Scotland’s moorlands – be it the heather clad hills that turn purple in late summer, to the vast areas of blanket bog rich in sphagnum moss and cotton grass – are famous the world over and it’s imperative they have a sustainable future. A new report published by Scotland’s Moorland Forum ‘Valuing Scotland’s Moorlands’ (February

9 March 2020 An East Lothian estate holding a prestigious wildlife and conservation accreditation has welcomed Scotland’s Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment to the estate to learn more about their vital work. Mairi Gougeon MSP visited the Hopes Estate in East Lothian on Wednesday 4th March where she was given a tour

A Highland estate is encouraging other land owners to get involved with a ground-breaking Scottish golden eagle conservation project after eagle chicks were donated to the project. As one of the first estates involved in the pioneering South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, Pitmain and Glenbanchor Estate, a 12,000 acre estate near Kingussie, volunteered to

Major changes proposed for the operation of Scotland’s grouse moors have not been economically assessed and could deliver a hugely damaging blow to rural Scotland. Following evidence by members of the grouse moor review group to the Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee today, a joint statement was issued by the British

Around 150 rural workers staged a demonstration in Perth tonight (Tuesday 17 December), protesting against Chris Packham’s ‘relentless drive’ to wreck their livelihoods. The BBC presenter from the south of England – an outspoken critic of field sports – was giving a talk on nature photography at Perth Concert Hall. However, his appearance was met

Estate owners and gamekeepers are stepping up their efforts to help Scotland meet its climate change targets. And as the grouse shooting season draws to a close, rural communities have launched a new ‘#PreciousPlaces’ campaign to highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits delivered year-round by moorland managers. Grouse moors act as huge carbon stores

Demand for Scottish grouse is continuing to rise in the UK, Scandinavia and mainland Europe, as leading chefs champion its use in top restaurants and at home. As Great British Game Week gets underway (25th Nov – 1st Dec), top chefs including Tom Kitchin and Nick Nairn have backed grouse as one of Scotland’s food

Land managers in Scotland have taken a major step forward in the establishment of an evidence-based approach to counting and recording data on mountain hare populations, it was announced today. New training methods and innovative technology will enable conservation bodies to record and assess hare populations and give more sophisticated advice on sustainable hare management.

Rural organisations said a landmark report published today has produced ‘ultimate proof’ of the conservation benefits of grouse moor management. The organisations said the final report on the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project (LMDP) – which studied moorland management for birds of prey and red grouse over 10 years – highlights how game keeping significantly improved

Estates in the East Cairngorms Moorland Partnership (ECMP) are preparing to undertake the second year of mountain hare monitoring using the new methodology published by Scottish Natural Heritage last year. In the last few months of 2018, Balmoral, Invercauld, Mar and Glenavon estates surveyed 10 sites covering a total area of 40 sq km (15.4