm kits,<br />
which allow you to see<br />
into the wonderful world <strong>of</strong><br />
worms usually hidden underground!<br />
www.snh.gov.uk<br />
59
Sound judgement<br />
A series <strong>of</strong> research projects is under way to<br />
ensure the new marine renewables industry<br />
can exist in harmony with wildlife. Kat Jones <strong>of</strong><br />
SNH’s government relations team reports<br />
1<br />
60 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Imagine living in a world where sound<br />
travels more than four times faster than we<br />
experience and can carry many thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> miles. That’s what life’s like for creatures<br />
living in the sea.<br />
EMEC test site<br />
I’m sitting with Caroline Carter, from the Scottish Association<br />
<strong>of</strong> Marine Science, on the shore <strong>of</strong> Loch Creran, a few<br />
miles north <strong>of</strong> her laboratory at Oban. We’re looking out on<br />
a shale-blue sea, rippled by a light wind blowing from the<br />
opposite shore.<br />
“Sound travels at around 1,500 metres per second in<br />
water,” she tells me, “and the low-frequency songs <strong>of</strong> whales<br />
can be heard from one side <strong>of</strong> the Atlantic to the other!<br />
“For marine mammals, hearing is their key sense,” says<br />
Caroline, who’s in her first year <strong>of</strong> an SNH and Scottish<br />
Environment Protection Agency funded PhD to investigate<br />
whether sea mammals can hear, and therefore avoid, marine<br />
renewable devices.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re’s actually very little information about sound levels<br />
in tidally active and coastal areas, as most <strong>of</strong> the work has<br />
been done in areas <strong>of</strong> deeper water where the military have<br />
been interested in sonar devices,” explains Caroline.<br />
Her research involves sending hydrophones out to drift<br />
with the currents and measuring the noise landscapes<br />
<strong>of</strong> these areas. This will fill in some <strong>of</strong> the gaps in our<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> noise in the marine environment. It should<br />
also help with designing and deciding where to put marine<br />
renewable devices to reduce the effects on marine mammals<br />
to a minimum.<br />
But it’s not just in the area <strong>of</strong> underwater noise that<br />
there’s a lot to discover. We actually know surprisingly little<br />
about our coasts and seas, despite how near they are and<br />
their importance to our economy.<br />
Loch Creran<br />
1<br />
Marine mammals, such<br />
as seals, have an<br />
incredibly keen sense<br />
<strong>of</strong> hearing.<br />
2<br />
Caroline Carter braves<br />
the west coast weather<br />
to position drifting<br />
hydrophones that can<br />
measure underwater<br />
sound.<br />
2<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 61
New discoveries<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s coastline is one <strong>of</strong> the longest in Europe – if it<br />
was stretched out in a straight line it would reach all the<br />
way from <strong>Scotland</strong> to Hawaii. <strong>The</strong> vast scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
coastal and marine resource, along with the obvious<br />
difficulties <strong>of</strong> observing and measuring what’s happening<br />
under the surface <strong>of</strong> the sea, means that we’re still<br />
discovering new species and the way that marine animals<br />
live.<br />
For instance, only four years ago, SNH scientists<br />
discovered one <strong>of</strong> the world’s rarest coral-like structures in a<br />
loch in Morven. <strong>The</strong>se colonies <strong>of</strong> reef-building worms were<br />
previously thought to exist only in Loch Creran and in three<br />
other places in the world. It’s clear that we have a challenge<br />
ahead <strong>of</strong> us to get hold <strong>of</strong> the information we need to<br />
ensure that we choose the best sites for marine renewable<br />
technologies and to minimise their impacts on marine wildlife<br />
and habitats.<br />
“It’s vital that we increase our knowledge <strong>of</strong> the marine<br />
environment if we’re to get marine renewable development<br />
right,” comments George Lees, policy and advice manager<br />
for SNH. “We’re therefore focusing on some <strong>of</strong> the key<br />
questions that will help ensure marine devices can contribute<br />
to a low-carbon <strong>Scotland</strong> while not harming our spectacular<br />
marine wildlife. We have a number <strong>of</strong> research projects<br />
that will help us give the best, scientifically based advice to<br />
government and developers.”<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s a project mapping the use <strong>of</strong> sea space by<br />
seals, basking sharks, whales and dolphins in the Pentland<br />
Firth and Orkney area, where many <strong>of</strong> the tidal turbines will<br />
be installed. Another is reviewing the effects <strong>of</strong> noise from<br />
marine devices on salmon, trout and eels. And there’s also a<br />
review <strong>of</strong> the diving behaviour <strong>of</strong> seabirds and the distances<br />
they travel to find food.<br />
Monitoring is another important strand <strong>of</strong> SNH’s research<br />
work. Projects include surveying marine mammals, fish<br />
and birds in areas where marine devices will be placed,<br />
as well as monitoring wildlife around the EMEC wave test<br />
facility in Orkney. “In all cases, we’re identifying gaps in<br />
our knowledge and trying to ensure that we address them,”<br />
George adds.<br />
Naturally gifted<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> is fortunate in being blessed with a wealth <strong>of</strong><br />
