Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland SpringSummer2015Issue - 21

Scottish Natural Heritage
Spring / Summer 2015
The Nature of Scotland
One route, many goals

The John Muir Way
Worlds number one

Bass Rock gannets
Natural health service

Green exercise and public health
Contents
Features
10 A tasty theme

Scotlands Year of Food & Drink
12 One route, many goals

John Muir Way update
40
16 From steam to green

Glasgows green transformation
12
22 Having a Blas !

Blas Festival in the spotlight
56
26 Worlds number one

Bass Rock gannet colony is the

worlds largest
22
60
Regulars
2

26
Where we are
SNH contact details
3 Welcome
4

Wild calendar
Where to go and what to see
this spring and summer
20 Dualchas coitcheann

/Common heritage

Linking language and environment
24 News
36 Reserve focus

Glasdrum Wood NNR
48 Area news

Reports from around the country
30 Restoring the Caledonian Forest

25 years of Trees for Life
40 Spanish connections

Working with colleagues in Spain
44 Our natural health service

Linking public health with enjoying

the outdoors
55 Healthy soils for a healthy life

International Year of Soils 2015
56 Scotlands Access breakthrough

Ten Years of the Scottish Outdoor

Access Code
58 Marine strandings

Striving to solve a natural mystery
60 Cut out to succeed

Lisa Hoopers stunning
printmaking
64 Keep in touch

Subscribe to our e-newsletter
Our Scotlands Nature blog covers a wide range of subjects, and recent posts
have featured serpulid reefs, St Cyrus NNR, fossils on Skye and mountain hares.
Follow the blog using the link near the foot of the homepage on our website.
www.snh.gov.uk
Credits
The Magazine of Scottish Natural Heritage
Issue Number 21 Spring / Summer 2015
Published twice per year
SNH 2015
ISSN 1350 309X
Editor: Jim Jeffrey
Tel. 01738 458528
Cover photo: An oak bluebell wood.
Photographer:Lorne Gill
Inside cover photo: Oak leaf detail.
Inside cover photographer: Lorne Gill
Welcome page photographer: Lorne Gill/SNH
Photography all images by Lorne Gill/SNH other than Mark
Hamblin/2020VISION p 4, p33; Ian Mason p6 image 1 in strip; Linda
Pitkin/2020VISION p6 image 2 in strip, p24 left; Laurie Campbell p6 image 3
in strip, p9 image four in strip, p54; Mark Hamblin p8; Laurie Campbell/SNH
p9 large image, p51 left; David Tipling p9 image 2 in strip, p40; Chris
Gomersall/2020VISION p10;P Tompkins / VisitScotland / Scottish viewpoint
p11; Becky Duncan/SNH p15; Stephen Hosey (Glasgow City Council) p16,
18 & 19; Fergus Thom, p22; John Douglass p24 right; Tom Brock / Scottish
Seabird Centre p 28 & 29; Alan Watson Featherstone p32; Danny Green p38
top; Angelo Gandolfi/naturepl.com p 40; Des Thompson p42 left; Peter
Cairns/naturepl.com p 42 right; Jose B. Ruiz napturepl.com p43; Erz Limited
p44; Andy Rouse/ 2020VISION p48 left; Craig Nisbet p48 centre; Caroline
Crawford p49 left; Ewan Lawson p49 centre; Tom Cunningham p49 right;
Sian McQueen p50 centre; Rory Richardson p52 centre; Graham Saunders
p52 right; Neil Mitchell p53 left; Jim Dey p53 centre; Andy McGregor p54
centre; Stef Scott p54 right; Duncan Shaw/Alamy p58; Lisa Hooper p60, 62
left, p63 all; Euan Adamson p62 right.
To share your views about The Nature of Scotland or suggest articles for
future issues please contact the editor:
SNH Magazine
Battleby, Redgorton,
Perth PH1 3EW
Email: editor@snh.gov.uk
The views expressed in this magazine do not
necessarily reflect those of SNH.
Printed by: J Thomson Colour Printers, Glasgow
JTCP15.5k0415
When youve finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Pass it to
another reader or dispose of it at your local waste-collection point.
Where we are
Area offices
You can contact SNH by

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

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

appears on the SNH
website: www.snh.gov.uk
Corporate
headquarters
Great Glen House,
Leachkin Road,
Inverness IV3 8NW
Tel. 01463 725 000
Email: enquiries@snh.gov.uk
Other offices
Perth PH1 3EW
Tel. 01738 444 177
Silvan House,
3rd Floor East,
231 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
Tel. 0131 316 2600
Caspian House,
Mariner Court,
Clydebank Business Park,
Clydebank G81 2NR
Tel. 0141 951 4488
Forth
Silvan House,
3rd Floor East,
231 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
Tel. 0131 316 2600
Forth
The Beta Centre,
Innovation Park,
University of Stirling,
Stirling FK9 4NF
Tel. 01786 450 362
Northern Isles
& North Highland
The Links,
Golspie Business Park,
Golspie,
Sutherland KW10 6UB
Tel. 01408 634 063
Northern Isles
& North Highland
Ground Floor,
Stewart Building,
Alexandra Wharf,
Lerwick,
Shetland ZE1 0LL
Tel. 01595 693 345
South Highland
Fodderty Way,
Dingwall Business Park,
Dingwall IV15 9XB
Tel. 01349 865 333
South Highland
Torlundy,
Fort William PH33 6SW
Tel. 01397 704716
Southern Scotland
Greystone Park,
55/57 Moffat Road,
Dumfries DG1 1NP
Tel. 01387 272 440
Strathclyde & Ayrshire
Caspian House,
Mariner Court,
Clydebank Business Park,
Clydebank G81 2NR
Tel. 0141 951 4488
Tayside & Grampian
Perth PH1 3EW
Tel. 01738 444 177
Tayside & Grampian
Inverdee House,
Baxter Street,
Torry,
Aberdeen AB11 9QA
Tel. 01224 266 500
Welcome
Susan Davies
Chief Executive
Scottish Natural Heritage
As spring bursts into life this issue of our Nature of Scotland magazine provides
some tips on the wildlife and habitats to look out for in the countryside and
around our coasts and seas. Nature is special and fascinating in its own right. Im
particularly pleased that in this edition we are featuring the northern gannet on the
Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. Imprinted on my mind is an early years school-trip
to the Bass Rock and gannets have remained my favourite bird ever since that
experience. I am therefore delighted that recent surveys point to the Bass Rock
being the Worlds Number One for this stunning bird.
Its also important that nature is accessible to as many people as possible.
One way of achieving this is to ensure that we have good quality footpaths and
trails for people to use. In this edition we explore one of these trails the John
Muir Way which passes through numerous urban settings on its 134 mile
route from Dunbar on the east coast to Helensburgh on the west coast. This trail
provides local communities with a range of opportunities for recreation, active
travel and to appreciate their local greenspaces. The leisure activities these
routes support, and the green exercise partnership activity we describe in this
issue, also bring a range of physical and mental health benefits. All of these are
benefits that arise from our Natural Health Service.
Nature has also been long associated with our national culture and identity
through folklore, paintings, poetry, music, film and architecture. In this edition
we look back at the 10th Anniversary of the Blas Festival which celebrates the
connection between people and landscape. 2015 has been designated as
Glasgows Green Year and a range of cultural events will take place during the
year. A number of these, including working with school children to document their
local greenspaces and a temporary water museum installation, are profiled in the
magazine.
I hope you will find lots of articles of interest in this issue. Most of all I
hope that you will feel encouraged and motivated to get out and explore the
extraordinary rich wildlife and habitats that we are privileged to have in Scotland.
Spring
Wild calendar
Kenny Taylor gives some seasonal tips for savouring Scottish wildlife and landscapes
At the melting edge of the snowfield, purple saxifrage is in bloom. In the bare treetops
over the road, rooks are busy at nests. On the hazel bushes, lambs tails of dangling
catkins shed pollen to the breeze. Under the surface of the soil, roots and shoots and
tendrils are stirring. Through it all, from highest tops to lowland deeps, from summit to
city to shore, spring is in motion across land and water. Go out; breathe in.
Teacher a thing or two
Lengthening days work wonders for
songbirds. Gales at spring equinox
could still be buffeting the coast, but on
branches, hedge-tops and fence-wires
across the country, the songs keep
coming.
Now is the best time of year to listen
and learn from this, before migrant
singers arrive to complicate the sound
picture. To get your ear in, as some
birdwatchers say, the great tit is an
excellent focus.
First of all, theres no mistaking its
bold yellow breast and broad black
chest stripe. Look, then listen, and you
could get the measure of its most basic,
two-note riffs that some people hear as
teacher, teacher.
Female great tits pay close attention
to the nuances of male songs and to
how males perform in sing-offs with
neighbouring rivals. They also have a
liking for males with large chest stripes.
So, with care, you might see and
hear some of the ways that your local
great tits differ from each other. And
you could begin to recognise some as
individuals, with their own, distinctive
styles of plumage and calls.

Web tip www.garden-birds.co.uk/
birds/greattit.htm
www.snh.gov.uk
Loving the blues

Primrose, celandine, wood anemone,
bluebell: names that read like a charm
for anyone with a liking for old woods
in spring. Each flower has its admirers
and particular allure. But for many
people, bluebells (aka wild hyacinths) in
abundance hold the very essence of the
season in the lowlands.
Seen when the pastel blue of their
shapely blooms seems more smoke
than solid part plant, part air drifts
of bluebells are like a waking dream.
Scotland is blessed with some excellent
woods to visit if you seek scenes such
as these. Check online resources to
find well-known sites (below), but
also use a bluebell quest as a reason
to explore a whole area, such as the
woods in the valley of the rivers Cree
or Fleet in the south, or those close to
Drumnadrochit, by Loch Ness.
That way, you could strike blue gold,
so to speak, in popular spots, but also
be surprised by chance encounters
with the bonny blues in less publicised
places.
Web tip www.wildlifeextra.com/
go/uk/scotlabluebells.html#crbox
Support a slater
Chances are, theres a stone
somewhere near you with relatives of
crabs living under it. This will still be
true far inland, for woodlice are fairly
common across Scotland.
Theyre crustaceans the group
of creatures that includes crabs and
lobsters, as well as many smaller,
lesser-known species. All have a hard
outer casing to their bodies. Compared
with a shore crab, say, a woodlouse
is tiny. The largest you might see is
the sea slater a giant at up to three
centimetres long that lives on rocky
coasts.
More likely is that youll shift a stone
and see a handful of even smaller,
inland-dwelling woodlice scuttle for
shadowed cover on their seven pairs of
legs. Together with other mini-beasts
such as millipedes, these are part of the
local vegetation recycling crew.
Decaying leaf litter can be a big
part of their diet. But because they
can lose a great deal of body moisture
through their outer covering, woodlice
dont like being active by day and seek
cover in damp, dark places. So support
Team Woodlouse: leave some stones
unturned.
Web tip www.uksafari.com/
woodlice.htm
Spring
Summer
What sounds does this season bring to
mind? What bees buzz through it, what
leaves shake, what shores whisper?
And when you venture into it, will the
way the gulls call as you walk the
tideline, or the stones crunch as you
tackle the hill, stay in memory linked
to the kiss of water on skin, the scrape
of stone on boots? Who can say? Not
even you, until you go there and hear it,
ears open to summers surprises.
Machair makars
When was the last time you saw a
whole field white with daisies and
clover? Or a meadow where orchids
shared the sward with cranesbill, wild
carrot and rue? When you saw all of
these as lapwings and redshank called
overhead?
If you cant recall such scenes
of floral and bird-linked profusion,
chances are youve never visited
Scottish machair in summer. The word
simply means a coastal plain in Gaelic.
Nowadays, its used to describe seafacing parts of the west Highlands and
islands, where wind-blown, shell-rich
sand adds plant-boosting chalkiness to
soils and where traditional grazing of
livestock further ups the fertility.
A key part of this grazing is the
way that crofters and farmers move
animals away from the machair in late
spring and summer, allowing many
kinds of plants to grow and set seed.
Archaeologists reckon that these areas
have supported agriculture for more
than 5,000 years and that parts may
even have been influenced by huntergatherers long before that.
So there are strong human roots
here, even as you breathe in the surface
scents and smile at the sounds of the
here and now.
Web tip www.machairlife.org.uk
Siccar day and sic an age

