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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

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