Gamekeepers combating one of the most troublesome threats in the countryside have found an ally out of the mouths of babes. Inspecting wader chicks regularly and accurate reporting of findings is proving the best method to monitor tick populations and in turn controlling the spread of Lyme disease to humans and other animals. Golden plover

The risk of wildfires across moorland and grassland in Scotland remains exceptionally high, gamekeepers and estates have said today. The warning comes after a spate of wildfires south of the border, including one on Bamford Moor in Derbyshire’s Peak District on Saturday evening. The fire, which is believed to have been started by a barbecue,

Moorland estates in the Tomatin region have stepped in to supply PPE for NHS workers, donating protective eyewear normally used on shoot days. Members of the Tomatin Moorland Group decided to step up after becoming aware of national shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can protect medical staff from Coronavirus. At this time of

Scotland’s country sports businesses are facing tens of millions of lost income this year if Coronavirus restrictions prohibit visitors from shooting in the country’s glens. However, a green light for activities such as grouse shooting and deer stalking could be pivotal to economic revival in some remote communities. That’s the conclusion from a snapshot survey

Despite alarming population declines across the country as a whole, endangered black grouse are thriving on managed Scottish moorland, with seven estates in the Angus Glens counting almost 900 birds this spring. The population of these birds has increased over the past 15 years in this part of Scotland, although falling elsewhere. Black grouse are

Moorland estates in the Lammermuir and Moorfoot hills have stepped in to supply PPE for Borders NHS workers, donating protective eyewear normally used on shoot days. Members of the Southern Uplands Moorland Group decided to step up after becoming aware of national shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can help stop the spread of

Upland estates and landowners have joined forces to help some of Scotland’s rarest birds to nest and breed. There are now 22 land managers in the Loch Ness area working together to create habitats for rare species such as Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Lapwing. The results have been outstanding, with more birds returning to the

The GWCT has published a new eBook – Moorland Conservationists – The Untold Story. Please see the description below and click the link for direct purchase. This collection of nine case studies aims to raise awareness of moorland conservationists, whose efforts and achievements often go unheard. For these land managers, moorland management is about much

The Easter weekend is usually a time when many of us would be enjoying family days out in the countryside and on the moors. This year, the advice is to stay at home, but rest assured that this precious landscape is alive with flourishing Spring plants, insects, birds and mammals. Scottish moorlands are managed year-round

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) commissioned a survey of 1,000 Scots in March 2020 to ascertain their view of our native heather uplands. The responses reveal that an overwhelming majority of people (92%) associate moorlands with wildlife and 89% associate moorlands with Scotland. Furthermore, almost three-quarters of people (73%) recognise moorland as an