Scotland has produced many eminent scientists
over recent centuries, but few of such international
significance as James Hutton. Born in 1726 and dying
71 years later, his life and the ideas he developed
during it make a near-perfect match with one of the
most remarkable periods in the life of the nation.
Called the Scottish Enlightenment, and part of a
pan-European revolution in thinking, this was a time
when science, agriculture, industry, commerce and the
arts all blossomed, sometimes through people whose
talents could span many disciplines. James Hutton was
one of them, combining skills as a farmer, physician,
naturalist, meteorologist and geologist.
Its for the latter that he is most renowned as

both the father of the modern science of geology
and the man who first conceived of deep time in the
development of the earth.
Rocks at both Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh and
Siccar Point, on the Berwickshire coast, were crucial to
the way he understood how ancient processes shaped
rock formations over eons. Walk the Berwickshire
Coastal Path, a few kilometres from Cove, to learn
more, and ponder the vastness of it all.
Web tip www.geowalks.co.uk/isiccar.html
Some other things to look for in spring:

Grebes courting; strings of toadspawn; bees out of hibernation;
garlic scent of ramsons in woods.
www.snh.gov.uk
Summer
Martin landings mysteries
Watch out for sea pigs
Goldringer
To some, this dapper black-and-white

bird that plasters mud nests under
eaves seems very familiar. Yet despite
its close links to human dwellings, the
house martin is an international bird of
mystery.
Most basic is that we dont yet know
where house martins spend the winter,
other than that they go somewhere in
Africa, south of the Sahara. Ringers
fit uniquely coded metal bands to
birds legs, in the hope that birds will
be recaptured to discover where they
go. But fewer than one house martin
in every 300,000 ringed in Britain has
been found again in Africa.
Then theres the way they feed:
always in the air, never on the ground.
That makes it hard to study their food
supply, which in turn could give clues
to why house martins have declined
here and many other parts of Europe in
recent decades.
Combine questions such as these
with certainties, such as how they use
a thousand beak-loads of soft mud to
sculpt their nest, and the house martin
is both bird and flying marvel. Time to
give the neighbours a closer look.
Web tip www.bto.org/volunteersurveys/house-martin-survey
Their larger relatives can often dominate

the marine wildlife-watching scene,
but the little guys also merit an ogling.
Often barely 1.5 metres long and
weighing around 45 kilos about
the same as a newborn calf the
harbour porpoise is the smallest of
the cetaceans (whales, dolphins,
porpoises) in European waters.
Compact size can make a porpoise
(sometimes muc-mhara or sea pig in
old usage) tricky to see from a distance.
But porpoise behaviour has some
bonuses for would-be watchers. First
of all, although harbours may not be
popular with porpoises these days, they
do like to move and feed not far from
shore.
So if you take a summer ferry trip
in the Hebrides, for example, dont rush
below deck for a beverage as soon as
the ship leaves port. Stay up on deck
until well clear of land and youll up the
chances of seeing a porpoise.
Next, porpoises breathe at the
surface several times a minute. So their
backs and dorsal fins are likely to show
repeatedly. From a small vessel with a
quiet engine or under sail, you might
even be very, very lucky and hear the
sound of their breathing.
Web tip www.wild-scotland.org.
uk/species/66/harbour-porpoise/
Whirr-click. The dragonfly has landed

on a stem, its silhouette showing fuzzy
in the burn water below. It was the
sound of its wings that attracted your
attention, but now it sits both still and
silent, wings stiffly outstretched in
typical dragonfly pose.
Its the size of the insect and its
colours that fascinate: a body long
enough to span the width of your hand,
should it sit there, toned deep black
with hoops of bright yellow. This is a
golden-ringed dragonfly, the largest of
any you could find in Scotland.
Other insects caught in flight,
including wasps, could be food for this
adult. For most of its life (over three
years before this) it will have lived as
a nymph in the water of a nearby pool.
Here too, it will have been an effective
predator.
Golden-ringed dragonfly nymphs
like to lie half-buried in sand and mud
while they wait for prey, such as fish fry,
to come near. If a possible victim drifts
into range, the nymph fixes its gaze on
the target, then stops breathing. Closer
still, and it strikes to kill.
Whirr-click.
Web tip www.wildlifetrusts.org/
species/golden-ringed-dragonfly
Some other things to look for in summer:

Wood ants active on huge nests; swifts screaming over towns; umbillifers in bloom;
bats flying on warm evenings.
www.snh.gov.uk
A tasty theme
Year of Food & Drink

2015 is the latest in a
series of focus years
being promoted by the
Scottish Government.
To celebrate we will be
highlighting Scotlands
natural larder.
This tastily themed year is a
chance to remind ourselves of
the excellent food and drink that
we have available in Scotland.
Throughout the year SNHs
Scotlands Natural Larder
project will reconnect people
with local and natural produce,
as well as encouraging us all to
eat seasonal foods.
This Focus Year will understandably
lean heavily on the tourism and events
sector and a Taste Our Best campaign
will encourage businesses to use
Scottish produce whilst driving up
quality. Moreover, a Food Charter for
Events will help caterers and retailers
to promote healthy, nutritious and
sustainable products at events all over
Scotland.
For tourism and catering
businesses, using the abundant natural
larder of game, seafood, edible plants
and mushrooms, alongside traditional
dishes, is an easy win, providing
something authentically Scottish for
their customers. That could mean
using items as varied as heather honey,
oatcakes, venison, berries and smokies.
10
Scotlands Natural Larder

The aim of the Scotlands Natural
Larder project is to encourage people
to eat natural produce that has been
sustainably harvested or hunted.
Now in its third year, the initiative
raises awareness of what is available
seasonally.
At events across Scotland this year,
there will also be the chance to learn
more about where and how to source
local wild food in season.
Pete Moore, SNHs lead on
Food & Drink, said Wild food recipe
cards, foraging events and cooking
demonstrations on how to handle and
prepare game are only part of this
project, which also offers specialist
demonstrations for hunters and
processors on exemplary ways to add
value to the resource.
Healthy environment
A key focus is helping people
understand the close links between
the health of the environment and
sustainable management.
www.snh.gov.uk
Well be showing how important

well-managed floodplains, watercourses
free from pollution and healthy riverside
woods are to our famous whisky
industry, whose whole existence
depends on clean water and Scotlands
strong environmental reputation.
SNHs partnership with the
British Association for Shooting and
Conservation focuses on sustainable
foods from wildlife management deer,
rabbits, pigeon and geese, for example.
Scotlands Natural Larder aims to
introduce new generations to these
foods and entice people to make more
of fresh, local food in season.
And growing your own food in
a garden or allotment, or spending
time responsibly foraging in woods,
hedgerows and around our coast
has benefits beyond just the edible
ones. The Year of Food & Drink will
emphasise the strong connection
between good diet and good health,
and help everyone to make the most
of the richness of Scotlands amazing
natural larder.
Look out for examples of Year of
Food & Drink 2015 when you attend
events this year. Cairngorms Nature

Festival and the Royal Highland Show
are amongst those already planning
to showcase all thats good about
Scottish fare.
Read more @
www.scotlandsnaturallarder.org
1
Honey, in particular
heather honey, is
enjoying something of
a boom.
2
Scotland is renowned
for the quality and
variety of its seafood.
11
One route, many goals

Just a year old, the John Muir Way is
the young kid on the block. But its
already drawing walkers, cyclists and
horse riders from home and abroad.
Its no surprise that this trail is proving
so popular, as green exercise like
walking and cycling has gained a
lot of attention recently. Its cheap,
healthy and even lowers stress levels.
The John Muir Way stretches 134 miles, or
215 km, across Scotlands heartland, and goes
through more urban parks and woodlands than
any of our other Great Trails. The route runs from
Helensburgh to Dunbar, and walkers and cyclists
can complete the entire route or tackle bite-sized
sections. Either way they could travel along some
beautiful stretches of coastline, sample the Loch
Lomond and Trossachs National Park, or find
themselves passing through historic towns such
as Falkirk, Boness, Kirkintilloch or Linlithgow, not
to mention the city of Edinburgh.
New upland paths
Theres always work going to on to expand and improve
Scotlands Great Trails. The John Muir Way is no exception.
To add even more variety to the route, a new upland path
near Gowk Hill was created on the Helensburgh to Balloch
section in December 2014. An upland path is also being
created through the Kilpatrick Hills between Carbeth and
Balloch, offering an alternative to the existing low-level route.
The John Muir Way was always envisaged as a
peoples route. The path is close by for many of the three
million Scots who live in the Central Belt and it is very
accessible, designed for everyone to enjoy regardless of
ability or experience. Another key aim was to try and help
people connect to, and be inspired by, nature in their own
backyards, as the young John Muir was in Dunbar.
12
www.snh.gov.uk
13
Boness partnership
Doorstep challenge
A narrow, crumbling shore path between Boness and

Blackness was replaced with new coastal defences and a
multi-use path in September 2014. So, whilst the route is
established, there is always room for improvement.
Making an attractive walk through urban settings is
sometimes a challenge. Take Boness for example. On on
part of the John Muir Way here you will find yourself looking
out over the Forth estuary with fabulous views to the Ochil
Hills. Thats a stunning outlook in anyones book. However,
turn around and the backdrop is less attractive industrial
units, yards, high fences and concrete walls.
An art and nature community project in Boness has
been inspired by the new route and is keen to improve the
backdrop. The John Muir Way here is seen as not just part
of a long-distance route, but a valuable asset for the local
community with huge potential to enhance the lives of those
who live near it, with social, economic and environmental
benefits. A partnership between Falkirk Council, Room
8 Studio artists, and SNH is seeking ways to improve
and promote the route through the combined energy of
businesses, the local community and outdoor art. This will
capture the views of local people on why nature and history
are so important to them and the identity of this friendly
town.
Making good use of urban routes is an ethos that fits snugly

with SNHs desire to connect enjoying the outdoors and
public health. There is also a strong sense of wanting
communities to take control of the route in their town or
village; after all, this is a resource which will be on their
doorstep for many years to come.
Enhancing the John Muir Way is all about being aware
of potential. As a flagship project of the Central Green
Scotland Network, the John Muir Way is a great way for
communities all along the route to work together to keep
improving and promoting the use of this exceptional path.
Next time you think of the Way, imagine it as a 134-mile
long linear park offering great countryside, inspiring wildlife
and habitats, and attractive urban areas right along its
length.
One year on, the John Muir Way is clearly one route
achieving many goals.
Find out more at http://johnmuirway.org/