energy from nature. We have 25% <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fshore wind, 10%<br />
<strong>of</strong> the wave and 25% <strong>of</strong> the tidal resources <strong>of</strong> Europe. But<br />
the rate at which we install renewables will need to increase<br />
if we’re to achieve the cuts in greenhouse gases that are<br />
needed to avoid dangerous climate change.<br />
3<br />
62 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
Productive seas<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>’s seas are highly<br />
productive and diverse, supporting<br />
over 8,000 different species and<br />
30% <strong>of</strong> Europe’s breeding seabirds.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y also create huge wind, tidal<br />
and wave energy resources. <strong>The</strong><br />
connection between our renewable<br />
energy resources and the fertility <strong>of</strong><br />
our seas lies in <strong>Scotland</strong>’s unique<br />
geography.<br />
<strong>The</strong> vast ice sheets that covered<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> during the last ice age<br />
carved a highly indented coastline<br />
leaving deep lochs and over 800<br />
islands. This gives <strong>Scotland</strong> a<br />
coastline some 11,800 km long, as<br />
well as some <strong>of</strong> the strongest and<br />
most complex tides in the world.<br />
Water flowing between the islands<br />
and around the headlands restricts<br />
the flow <strong>of</strong> water. This creates fierce<br />
tidal currents and concentrates<br />
fish into distinct areas, producing<br />
important feeding grounds for<br />
seabirds and marine mammals.<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> lies on the edge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
European continental shelf, bearing<br />
the brunt <strong>of</strong> the Atlantic swell and<br />
winds that blow over thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
miles <strong>of</strong> ocean. Winds and waves<br />
can be harnessed to produce<br />
renewable energy, but <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
also sees the benefits in the<br />
nutrients that are brought up from<br />
the deep ocean and in the mixing <strong>of</strong><br />
the waters by waves.<br />
To accommodate this pace, we need new approaches for<br />
looking at the effects <strong>of</strong> renewable devices on marine wildlife<br />
and habitats. Marine <strong>Scotland</strong> are developing an approach<br />
where one or a few renewable devices are installed, and the<br />
effects on the marine environment and wildlife are closely<br />
monitored before the number <strong>of</strong> devices is expanded, or<br />
larger numbers are built elsewhere. Information gathered<br />
from this phased approach with early installations will help<br />
us make better informed decisions on how future devices<br />
should be developed and located.<br />
Many areas with strong tides are also among <strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
richest areas for marine life. This is the case in the seas<br />
around Orkney, where large numbers <strong>of</strong> seabirds and marine<br />
mammals feast on the plentiful marine life <strong>of</strong> the islands.<br />
“Orkney has a number <strong>of</strong> highly important protected<br />
sites because <strong>of</strong> the scale <strong>of</strong> the bird colonies,” explains<br />
George. “We have to speak to the developers during the<br />
planning process in Orkney so that we make sure the health<br />
<strong>of</strong> these sites is maintained. And in locations where several<br />
renewable devices are planned for the same area, then<br />
we have to consider the potential for additional effects on<br />
marine wildlife.”<br />
Sound signatures<br />
Once Caroline Carter has gathered information on the<br />
soundscape in tidal areas, she’s hoping to work with the<br />
marine renewables companies to find ‘sound signatures’ for<br />
their devices. She plans to use these, and her own data, to<br />
check whether marine mammals will be able to hear tidal<br />
stream generators. “<strong>The</strong> developers will also be doing a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> their own monitoring and research around the devices,<br />
which could <strong>of</strong>fer important insights if the results are shared,”<br />
she says.<br />
Marine developers will need to carry out rigorous<br />
monitoring when they put devices in place and will have to<br />
provide the results to Marine <strong>Scotland</strong> and SNH. “We’re<br />
looking for ways to encourage companies to share their<br />
data without affecting their need to keep some things<br />
confidential,” George Lees commented.<br />
Back on Loch Creran, Caroline is talking me through<br />
the huge variety <strong>of</strong> marine devices that are currently being<br />
planned, developed and tested. “No-one knows which will<br />
be successful in commercial terms and each could have a<br />
different effect on the marine environment,” she says. “Some<br />
marine devices could even have unexpected positive effects<br />
for marine wildlife by providing an artificial reef for creatures<br />
that would otherwise have nothing suitable to live on,” says<br />
Caroline. “<strong>The</strong>re are so many unknowns. But that’s what<br />
makes it exciting.”<br />
3<br />
Serpulid reef in Loch<br />
Creran. <strong>The</strong>se are the<br />
best developed reefs<br />
<strong>of</strong> their kind in the<br />
world. <strong>The</strong>y’re a haven<br />
for other marine<br />
wildlife.<br />
www.snh.gov.uk 63
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64 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>
www.snh.gov.uk