2
SNH, working with Sustrans and

Scottish Canals, is leading work to
improve and expand the network of
long-distance routes and cycleways in
Scotland. Much of this work is through
the National Walking and Cycling
Network project, a priority development
within the National Planning Framework.
14
www.snh.gov.uk
1
The John Muir Way is
ideal for family strolls
as well as end-to-end
walks.
2
The new path between
Boness and Blackness
offers an ideal cycling
route along the coast.
3
One of the most
spectacular parts of
the John Muir Way is in
the hills above Loch
Lomond.
15
From steam to green

Glasgow never stands still for long. From
the birth of the industrial revolution 250
years ago, to its cultural reinvention in the
1990s, the city has continually transformed
itself. Now Glasgow is striving to be a city
at the front of the green revolution
in 2015.
Its now over two years since Glasgow bid to be

European Green Capital for 2015, a European
Commission title which rewards cities striving for
a greener future. Glasgow narrowly missed out on
the title to Bristol; however, at the time of being
shortlisted, made a commitment to deliver a legacy
from the bid, regardless of the outcome, and set in
motion plans to host its first green-themed year.
The Green Capital bid saw the city commended in several
green areas. These included nature and biodiversity
programmes with many new wetland projects, a communityfocused initiative Stalled Spaces and strong local
partnerships including the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic
Drainage Partnership and Sustainable Glasgow.
Two years on from the bid itself, Glasgow has moved
even farther along its green transformation journey.
Setting the bar high
In 2014, Glasgow opened its doors to the world and
delivered one of the most successful and sustainable
Commonwealth Games, setting a high environmental
standard for future events.
Summer saw the launch of the Mass Cycle Hire Scheme
with over 400 bikes for public rent. This has been a great
success as the uptake within the first month was reported
as being more popular than even Londons equivalent
scheme. The city also saw one of its home-grown initiatives,
Stalled Spaces, carried forward by the Scottish Government
and rolled out nationally through Architecture and Design
Scotland with support from Glasgow City Council.
Now Glasgows Green Year will pick up the baton from
the good work started during the Commonwealth Games
and build on existing successes by championing green
messages in existing events.
The plan is to work with partners, such as Scottish
Natural Heritage, RSPB, The John Muir Trust and the Citizen
Science Project Open Air Laboratories Network to
develop and deliver an extended environmental programme,
as well as bringing various events and art installations to
Glasgow.
16
www.snh.gov.uk
17
Green Year monthly highlights

Each month in Glasgows Green Year has a spotlight
topic,, using the themes which characterise a green city
as identified by the European Green Capital Award. This
creates a timetable for the year.
January Improving energy efficiency
February Supporting fair and local
March Becoming climate resilient
April Using water wisely
May Being sound smart
June Reducing waste impact
July Looking after biodiversity
August Using more public and active transport
September Growing a green economy
October Creating quality green spaces
November Improving air quality
December Managing urban water
Greener city, jobs and lives

A good example of Glasgow's Green Year 2015
ambitions is the plan for a new community park to be
created on the site of a former bus park in Camlachie.
Quality greenspaces are vital to a healthy, prosperous and
sustainable city and better use of, and connections to,
Glasgow's greenspaces will provide benefits to communities
across the city.
The year will also see the Museum of Water, a temporary
art installation, going to the Botanic Gardens in April, and
an increased number of community clean-ups organised
through partners Clean Glasgow.
Glasgow City Councils Education Services have joined
in and developed an exciting and ambitious Green Year
schools programme. This kicked off with a green moviemaking competition and will run several outdoor labs looking
at biodiversity, species and water quality, as well as hosting
the citys biggest Green Jobs Fair in Autumn.
Bailie Liz Cameron of Glasgow City Council, and Chair of

Green Year 2015, captured the sense of excitement when
she noted that We hope that we can inspire and encourage
Glaswegians of all ages to get involved with Green Year and
the many green events planned during 2015. We also hope
that during 2015 everyone will try to get out into nature, be
greener and in the process be healthier too.
Glasgow is a forward-thinking city and I hope that
everyone will come on our journey to have a greener city,
greener jobs, greener lives and a greener, better future for
Glaswegians.
Green Year will work with SNH to promote the Simple
Pleasures, Easily Found campaign in Glasgow. Part of that
drive will be distributing leaflets which promote walks and
greenspaces on Glaswegians doorsteps, and working with
local schoolchildren to document with photos the simple
pleasures theyve found in their local parks. All this aims
to remind people that Glasgow is a city with more than 90
parks and green spaces and that these areas are within easy
reach.
With over 50 diverse events and activities planned, the
year is surely destined to be an exciting celebration of a
remarkable citys Dear Green Place title.
To find out more or get involved: visit www.
greenglasgow.com; follow on Twitter: @greenglasgow or
email: greenglasgow2015@glasgow.gov.uk.
1
Cycling continues to
grow in popularity.
2
Glasgow City Councils
Education Services are
backing the 2015
Green Year.
3
The Winter Gardens
were chosen as the
venue to launch
Glasgows Green Year
app and website.
18
www.snh.gov.uk
19
Ruairidh MacIlleathain looks at how many place names are linked to people and
places which are part of the rich folklore of the Gaels.
Na Din a bh aig Deirdre
Dualchas coitcheann
Common heritage
20
S iomadh ainm-ite a dhirich bho thachartas

ann am beul-aithris nan Gidheal, agus tha deagh
eisimpleir de a leithid anns na tr cnuic air a bheil
Dn Deardail (no Dearduil). Tha iad uile ainmichte
airson Deirdre, a bhana-ghaisgeach ainmeil agus,
chanadh cuid, an t a bu bhidhche a tharraing
anail riamh ann an trean nan Gidheal.
Bha am faoinsgeul Deirdre agus Clann Uisnich
aithnichte air feadh Gidhealtachd na h-Alba s na
h-ireann fad linntean mra, agus bidh feadhainn
ga aithris fhathast. Chaidh dreach dheth a
chruinneachadh ann am Barraigh ann an 1867 le
Alasdair MacIlleMhcheil, a fhuair cuideachd dreach
de Laoidh Chlann Uisnich anns an dearbh eilean.
Anns an sgeulachd, tha Righ Uladh dom b
ainm Conachar ag iarraidh Deirdre a phsadh.
Tha i a diltadh agus tha i a gabhail gaol air Naois
mac Uisnich a tha ga toirt air falbh o irinn. Tha
iad a teicheadh a dhAlba cuide ri dithis brithrean
Naoise Aillean agus rdan agus tha iad a togail
tr air mullach cnuic an Dn. Tha grdh mr aig
Deirdre air Alba agus tha luchd-sgrobhadh sheann
lmh-sgrobhainnean a cur faclan milis na beul,
agus i a moladh coltas a chreamha agus gug-gg
na cuthaig.
Mu dheireadh, tha an ceathrar a tilleadh a
dhirinn far a bheil iad uile a faighinn bs. Ach tha
craobhan a fs s na h-uaighean aca, agus tha na
geugan gam filleadh fhin am measg a chile, a
sealltainn mar a tha an gaol eadar Naois is Deirdre
be eadhon an didh bs nan daoine. S e a th ann
ach t de na sr-sgeulachdan againn faoinsgeul
de dhoghras domhainn agus omhaigheachd
iongantach.
Tha na tr cnuic ainmichte mar Dn Deardail
rin lorg taobh Loch Nis aig Inbhir Fharragaig
(comharra-clithe NH 527239), ann an Gleann
Nibheis (NN 127701) agus ri taobh Loch ite faisg
air Taigh an Uillt (NN 018324). S e Dn Ligh a th
air na mapaichean airson an fhir mu dheireadh, ach
bidh muinntir an ite ga cheangal ri Deirdre agus
Clann Uisne. S iad d ite eile le ceangal lidir
don sgeulachd Gleann Masain agus Gleann D
Ruadhail ann an Comhghall.
Deirdres Forts in Scotlands

Landscape
It sometimes surprises non-Gaelic speakers to
find out how many places in Scotland are named
for people and events which might only ever have
existed in the collective imagination but which
became part of the rich folklore of the Gaels.
Among them are at least three hills called Dn
Deardail (or Dearduil) the fort of Deirdre, named
for perhaps the greatest, and certainly the most
beautiful, of the Gaelic heroines of Scotland and
Ireland. Deardail is a Scottish form of Deirdre (or
Deirdire).
The great legend, Deirdre and the Sons of Uisne
was recounted in homes the length and breadth of
the Gaelic lands for centuries, and is still told today.
A version was collected on the Isle of Barra in 1867
by the avid folk-collector Alexander Carmichael, as
was a version of the Lay of the Children of Uisne.
In the story, the beautiful young Deirdre comes
to the attention of the King of Ulster, who seeks
her hand. She rebuffs him and falls in love with
the handsome Naois, son of Uisne, who agrees to
take her away from her native Ireland. Along with
his brothers Aillean and rdan, Naois and Deirdre
flee to Scotland and build a tower on a hill (the
Dn). Deirdre loves Scotland, and writers of ancient
manuscripts have her praising the wild garlic and
the sweet voice of the cuckoo. But she and the
young men are convinced to return home by a
messenger from the King of Ulster. There they suffer
tragic deaths, although trees growing from their
graves demonstrate, by their branches intertwining,
the love of Naois and Deirdre that even death could
not destroy. It is one of our great legends a story
of terrific passion and powerful imagery.
The three locations where a Dn Deardail is to
be found are on Loch Ness-side near Inverfarigaig
(grid reference NH 527239), in Glen Nevis (NN
127701) and on Loch Etive-side near Taynuilt (NN
018324). The last is given on the map as Dn Ligh
but is known locally for its connection to Deirdre.
Other places in the Loch Etive area are also linked
to Deirdre and the Sons of Uisne, as are Glen
Massan and Glendaruel in Cowal.
Dn Ligh, Loch Etive
www.snh.gov.uk
21
Having a Blas !
At last autumns Blas Festival there was a powerful
celebration of the eternal link between people and the land.
2014 marked the 10th

Anniversary of the Blas Festival.
Set up originally by Highland
Council, the festival is now a
major Celtic celebration featuring
both internationally known
and popular local traditional
music. Pete Moore and Alastair
MacGugan of Scottish Natural
Heritage reflect on another
successful festival.
Working in partnership with the Blas

Festival, we supported the 2014 Blas
commission; Miorbhail nam Beann (the
Wonder of the Hills) a celebration of
the work of Donnchadh Ban (Duncan
Ban McIntyre). Illiterate, yet immense in
the songs he composed, Donnchadh
Ban was an Argyll-based Gaelic bard
of the late 1700s. His nature poems
highlight his connection and feeling
for the hills of Argyll and provided the
catalyst for the 2014 project.
Iain Macfarlane (ex Blazin Fiddles)
agreed to stage the performances
and he formed The Donnchadh Ban
Boys a formidably talented group of
traditional musicians including Ewen
Henderson, Ewan Robertson and
Hamish Napier. He also brought to
the team a namesake; Brigadier Iain
Macfarlane, whose native Argyllshire
Gaelic brings a masterful voice to the
rendition of Donnchadh Bans greatest
poem, Moladh Beinn Dobhrain.
and death. Both winter and summer

are alluded to with nature providing
the deer with rounded cloaks of fat to
see them through the winter it would
build them up in times of hard weather.
There is no grieving but a sense of
forward momentum. Ultimately there
are no beginnings and ends, just cycles
and rhythms.
Miorbhail nam Beann was launched
at SNHs Inverness headquarters
at Great Glen House in September
and toured to another four venues
in the Highlands and Argyll. It was
even successfully transferred to
the internationally respected Celtic
Connections in January, and forms
the basis of our work celebrating the
connections between Scottish culture
and the land.
There is a sense of a timeless natural

rhythm of nature in Moladh Beinn
Dobhrain; a structure based on pibroch,
references to seasons, and the flow of
life and death. Death is an integral part
of the poem with references to hunting
deer, but this is not seen as an end,
only as a natural part of the cycle of life
The Miorbhail nam Beann CD, featuring

a selection of songs by the Donnchadh
Ban Boys and a full recording of
Moladh Beinn Dobhrain is available
from SNH. Contact
pete.moore@snh.gov.uk
The real value of land
Scotland has a rich and diverse

landscape, used and appreciated in
Connecting wildlife, people and
different ways. And whilst todays
culture
Beinn Dorain is arguably different
from the early 1700s, in so much as
Moladh Beinn Dobhrain (In Praise
people now have different needs from
of Beinn Dorain) is an epic by any
the land, the poem reminds us that
standard, imbued with an inherent
we can both use and look at the land.
sense of the connections between
We can appreciate its beauty and its
wildlife, people and culture. It shows
wilderness, as well as living from it.
an instinctive understanding that we
However, to do this we need to see
depend upon the land and nature for
ourselves as a part of nature rather than
our wellbeing; that if we nurture the
separate from it. So, have we become
land and work with, it then it will nourish disconnected from nature? Possibly,
us. Nature is seen as a store and is
or perhaps we are in the process of
praised for its lushness. There is both
forming connections of our time.
a utilitarian and an aesthetic connection
Land is not a source of limitless
with the land.
giving and we all need to work with
nature to ensure that it can provide for
Celebrating connections
us now and into the future.
The Donnchadh Ban

Boys at Druim Liaghart,
Donnachadh Bans
boyhood home, playing
one of the specially
composed tunes.
22
www.snh.gov.uk
23
NEWS
Active Cairngorms
Work carried out by SNH in partnership with Salford

University has shown that great crested newts are native to
the Highlands and are genetically different from their cousins
in the rest of Britain. Its thought that they became isolated
about 3,000 years ago due to changing climate and habitats.
To date work has focused on what their habitat needs are,
and whether these are different from elsewhere in their
range.
The newts appear to be doing well but there is concern
that some of the populations have become isolated from
each other leading to a risk of them dying out.
Our Policy & Advice Officer, John McKinnell, leads on
a project with Tony Seymour of Farm Environmental and
Richard Lockett of Lockett Agri-environmental, creating
around 25 ponds in areas where we believe great crested
newts may have bred in the past.
Active Cairngorms promotes healthy

lifestyles through being active in the
outdoors, whilst also ensuring that
recreation does not impact negatively
on special species and habitats.
Whether its cycling to school,
walking the dog, horse riding or
climbing a mountain, its important that
all these things are possible and can
be enjoyed in the Cairngorms National
Park, while the special environmental
qualities are protected.
Recreation and Access Manager
at the Cairngorms National Park
Authority, David Clyne, explained: We
want Active Cairngorms to make a
difference to everyone living in and
visiting the Cairngorms National Park,
from walking to school to offering a
high-quality outdoor experience for
visitors. Our work in developing this
outdoor access strategy can influence
changes in behaviour that can last a
lifetime and help people live healthier
lifestyles.
Since the Park was set up in 2003,
679 miles of Core Paths have been
designated, and, since 2006, 7.5
million has been spent on paths, and
more than 2,000 health walks have
been delivered. But Active Cairngorms
isnt just about paths to walk and
cycle on its about managing
outdoor access effectively by working
with estates and rangers to ensure
responsible access to land and water,
which doesnt impact on species
and habitats, or interfere with land
management practices.
Golden-hair lichen on
the enchanted isles
A team of lichenologists working on the

Shiant Islands 6km off the Isle of Lewis,
recently discovered a number of rare
lichens.
One of these, the golden-hair lichen
(Teloschistes flavicans), has not been
seen in Scotland since the 1830s
when it was last recorded on the
gannet colony at Ailsa Craig.
Once fairly widespread in southern
Britain, this species has undergone
a dramatic decline and is largely
Figures issued by the Met Office reveal that 2014 was
restricted to a few coastal sites in
Scotlands warmest-ever year on record.
south-west England and western Wales.
This further evidence of climate change has implications
The Shiants record is the most northerly
for several species. For instance some populations of
world record for this species.
Arctic char may decline as waters warm up, likewise
A small tuft was initially found on the
several species of moss and liverwort in the Cairngorms
ground amongst wet heath on Eilean
are currently found at the edge of their natural range and
an Taighe (House Island). This was an
there is a high chance that rising temperatures will see them
unusual habitat for this species and it
decrease in number.
was probably a blow in from suitable
Climate change is recognised as one of the biggest
habitat elsewhere. So the hunt was on.
challenges for Scotland's nature and landscapes. Along with
After several days searching it
a warming climate, sea levels have risen, extreme weather
was found growing on steep maritime
events have occurred and there is evidence that rainfall
slopes and cliffs at two separate
patterns are changing. This is happening now, and how we
locations on the island to the north,
choose to respond will affect not only individual species
Garbh Eilean (Rough Isle).
and our distinctive landscapes, but also our lifestyles, our
This find further highlights the
economy and our culture.
importance of Scotland as a truly
But it isnt all bad news. Species such as the nuthatch
special place for these fascinating
and bee orchid are spreading further north.
organisms.
Read more @ http://www.climatexchange.org.uk/
Warmest on record
24
Taking stock of protected areas

Our protected areas have been at the centre of nature
conservation policy for 60 years. Scotland now has a
network of protected areas for nature, ranging from small
patches of orchid-rich grassland to vast tracts of upland
moorland, and from estuary mudflats to remnants of the
Great Wood of Caledon.
In May 2014 we invited an independent panel under
the chairmanship of SNH Board member, Simon Pepper,
to address how the role and purpose of protected areas
might be better developed to secure public benefits within
the context of wider thinking on land use and ecosystem
services. The panel interviewed a range of experts and
stakeholders before preparing its report.
The SNH Board has welcomed the panels report
which offers a reasoned challenge to current practice, and
thoughts on future development of protected areas. We
would, however, like your views on the role of protected
areas and encourage you to contact us with your
suggestions.
Scotland is not alone in looking at this critical issue it
was the focus of the recent Union of Conservation Nature
World Parks Congress in Sydney and our circumstances
may well require a tailored set of solutions or proposals.
We now intend to prepare a series of issues papers picking
up the challenges in the review paper, and to seek wider
engagement in considering these issues.
In the first instance please email any thoughts or
questions to stewart.pritchard@snh.gov.uk
To view the published report visit http://www.snh.
gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/
notices-and-consultations/protected-areas-review/
www.snh.gov.uk
NEWS
Newt news
25
Worlds number one

A recent survey of the gannet colony on the Bass
Rock has confirmed that it is the largest in the world,
as SNHs Mike Thornton explains.
26
www.snh.gov.uk
27
Described by Chris Packham as one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet, the Bass Rock,
in the Firth of Forth on Scotlands east coast, has provided a safe nesting site for the northern gannet
since medieval times. Indeed, the Rock is so closely associated with the gannet (as they are more
commonly called in the UK) that the scientific name Morus bassanus is derived from the Bass Rock.
Up until a century ago, young gannets on the Bass Rock
were harvested for human consumption. The meat was
considered a great delicacy and many birds were shipped
across the water, plucked, stripped of their fat, and boiled in
large vats at Canty Bay on the nearby mainland.
The oil from the gannets was thought to have medicinal
properties, helpful in treating gout and rheumatism, and the
feathers were used for bedding. Many were exported to
markets in southern England and served as a luxury dish. The
gannets became an increasingly profitable resource, and in
1592 one of the first pieces of conservation legislation was
introduced in Scotland, banning the killing of adult gannets
to protect the future of the colony.
Remarkable expansion
The rock has been in the ownership of the HamiltonDalrymple family since 1706, and the current owner, Sir
Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple, works closely with SNH and the
Scottish Seabird Centre to ensure that the best interests of
the birds and the island are met.
Estimates of the numbers of Bass Rock gannets have
been made since the mid-19th century, but the first accurate
count was made in 1969, when 8,977 breeding pairs were
28
recorded during Operation Seafarer.

Current counts are made by photographic aerial survey.
These were initiated in 1984 by Stuart Murray and Sarah
Wanless and subsequently grant funded by SNH, JNCC,
SOC and the Seabird Group. Repeat aerial surveys have
been completed in 1994, 2004, 2009 and 2014.
The most recent aerial survey of gannets in 2014 counted
a staggering 75,259 breeding pairs, which represents a
24% increase since the previous count in 2009, and an
88% increase since 1969. Although many gannet colonies
in Scotland have increased during the second half of the
20th century, the population on the Bass Rock has shown
one of the most rapid growth rates in recent times, with an
average annual increase of 4.3% since 2009.
The 2014 count makes the Bass Rock colony the
largest northern gannet colony in the world, overtaking the
population on St Kilda, which supported 60,290 breeding
pairs in 2013, and Bonaventure Island in Canada with
47,699.
Special Protection Area
Due to the fact that the Bass Rock supports about 15% of
the worlds entire population of breeding northern gannets,
Scottish Natural Heritage recommended designating the

Bass Rock, along with other important seabird islands in
the Firth of Forth, as a Special Protection Area in 1990,
helping to safeguard the population from disturbance and
unsustainable development at their breeding sites. There are
still challenges for gannets and other seabird populations,
beyond their breeding sites, and Scotland has a series of
marine Special Protection Areas, Marine Protected Areas
and Special Areas of Conservation to protect our marine
ecosystems, that include foraging areas for gannets and
other seabirds.
In contrast with other seabird species, such as
black-legged kittiwakes and Eurasian shags, which have
undergone significant population declines since the 1980s,
the gannets on the Bass Rock, as well as at other Scottish
colonies, have bucked this downward trend.
Their rapid population growth is most likely due to a
recovery from the prolonged human persecution, as well
as the foraging habits of the species. Because gannets are
an opportunistic marine predator, feeding on a wide range
of fish, such as mackerel, cod and sandeel, theyre able to
readily switch between different fish prey, thus making this
species less vulnerable to food shortages.
In addition, gannets have enormous foraging ranges
during the breeding season, with some Bass Rock gannets
having been recorded hunting over 500km away, along the
Norwegian coast. The birds are also known to follow fishing
vessels, and the population may well have benefited from
fishery discards, but more research into this relationship is
still needed.
www.snh.gov.uk
Viewing the colony

Although the harvesting of the birds was most likely
responsible for preventing population growth in the past,
gannets still face a number of threats including marine
pollution, overfishing and offshore wind farm development.
The northern gannets return to the Bass Rock from their
wintering quarters in south-west Europe and west Africa
anytime from February onwards, but the best time to view
the colony is between April and early October.
Getting there: The Bass Rock was recently voted Nature
Reserve of the Year by the readers of the BBC Countryfile
magazine. You can either view the colony at the Scottish
Seabird Centre, North Berwick, through remote solarpowered cameras located on the island, or if you want an
even closer look a number of landings are made between
April and October that can be booked through the Scottish
Seabird Centre. There are also daily boat trips that sail from
North Berwick around the Bass Rock which can be booked
through the Seabird Centre and other local businesses.
The author would like to acknowledge the input of Mike
Harris, Stuart Murray and Sarah Wanless to this story.
1&2
The two summer
images on this spread
show gannets nesting
on Bass Rock in 1975
(left) and 2009 (right).

29
Restoring the Caledonian Forest
Trees for Life is an award-winning conservation charity working to restore the Caledonian
Forest in the Highlands of Scotland. Here the charitys founder and Executive Director,
Alan Watson Featherstone, provides a brief summary of what has been achieved during
the past 25 years.
1
30
www.snh.gov.uk
31
2014 was the 25th anniversary

of practical work being carried
out by Trees for Life to help
restore the Caledonian Forest.
Focusing on the native pinewood
remnants to the west of Loch
Ness and Inverness, Trees
for Life began work initially in
1989 by protecting naturallyregenerating Scots pine
seedlings on two private estates
in Glen Cannich.
Our first significant project though

was in Glen Affric in 1990, where, in
partnership with Forestry Commission
Scotland (and with part funding from
SNHs predecessor, the Nature
Conservancy Council), we deerfenced the 50 hectare Coille Ruigh na
Cuileige site, to enable the estimated
100,000 naturally-occurring Scots pine
seedlings there to grow successfully
without being overgrazed. That area, on
the periphery of the Affric pinewoods,
was in serious decline at the time, but
now contains a healthy new generation
of young trees.
3
3
Increased biodiversity
That initial project of natural
regeneration was complemented by
planting trees in areas where the forest
had vanished completely, beginning at
Athnamulloch in Glen Affric in 1991,
again in partnership with Forestry
Commission Scotland. Scots pine
seedlings were planted by volunteers
in an area where pines had grown
relatively recently, in patterns and at
densities that mimic the spacing of
trees in a regenerating woodland.
This site, also protected by a deer
fence, has flourished in the decades
since then, with not only the pines
growing well, but also understorey
plants such as heather and bog myrtle
benefiting from the exclusion of deer,
and providing a dramatic contrast to the
desolate, peat-hag-ridden area outside
the fence.
Those young pines (plus the birch,
rowan and eared willows that have
32
people return time and time again,

because they find the experience so
positive and meaningful, providing them
with the opportunity to make a positive
difference to the land and wildlife in
the Highlands. We also run volunteer
Conservation Days and offer long-term
placements of one to three months
for volunteers at our Dundreggan
Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston.
The purchase of the 10,000-acre
Dundreggan Estate in 2008 marked
a major turning point for the charity,
The value of volunteers
as it provided us with the opportunity
to establish a comprehensive and
From those small beginnings our
integrated long-term forest restoration
work expanded year by year, and by
strategy for our own land. Dundreggan
establishing partnerships with other
landowners, including the National Trust is strategically situated at a biological
for Scotland at West Affric, the RSPB at crossroads where more westerly
Corrimony, and various private estates, species overlap with those that
predominate further to the east, making
we reached in 2012 a milestone of a
it exceptionally rich in terms of its
million native trees planted. Almost all
biological diversity. Over 3,000 species
of this work has been carried out by
have been recorded there to date,
volunteers, as part of a programme of
including 10 that have not previously
Conservation Weeks that take place
been found elsewhere in the UK, and
every spring and autumn.
Thousands of volunteers have taken leading to it being described as a lost
world.
part in these over the years. Many
sprung up there of their own accord) are
now supporting an abundance of insect
life, which, in turn is providing a food
source for birds. Excitingly, this includes
black grouse. Several black cock have
been recorded in the area in the past
three years, and they are on the leading
edge of an expansion of the species
range to the west in Glen Affric, as the
new native woodlands provide an ideal
habitat for them.
www.snh.gov.uk
1
Glen Affric National
Nature Reserve.
2
Volunteers help with
planting.
3
Sawfly larva Nematus
pravus feeding on
dwarf birch. This
species was unknown
in the UK until it was
found in Dundreggan
in 2011.
4
Male black grouse.
5
Trees for Life are
hoping to expand birch
woodland within Glen
Affric.
33
Natural corridor
Dundreggan also provides a unique

opportunity to restore a habitat corridor
of native woodland and scrub from
Glenmoriston over the hills to Glen
Affric to the north, as it includes one of
the largest extents of dwarf birch (a key
part of the montane scrub community)
in the country.
Now, as we begin our second
quarter-century of practical work, our
initiative is entering an exciting new
phase and current projects include:
planting our second million trees by
2018;
the renovation of the Athnamulloch
bothy in Glen Affric, in partnership
with Forestry Commission Scotland,
as a base for our volunteers to
extend the Caledonian Forest farther
west by planting more trees there;
an expansion of our area of work
to sites outwith our traditional
core area west of Loch Ness and
Inverness; and
the launch of a new project focusing
on some of the key wildlife species
in the forest.
Trees for Life has a 250-year vision
for the restoration of the Caledonian
Forest and after the first 25 years of
practical work (10% of the way towards
our goal), we're making good progress,
thanks to the support of our hundreds
of volunteers.
Further reading:
For further information about the work
of Trees for Life visit their website at:
treesforlife.org.uk, where you can
sign up for an e-newsletter, or follow
on Facebook (https://www.facebook.
com/treesforlifeuk) or Twitter
(https://twitter.com/treesforlifeuk).
Alan is the founder of Trees for Life.
His personal blog www.alansblog.org.
uk/ features regular articles and photos
about the ecology of the Caledonian
Forest and the work of the charity.
34
www.snh.gov.uk
35
Reserve focus
Dripping with delights
The trail
Glasdrum Wood NNR clings to the lower slopes of Beinn Churalain and
sits above the northern shoreline of Loch Creran. Woodland, lichens and
butterflies are amongst the highlights of this popular reserve.
The Gulf Stream is responsible
for Glasdrums oceanic climate
with relatively mild winters,
cool summers and high rainfall
all year round. This climate,
combined with the shelter
of the wood, provides ideal
conditions for a great variety
of lichens, mosses, liverworts
and ferns, some of which are
nationally or even globally
scarce. The shelter provided by
the trees also produces suntrap
conditions in the glades, which
are appreciated by a variety of
insects, with butterflies being
the most conspicuous.
36
Ash and oak dominate the woodland

at Glasdrum Wood National Nature
Reserve. But for many it is the space
around these forest giants that makes
this place special. Where sunlight can
penetrate between the trees, smaller
flowering plants take hold and provide
a rich larder for butterflies like the rare
chequered skipper and pearl-bordered
fritillary.
Glasdrum means grey ridge in
Gaelic and this name might very well
reflect the grey of the ash trees that
dominate parts of the reserve. The
woodlands were once an important
economic asset, being harvested to
create all manner of goods (from wheel
spokes to spade shafts) and for feeding
charcoal production.
Amongst the many birds that the
Woodland trail
Parking
Picnic site
Viewpoint
visitor can expect to see in spring and

summer at Glasdrum are the spotted
flycatcher and the song thrush. Golden
eagles are occasionally seen soaring
over the reserve and equally iconic are
the otters that use the foreshore of
Loch Creran. Pine marten, red squirrel
and pipistrelle bat, as well as red and
roe deer, have all been noted on the
nature reserve.
So with a rich broadleaved
woodland, heaps of mosses, lichens
and liverworts and an interesting mix
of birds and mammals, Glasdrums
woodland trail is well worth a visit.
An information board in the car park is

your starting point. This can be a fine
spot to pause, look and listen. A tang
of seaweed might be in the air, or the
earthy scent of damp leaves. You can
gaze down to Loch Creran or uphill to
the sweep of woodland. In spring and
summer this is a fine spot to hear a
range of woodland birds and gulls.
Bench
Footbridge
www.snh.gov.uk
rl
we
Po
Looking to Europe
ine
To Glen
Creran
Balance with bite
Getting a
Glasdrum tan
Heading up hill you will quickly reach a

break in the trees to accommodate an
overhead powerline. This open ground
created by the gap ensures that the
cables are free from vegetation but
also offers a wonderful opportunity
for the range of Glasdrum butterflies
to sun themselves. In summer look
for chequered skippers warming
themselves prior to flight and a range
of flowering plants including bugle,
bluebell, and honeysuckle.
Gorge of
the cascades
Hanging gardens
of Glasdrum
Natural
powerpoint
Tuning In
Lo
ch
Cr
a
er
ine
rl
we
Po
To Creagan Bridge
and A828 to Oban
and Fort William
0
0
metres
yards
200
200
Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2011.

Based on Ordnance Survey mapping. Crown copyright
and database right 2011. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number SNH 100017908.
37
Just before you reach a second

bridge there is a dog-leg to your left
that will lead to a little bit of industrial
history. This short detour takes you to
a platform that was previously used
to make charcoal. Cut trunks of trees
were stacked here and then the bark
was burned to use in the tanning
industry, which turned animal hides into
leather. Great spotted woodpeckers are
sometimes about, and you can see the
holes they drill in the surrounding ash
trees.
4
The Balance with Bite stop is just

above a spot where a conifer stand
once dominated. In the early 1990s we
removed the conifers to let native trees
return. Now birch, oak and rowan are
plentiful. However, we manage spaces
into this woodland too; deer help with
their grazing, allowing butterflies and
insects into the glades.
Essential information
An NNR since 1967, Glasdrum lies
roughly 27 kilometres north of Oban,
just off the A828. Heading north on
the A828, look for a sign just after the
bridge over the mouth of Loch Creran
pointing out Invercreran, and a brown
tourism sign for Glasdrum Wood
National Nature Reserve. Heading
south from Fort William on the A828
look for the signs for Invercreran and
Glasdrum Wood National Nature
Reserve, and take the first exit at the
roundabout. The reserve is open all
year. The nearest public toilets are in
Port Appin and there are picnic tables
at the reserve, a car park and walking
trail.
This stop majors on the sounds of

running water. Gorge of the cascades
lets you see water tumbling and
splashing beneath a bridge; on some
days you might even feel the spray.
Glasdrum is a haven for plants and
fungi that love damp conditions,
particularly mosses, lichens and
liverworts. Amphibians thrive in these
conditions too, and frogs, toads and
newts have made their home here.
6
Our final stop before weaving back to

the car park gives views of beautiful
Loch Creran, which is protected as a
Euorpean Special Area of Conservation.
Gulls, curlew and oystercatcher probe
the seaweed at low-tide, while herons
stand guard around the loch fringes.
Beneath the surface Loch Creran is
home to the worlds largest area of rare
serpulid reefs. Formed by hundreds of
individual tube worms these colourful
reefs provide important shelter for an
array of other marine creatures.
38
1
Glasdrum's
woodlands are almost
uniformly grey in
winter, but come
summer they are a
vibrant sea of green.
2
The pine marten is a
star attraction at this
reserve.
3
Colour and texture
abound in this special
environment.
OS maps
4
The stunning
chequered skipper is
usually on the wing
from around mid-May
until the end of June.
Explorer 376 (Oban & North Lorn)

Landranger 49 and 50 Oban & East
Mull and Glen Orchy & Loch Etive.
Trail
The path here is well defined and
taken in a circular fashion it is easy
to navigate and relatively short. There
www.snh.gov.uk
are several viewpoints to enjoy as the

Nearby attractions
path weaves its way through mixed
woodland. Bridges over some of the
Nearby is the famous Castle Stalker,
tumbling burns are well worth spending great views of which can be had
time on.
from the local nature reserve and the
Jubilee Bridge. The bridge was recently
restored but originally built in 1897
Terrain
to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of
Queen Victoria. From Port Appin it is
Glasdrums trail is built on a firm
only a five-minute ferry journey to the
surface with a few stone steps to
lovely island of Lismore, which is a
negotiate. The start and end of the
popular cycling destination due partly
walk are quite steep. You should wear
good walking shoes or boots, and carry to the close proximity of the nearby
waterproof clothing as the area is noted Sustrans cycling route running from
Oban to Ballachulish. The spectacular
for its high rainfall.
Falls of Lora at Connel can be a popular
draw at the mouth of Loch Etive.
Scottish Outdoor
Access Code
Please follow the Scottish Outdoor

Access Code and local guidance at
the reserve. Please keep your dog(s)
under close control or on a short lead
at sensitive times, such as during the
bird breeding season (April to July),
and comply with any notices you see.
A short lead is taken to be two metres,
and under close control means that
the dog is able to respond to your
commands and be kept close at heel.
Further information
You can contact SNH on 01408
634063. You can also download a
leaflet about the reserve from the
publications section of the SNH
website (http://www.snh.gov.uk).
39
Spanish
connections
Connections between
Scotland and Spain stretch
back many years. However,
recent wildlife and biosphere
projects have created new
alliances, as Des Thompson
explains.
Wow mire que! Thats what drew my attention
to a solitary osprey in an Andalusian wetland
in the company of Professor Miguel Ferrer and
his research student, Virginia Morandini. Quite
possibly, this was one of the ospreys that had
hatched from a nest in Spain belonging to at least
one parent bird donated by Scotland.
Back in 2008, a Scottish female and German male formed
the first pair to breed successfully in the region. Before then
ospreys had ceased nesting in mainland Spain, though were
often seen on migration.
Following major reintroductions from Finland, Germany
and Scotland, there were 13 breeding pairs by 2013. That
was the year in which a further reintroduction took place on
the north Spanish coast near Bilbao, with 12 young birds
taken by Roy Dennis from northern Scotland, and later
released to bolster the Spanish population.
40
www.snh.gov.uk
41
Close cooperation
The group was specifically interested in visiting local

4
businesses, social enterprises and learning about our
Biosphere, with the possibility of developing a formal
partnership agreement. The visit went very well, and the
prospects look good for closer ties.
There are, of course, ancient connections between
Scotland and Celtic Spain, and with our collaborative work
on wildlife and Biospheres we are sure to see the forging of
new alliances. Viva Espaa!
Roy, as it happened, joined Miguel and Virginia shortly

afterwards, planning further work on ospreys. But it was
clear from discussion with Miguel that there are exceptionally
close ties between researchers in Spain and Scotland.
Miguel, I should explain, is something of an ecological
phenomenon. Hes not, incidentally, the famous American
actor who plays villainous roles, but instead the leading
raptor researcher with the Spanish Governments High
Council for Scientific Research.
He has close ties with the Doana National Park, having
been Director of its Biological Station from 1996 to 2000,
with its main claim to fame being his detailed study of
Spanish imperial eagles, for which he now holds more than
130 years worth of data (exceptional by any means for
research on birds).
Miguel has worked tirelessly to reduce the impacts of
electricity powerlines and windfarms on birds of prey in
southern Spain, publishing some joint studies with two
of Britains leading raptor scientists, Ian Newton and Phil
Whitfield.
One of his research papers was awarded the prestigious
Watson Science Prize in 2013, in honour of two of our finest
ornithologists, the late Donald and Jeff Watson, and he has
won many other awards for research and conservation work.
Find out more

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere:
http://www.gsabiosphere.org.uk/
A guide to Doana National Park:
http://www.donanareservas.com/entorno_en.php
Handbook of Birds of the World:
http://www.lynxeds.com/hbw/about-handbook-birdsworld
Conservation status of birds in Spain:
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/userfiles/file/sowb/
countries/Spain2010report.pdf
Roy Dennis work:
http://www.roydennis.org/animals/raptors/osprey/
satellite-tracking/morven/
The monitoring of raptor migration programme:
http://www.fundacionmigres.org/
1
One of Spains special
nesting raptors, the
short-toed eagle, in
habitat reminiscent of
parts of Scotland.
2
Miguel Ferrer and
Virginia Morandini
tracking a Spanish
imperial eagle.
3
Roy Dennis introduced
12 young ospreys from
northern Scotland to
Spain.
4
Urdaibai Biosphere
Reserve, Ria de
Mundaka, Vizcaya,
Spain.
We have joined forces

with Miguel to develop
new work on the health
of raptors in Scotland
Spanish diversity
Spain has the highest number of bird species (563)
recorded in a European country (Scotland comes third),
and the 17-volume Handbook of the Birds of the World,
published in Spain, is the first work to illustrate and detail
every bird species in the world. Spain also has one of
Europes highest concentrations of windfarms, and we have
learned a lot from research there on the siting of turbines to
reduce risks of collision.
Most recently, we have joined forces with Miguel to

develop new work on the health of raptors in Scotland.
Working with Professor Anna Meredith at the Royal (Dick)
School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University, we
will soon be taking on a PhD student to develop tools for
assessing the health of raptor nestlings.
This was prompted by several members of the Scottish
Raptor Study Group commenting that they were puzzled to
find dead chicks showing no signs of injury.
Miguel has carried out exhaustive research on this topic
and published extensively on how the health of raptors at a
very young age can have lasting effects on their behaviour
and ecology. By joining forces with him we should tap into a
lot of experience and expertise on this topic.
Basque Biosphere
This is just one example of joint work on birds. In the south
of Scotland, the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
was approached by representatives from Urdaibai Biosphere
Reserve in northern Spain to look at opportunities for
developing a formal partnership with Scotland. In late
October last year, four people visited us from Urdaibai and
UNESCO in the Basque Region, supported by another two
representatives from Assist Social Capital, funded as part of
a Scottish Government initiative.
42
www.snh.gov.uk
43
Our natural health service
Connecting public health with enjoying the outdoors is a

natural evolution for many working in the environment sector.
It seems that hardly a week
goes by without a news story
proclaiming the health benefits
of being active in the outdoors.
Even apparently quite gentle
activities like a spot of gardening
or walking for 20 minutes a day
can play a part in the prevention
of conditions such as Type
2 diabetes, dementia, heart
disease and depression.
To many of us its common sense.
We get the feelgood factor of being
in the outdoors, enjoying the fresh
air and a sense of being refreshed in
body and soul. Happily, the evidence is
growing about the range of individual,
community and wider social health
benefits of green exercise where
activities like walking and cycling
provide contact with nature and
landscapes.
And theres growing political
recognition too, that our natural
environment is not only an important
economic asset for tourism and jobs,
but also a valuable health-promoting
resource.
Towards a healthier Scotland
Physical activity has been described as
the best buy in public health because
of the contribution it can make to
prevention and treatment of chronic
disease, and in the care and recovery
after an illness. In Scotland, physical
inactivity costs the NHS around 91
million annually and is the secondbiggest cause of mortality, joint with
smoking and just behind high blood
pressure.
44
www.snh.gov.uk
45
The environment sector has a long

history of encouraging people to enjoy
the outdoors, be it in Country Parks,
nature reserves, woodlands, coastal
areas or urban greenspace. And
our access legislation which has
been in operation for 10 years now
means that we have a vast resource of
accessible outdoors for walking, biking,
natural play, or re-connecting with the
simple pleasures of just being in a
natural environment.
Connecting public health with
enjoying the outdoors is a natural
evolution for many working in the
environment sector and the
contribution being made to delivering a
healthier Scotland is acknowledged.
Green Exercise Partnership
The Green Exercise Partnership
comprises SNH, Forestry Commission
Scotland and NHS Health Scotland.
Having come together in 2007, initially
to explore opportunities to raise
awareness of the health benefits
from the outdoors, the focus of the
collaborative work is currently on
demonstrating the health benefits that
exist on the NHS estate literally
the greenspace around hospitals and
healthcare centres that can be used
by patients, staff, visitors and the local
community.
The project is showing how
positive investment in the outdoors can
encourage more use of these settings
and help health boards deliver health
outcomes on the doorstep of NHS
facilities.
46
Pilot projects have also looked at

how best to encourage people using
local healthcare facilities to benefit
from being outdoors. In Dundee,
for example, the council Ranger
Service is helping GP practices
point patients towards local green
exercise opportunities by using online
information.
In the NHS Lanarkshire area, an
innovative partnership is bringing
together health and environment
stakeholders from the public and
voluntary sectors, and adding value
by promoting green exercise and the
rewards it can bring to people whose
health would benefit most.
Did you know ?

71% of Scotlands population
have usable local greenspace
within 6 minutes of their home.
Local and National Park
authorities have prepared Core
Path plans.
There are 15,000 miles of signposted paths and routes across
Scotland.
91% of the Scottish population
now live within 10 miles of one
of Scotlands Great Trails.
Physical activity legacy

In Scotland the physical activity legacy
plan from the Commonwealth Games,
and the related National Physical
Activity Implementation Plan and
Walking Strategy, mean that we are
beginning to see a coordinated effort
to achieve large-scale changes in
behaviour.
Green exercise activities can
motivate people to get more active as
part of daily life and enjoy health and
social benefits. They also represent an
opportunity to save on healthcare costs
in the future.
Its a good news story, and SNH is
delighted to be playing an important
leadership role as an advocate for
Scotlands outdoors: our Natural
Health Service.
1
Demonstrating the use
of hospital grounds for
a range of benefits.
2
At Loch Leven NNR,
volunteering provides
great green exercise.
3
The value of health
walks is well
recognised.
www.snh.gov.uk
47
SNH Area News
SNH Area News
Northern Isles and North Highland
Forth
Correspondents: Tim Dean, Juan Brown, Adam Rose
Correspondent: Sarah Eaton
What a stoater !
Sinatra stars on Noss
Challenges at Loch Fleet
Kippenrait Glen
Penicuik Rangers
New sluice, good news
Victor the Vole heaved a big sigh, Its

one thing after another. Here I am,
a small but very important piece of
Orkneys wildlife and I feel doomed.
There have been mistakes, he
reflected, It wasnt the wisest move
from balmy continental shores to
windswept Orkney; and OK there have
been tiresome Neolithic recipes, pesky
cats and homes under the plough but
weve tried hard. We are well thought
of where would the hen harriers and
short-eared owls be without us? But
now this.
He paused to choose his words
wisely, Ive heard you described as
a killing machine Mr Stoat. You dont
belong here and I dont think Im a
match for you.
Maybe Victor is no match for stoats,
but a recent project by Aberdeen
University has been assessing the
risks not just to Orkney voles but
also its breeding birds, some of which,
notably the vole-dependent hen
harriers and short-eared owls, are of
international and national importance.
Stoats were unknown in the county
until 2010; since then, expansion
has been swift with sightings from
Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay
the presence of a new predator is
naturally a cause for concern.
The study Stoat on the Orkney
Islands assessing risks to native
species was completed in February.
Last summer, on the Shetland island of

Noss, the wardens of this spectacular
National Nature Reserve were joined by
a visitor with a very specific mission.
Stephen Parker was there to work
on the completion of his Masters
degree in Wildlife Documentary
Production from the University of
Salford.
For his dissertation Stephen had
chosen to research, produce, film and
edit a short documentary following the
lives of seabirds found on Noss. The
subjects he chose were guillemots,
gannets and puffins.
Each species presented him
with their own unique set of filming
challenges, but in the end, Stephen
became particularly fond of the islands
puffins as he gathered footage of them
returning with fish, courting and going
about their daily business. Stephen
even named one particular puffin Frank,
after Frank Sinatra, as he was sure that
this colourful character was going to be
the star of his show!
After a month filming on the island,
Stephen edited his footage and
released the film at the end of last year.
The completed documentary
can be viewed on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=zVwPUcRfxWE
Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve

contains a rich mixture of habitats that
support a prolific mixture of plant and
animal species.
There are mudflats teeming with
wading birds, seals and wildfowl, sand
dunes and coastal heathland rich in
wild flowers and butterflies, and Scots
pine woodland with the rare twinflower
as well as osprey nesting in the canopy
above. Whilst all this sounds idyllic,
these habitats are not without their
conservation issues.
Later this year, work will be carried
out by landowner, Sutherland Estates,
to reduce non-native species which are
currently spreading to the detriment
of the native Scots pine. Felling Sitka
spruce, beech and fir will reduce
future regeneration and the works will
also remove rhododendron and some
large areas of gorse. Whilst gorse is
a native species, it can become very
invasive if left unchecked. By controlling
non-natives we will help to promote
regeneration of both Scots pine and
native broadleaves, such as rowan,
birch and holly.
Corsican pine, another non-native
tree found on the reserve, is particularly
susceptible to Dothistroma (red band)
needle blight and so an area of this
species was recently cleared to help
protect the native Scots pine against
catching this virulent fungal disease.
Native woodland plants and animals

are getting a boost at Kippenrait Glen
thanks to SNHs collaboration with
local landowners and users to eradicate
invasive species.
Kippenrait Glen, near Bridge of
Allan, contains ancient wildwood
and is very rich in biodiversity. It has
been designated as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest and also as a
European Special Area of Conservation.
Dense and spreading
rhododendron, snowberry, Japanese
knotweed and giant hogweed were
threatening the woodland biodiversity.
So, after months of planning, habitat
restoration is underway. Work to
remove invasive plants includes a stem
injection technique.
Caroline Crawford, SNH Operations
Officer, said, We want the woodland
to be a place where biodiversity can
flourish and is highly valued by the local
community. Work to clear invasive
non-native plants from the woodland
is ongoing and the cleared areas are
already beginning to colonise with
native woodland plants. Volunteers
have been involved in some of the work
and we are pleased to have been able
to support local teachers in using the
woodland as an outdoor classroom.
Other actions include keeping
fallen and standing deadwood and
looking after the water quality and damp
woodland.
Penicuik Estate in Midlothian has been

awarded a 65,000 grant from SNH
which, over a three-year period, will
enable two recently appointed Rangers
to set up a brand-new Countryside
Ranger Service.
A Ranger Service Visitor Centre
will be based at Penicuik House. The
Estates network of excellent paths
provides many routes for the public to
explore the estate within the designed
landscape with its follies and wonderful
views.
The Ranger Service will run events
and guided walks as well as providing
opportunities for educational and
community groups. It will support
groups, individuals and partners to
carry out physical conservation and
access tasks to improve understanding
of habitat and visitor management on
and around Penicuik Estate.
John OKeefe from SNH said,
Were delighted to support Penicuiks
new Ranger Service. This will give new
options for schools and community
groups to explore the nature on their
doorstep.
The grant meets many of SNHs
funding criteria and the Rangers social
inclusion activities will introduce a
wider range of people to nature and
landscapes, including young people,
people on low incomes and people with
poor physical or mental health.
The installation of a new sluice at

Morton Lochs west loch at Tentsmuir
National Nature Reserve will help SNH
to manage the water levels for the
benefit of birds and other wildlife.
The old spillway was constructed
in 1976. It had become badly eroded
underneath and at the sides and
the concrete base had collapsed.
The sandy sediments of the Morton
Lochs area are easily washed away,
particularly in the inflow and outflow
ditches, so the new sluice needs to be
large and robust enough to last many
years.
Tom Cunningham, Reserve Manager,
said, The new sluice is part of the
way we manage the water levels. By
monitoring the water level of the north
loch and its feeder burn, and monitoring
rainfall, we can manipulate the boards
of the inflow spillway, the two outflows
and the new sluice to keep the water
levels more-or-less in check. The loch
levels have been selected to suit the
bird life and the biodiversity of the
lochs. The west loch is particularly good
for kingfishers.
The new sluice consists of
sustainably sourced oak boards
and four-metre-long steel piles. It
was designed based on advice from
colleagues at Flanders Moss NNR.
48
www.snh.gov.uk
49
SNH Area News
SNH Area News
Argyll and Outer Hebrides
Southern Scotland
Correspondent: Stuart Shaw, Mags Russell.
Correspondents: Paeder OConnell, Chris Miles, Andrew Panter
Wild about Argyll
A woodland home
Managing geese
Land use pilot
Getting wetter
Making a splat
Nature-based tourism is growing in

importance to the tourism industry and
we are supporting an innovative project
in Argyll to make the most of this.
We are joint-funding Argyll and the
Isles Tourism Co-operative to deliver
a pilot project in the Oban & Lorn and
Mid-Argyll areas to provide workshops
and a mentoring programme for local
tourism businesses.

The project aims to help
local tourism businesses become
ambassadors for wildlife and adventure
tourism, and to enable them to help
their visitors experience Argylls
amazing wildlife.
Workshops, held in Oban and
Lochgilphead, explored who wildlife
and adventure tourists are, how to
reach them most effectively, and how to
best serve them. There was discussion
of the unique wildlife and adventure
experiences on offer in the Oban &
Lorn, and Mid Argyll areas, and the best
way for a visitor to experience these.
Following the workshops, every
participant will be visited at their
premises by a wildlife and adventure
tourism agent to discuss their business
and receive personal advice about how
to promote nature to their guests.
Twenty-six pupils have taken to the

woodlands of Taynish National Nature
Reserve to capture and celebrate
the wonders of the ancient Atlantic
oakwoods through photography, poetry,
exhibition and installation.
During the late autumn and winter
months, Ashfield and Tayvallich Primary
Schools explored the woodlands of
Taynish NNR with their teachers and
Argyll artist, Sian MacQueen.
Sian said; This has been an
excellent partnership with the schools,
the Argyll NNR Team and The John
Muir Trust. It has given me the chance
to explore new materials with the
children in helping create their visions
of what the reserve means to them.
The poetry and photography the pupils
have created are exceptional and it is
amazing as an artist to be able to work
with such quality imagery from 5 to 11
year olds
Now, in its final phase, A Woodland
Home project will see the pupils
working towards obtaining their John
Muir Awards. They will continue
to explore their own special places
within the Reserve whilst learning
about and creating pieces of art to
work in harmony with the surrounding
environment.
To find out more contact the Project
Manager by email at mags.russell@
snh.gov.uk.
A new three-year pilot project to

manage the greylag goose population
of Lewis and Harris has been launched.
Funding of a co-ordinated shooting
effort will reduce agricultural damage
but maintain a sustainable population of
greylags in the islands.
Similar projects exist on Uist, Coll
and Tiree, and Orkney where rising
populations of greylag geese are
causing significant damage to silage
and other crops.
Since annual counts began on
Lewis and Harris in 2010, the local
greylag population has increased by
more than 45%, and is now estimated
to be a minimum of 5850 birds. SNH
are responding to a request from
the local community to help them to
manage that goose population.
The work will be undertaken
by experienced volunteer shooters
following established best practice
methods, and overseen by staff within
SAC.
The project will also trial the sale of
goose meat under licence to encourage
sustainable use of the carcasses, give
financial benefit and supply a healthy,
protein rich and locally sourced food for
islanders. Recipes are available on the
Scotlands Natural Larder website.
Scottish Borders Council have just

completed a consultation on a pilot land
use framework that it has been working
on for the last two years.
The results will be reported to
Scottish Government, which funded the
study. This is one of two projects (the
other is in Aberdeenshire) to examine
how the Scottish Land Use Strategy
objectives might be translated into
action on the ground.
The Borders Framework has created
an invaluable mapped resource of the
services the land provides to people
and businesses in the Scottish Borders.
Those like farming and forestry are well
recognised and valued but others, such
as slowing flood waters, storing carbon
and sustaining biological diversity, are
less recognised.
By making these visible and
explaining how they all interact, the
study could help identify priority areas
for action that help inform funding and
land use decisions. This could deliver
a more integrated and sustainable land
use pattern in the future to ensure that
where possible land delivers multiple
benefits to meet local, national and
global demands.
This is the first step. If the framework
is to deliver the multiple benefits
desired it will require a new approach
from everyone.
Longbridge Muir is a very large coastal

peatland 6.5 km south-east of Dumfries.
It is part of the second largest surviving
raised mire complex in Britain. A recent
peat depth survey shows some parts of
the site reach 10m.
However, like many bogs, the site
has been subject to historical drainage,
peat cutting and tree planting. In 2001
Forest Enterprise Scotland which owns
the site, undertook restoration as part of
an EU LIFE project.
This cleared the conifers and
blocked some open drains with peat
dams. While this has increased water
retention, water loss through peat
cracks has hindered surface sphagnum
recovery.
To address this, recent work, funded
by the Peatland Action Fund, trialled
different methods of bunding on part
of the site. Bunds of various shapes
and built with non-oxidised (black) peat
are being trialled.
Elsewhere, two linear bunds, one
with a membrane and one with black
peat, have been built along one edge
and a deep central drain blocked by
peat dams. Data loggers and dipwells
have been installed so water table
monitoring will record the changes.
Having a partnership project funding

three officers for the last year is starting
to bring visible benefits for the Galloway
and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. A
communications plan sets out key
messages and a Biosphere brand has
been agreed.
The image chosen, the leaf of a
sundew, is described as a splat on
the refreshed web pages, see http://
www.gsabiosphere.org.uk biospherebrand/. It symbolises the way
communities are joined around the wild
land at the centre of the biosphere.
The Board also approved the use
of a charter to encourage individuals,
schools, communities, businesses
and organisations to sign up to the
Biospheres values and to the following 6
principles:
Help to conserve the natural
resources of the Biosphere
Support the economy to benefit
people and nature
Promote cultural heritage and local
products
Contribute to the health and
wellbeing of the community
Develop knowledge, understanding
and promote research
Raise awareness of the Galloway and
Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
Those that are successful will be able
to use the brand and logo for their own
promotional materials.
50
www.snh.gov.uk
51
SNH Area News
SNH Area News
South Highland
Tayside and Grampian
Correspondents: Ben Layshon, Dominic Sargent
Correspondents: Shona Smith, Sandra Penman, Ewen Cameron
Dredging and dolphins
All-terrain debut
Under the waves
New birdy B&B
Reaching the top
Wildlife spectacle
Dredging can disturb bottlenose

dolphins. In order to minimise any
effects we have commissioned a
short contract that will develop best
practice for dredging in sensitive areas,
especially the Moray Firth Special Area
of Conservation.
Ports and harbours are dredged
to ensure navigable water depth. It
requires a marine licence from Marine
Scotland to do this and we advise
throughout the process.
The potential effects of dredging
can vary according to location, time
of the year and methods deployed.
Dolphins may be affected through
direct injury during disposal, noise
disturbance, increases in sediments or
impacts on their prey.
The contract will collate and
summarise information on dredging
and disposal methods; it will assess
the potential for each method to impact
on the dolphins and it will recommend
how effects can be managed and
minimised. This will help harbour and
port authorities to better understand
the range of mitigation options available
and it will enable us to provide Marine
Scotland with the best and most up-todate advice available.
If you have any questions on the
project please contact ben.leyshon@
snh.gov.uk or telephone 01349
865333
In a first for SNH, South Highland Area

has taken delivery of two electric AllTerrain Vehicles (ATVs).
This move towards further greening
of the vehicle fleet sees a land rover
and quad bike at Creag Meagaidh NNR
and Rum NNR, respectively, being
replaced. The new sit-in ATVs will be
run off excess electricity generated
through the Reserves own hydropower schemes.
The new ATVs are a significant
step forward for SNH. They will
contribute to SNHs commitment to
reducing its carbon emissions and
improving the cost-effectiveness of its
NNR operations, whilst still providing
excellent off-road capability and
impressive load-carrying and towing
capacity. In addition, they can safely
and easily carry two people.
At Creag Meagaidh NNR the
electric ATV is now used on a neardaily basis. Reserve manager, Rory
Richardson, said We are delighted
with our ATV. Its potential for work is
enormous, and the fact that it is a very
green alternative to what we had before
is a huge bonus.
There is a strong likelihood that we
will see electric ATVs being used at
other NNRs.
One of Scotlands most colourful

underwater habitats, maerl beds, are
found in clear shallow waters off the
west coast of Scotland. Maerl is a hard
seaweed forming extensive purple
carpets of twig-like nodules on the sea
bed. It is slow-growing and fragile but is
an important haven for a myriad of other
marine life.
Maerl beds are one of the protected
features of the Wester Ross Marine
Protected Area and recently, the
Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), Flora
and Fauna International and SNH jointly
organised a survey with a drop-down
video system. Locally known but
previously unmapped areas of maerl
around the Summer Isles and the
surrounding area were explored.
The survey was carried out from
a local boat with its skipper and two
crew, with help from SWT and SNH
staff. Several new areas were recorded
and the video footage was studied so
that the information could be used to
shape the future of management within
the Marine Protected Area.
The drop-down video equipment
and support from SNH is being made
available to other communities and
groups wishing to carry out surveys in
their area to get to know the wildlife
under the waves.
The abundant insect life of Loch Leven

attracts feeding sand martins, house
martins, swallows and swifts. Each
summer thousands visit the reserve
where they can be seen flashing above
the footpaths and feeding over the loch.
But only swallows nest on the
reserve. So staff, with the help of
volunteers, wanted to create a suitable
nest site for another of these species
sand martin.
Sand martins nest in burrows on
steep, sandy river banks and sand
quarries. The new nesting wall was
designed and built to recreate this
habitat, but as a more permanent
feature; and as part of the recently
completed trail around the Loch.
Funded by Tayside Biodiversity
Partnership, this collaborative project
between TRACKS and SNH is easily
seen from the Loch Leven Heritage Trail
just south of Kinross.
This summer will be the first season
with the new wall open for business,
so well be watching and waiting
eagerly to see if the birds move into
their new accommodation.
If you want to know more: download
the Loch Leven Heritage Trail App
from the App Store. TRACKS www.
lochlevenheritagetrail.co.uk/ Tayside
Biodiversity Partnership www.
taysidebiodiversity.co.uk/
Forvie National Nature Reserve

reached the top tier for Green Tourism
Businesses when it made the final of
the UK Goldstar awards.
The awards recognise businesses
across the UK which do most to reduce
their impact on the environment and
promote sustainability. The Green
Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS)
was launched 17 years ago and is now
the largest of its kind in the world. Retested every second year, Forvie has
held the Schemes gold standard for 10
years by reducing waste, energy and
water consumption and much more.
Examples include generating heat
and electricity for the visitor centre and
office from ground source heating and
a small wind turbine. Priority is given
to making information available online
and when material is printed, its always
on 100% recycled paper. Rather than
drive to meetings, staff use videoconferencing whenever possible.
Another two of our reserve centres
Muir of Dinnet on Deeside and St
Cyrus just north of Montrose have
also reached gold standard. Why
dont you check them out? As well
as enjoying the fantastic wildlife, you
might get some ideas about how you
can reduce your own impact on the
environment.
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/
www.green-tourism.com/
In the north and east we are lucky to

enjoy one of Scotlands great wildlife
spectacles wild geese that spend
winter with us.
Landing or taking off en masse from
feeding grounds or overnight roosts
is a sight never to be forgotten. Flying
in V-shaped squadrons, their plaintive
honking is a true call of the wild.
Nature reserves across Tayside &
Grampian host them; from Loch Leven
to Findhorn Bay and Muir of Dinnet to
Loch of Strathbeg. Last winter, rangers
at Montrose Basin hit the jackpot;
counting 70,000 pink-footed geese.
But over the last 60 years roosts
have changed a lot. While increasing at
Montrose, at Loch Spynie they declined
from 25,000 to almost zero. All sorts of
things can affect this, such as changes
in agriculture geese feed on stubble
or grass fields. As our climate changes,
its thought that some parts of the
north-east are too warm in winter, so
they stay farther north.
Make sure you see them while
theyre still coming here. Even when
the geese are breeding far away in the
Arctic, theres still lots to see at places
like Montrose Basin.
www.montrosebasin.org.uk
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
52
www.snh.gov.uk
53
SNH Area News

Strathclyde and Ayrshire
Correspondents: Fiona Fisher, Andy MacGregor, John Shelton
Geocachers go batty
Barlosh Moss restored
East End water voles
Geocachers enjoy a sport that involves

finding 'treasure boxes' called caches
that are secreted away in interesting
places in town and country.
With reference to the geocaching
website and preferably the use of a
GPS device, cachers set off to find
caches and then log them. 'Muggles'
are non-geocachers who may observe
the searching pattern of cachers on the
hunt for these 'hidden treasures' which
range from shoe-box down to thimble
size.
Geocachers are very keen on the
countryside and wildlife in general. This
explains why 167 of them, spending
a week at Eglinton Country Park at
a Megacache event in July, took part
in a bat walk along the Lugton Water
guided by a North Ayrshire Council
Ranger.
A bat talk started off the
proceedings followed by the
distribution of ten bat detectors with
instruction sheets. The weather and
the bats were kind and by the end
of the evening everyone had seen or
heard a bat. The common pipistrelle,
soprano pipistrelle and Daubenton's
were positively identified by a mixture
of echolocation frequency, habitat
preference and visual appearance.
A project to restore one of Ayrshires

finest raised bogs is now complete.
Barlosh Moss sits in a basin between
green fields, and is a refuge for bog
plants like cranberry and bog rosemary.
Remarkably, its peat soil measures
more than nine metres deep, making it
one of our deepest bogs.
However, over the last 50 years or
so, a lack of grazing allowed the bog
to become overrun with self-sown pine
and birch trees.
Supported by SNHs Peatland
Action fund, the project has reversed
this decline by removing the several
thousand mature trees growing on the
bog. Overseen by the sites owner,
Gordon Lindsay, a team of contractors
led by William Owen rampaged through
the woodland, turning grown trees to
woodchip in record time.
Given the sites sensitivity, the
rampaging was performed as delicately
as possible, using specially adapted
low ground-pressure machines. Even
so, the ground conditions took their toll,
with vehicles stuck, wheels broken off
and axles bent. Ultimately, the projects
success was down to Gordon and
Williams boundless practicality and
their determination to do a good job.
With plans to reintroduce grazing
and restore adjacent wetland, the future
for this bog looks damp!
In 2008 council pest control officers

responding to a suspected rat
infestation discovered water voles
on a housing estate in the east end
of Glasgow. Since then, further
populations have been discovered in
a variety of urban grasslands in the
area. They have now been recorded
in parks, road verges, vacant land and
gardens all notable for the absence
of open water, which they are usually
associated with. These fossorial water
voles (so called because they spend
more time underground like moles) are
very unusual in the UK.
Finding water voles in this type
of habitat is of particular nature
conservation interest as they are a
threatened species in the UK due
to habitat loss and pressure from
American mink.
We have been working with
Glasgow City Council and the
University of Glasgow to study these
intriguing animals, helping us to
understand their ecology and steer
future conservation efforts. Already the
council have amended their grassland
management to provide additional
habitat for the voles in local parks and
green areas.
More information will be available
later this year when the first stage
of research funded by Glasgow City
Council and the Glasgow Natural
History Society is complete.
54
Healthy soils for a healthy life

Healthy soils are the foundation
for our food, fuel, fibre, and even
medicines. Thats why the United
Nations Food and Agriculture
Organisation earmarked 2015 as
International Year of Soils.
of our use and management of land.

Climate change is arguably the
biggest challenge facing the human
race today, and soils ability to capture
and hold organic carbon will be crucial
in that battle.
Nowhere is this more obvious
than in our vast peatlands which store
The launch was worldwide and
25 times more carbon than the rest
celebrates the value of soil for the
of Scotlands vegetation. If all the
environment and society. Did you know carbon stored in the soils of Scotland
that 95% of the worlds food comes
was released at once this would be
from soil, or that up to half of household equivalent to over 180 times Scotland's
waste could be composted to nurture
annual greenhouse gas emissions.
our soil?
Our soils and their sustainable
Nutrients, biodiversity and carbon
management are fundamental to
improving and protecting our food
Increasingly viewed as the silent ally
production and the ecosystems that
soils also mitigate against the impact of
rely on soil.
climate change by helping to store and
It is easy to take soil for granted
filter our water and provide a natural
but it is a natural resource that is
defence against flooding.
increasingly under pressure from our
Those who manage the land
expanding cities, unsustainable land
understand the importance of knowing
use and, of course, climate change.
your soils and how care of land is our
Soil can easily be eroded, compacted,
legacy for future generations. Soils also
depleted of nutrients, and polluted. The provide sources of water, nutrients, and
best way to tackle these issues is for us the physical support for crops and trees.
to be more aware of the consequences
And there is a greater diversity
www.snh.gov.uk
and number of living organisms in

a spoonful of soil than there is in
our species-rich woodland. Soil
microorganisms and other larger soildwellers are busy transforming the
complex components that form our
soil (dead organic matter, pollutants,
minerals) into elemental forms more
accessible for other plants and
organisms to use.
In Scotland the International Year
of Soils will see a range of events.
Why not follow our Facebook page
to receive regular updates on whats
happening throughout the year.
Further reading at www.fao.org/
soils-2015/en
55
Scotlands Access breakthrough

In February 2005, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
came into operation. Ten years on we invited John Thomson,
Convenor of the National Access Forum, to take a personal
look back on a decade of responsible access.
seek, especially in the enclosed countryside. These require
Who would have thought it? Ten years after the
access provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) a good network of paths suitable for all sorts of differrent
Act came into effect, peace overwhelmingly reigns. users. Encouragingly, and to their credit, all but one of
Given the decades, even centuries, of controversy and
conflict that preceded that legislation, this is remarkable.
Moreover, Scotlands ground-breaking right of
responsible access has been judged successful not just by
access enthusiasts but by the independent panel charged
by the Scottish Government with reviewing the Act. Its
verdict, delivered in May 2014 after wide consultation, was
unequivocal: the new statutory framework should be judged
a considerable achievement that has delivered significant
public benefits and is generally working well on the ground.
Welcoming Scotland
As a result of the legislation, Scotland now enjoys one
of the most welcoming but at the same time most clearly
conditional access regimes in the world. Inevitably the past
decade has seen some probing of its exact scope, with the
precise definition of curtilage being the most obvious issue.
And what constitutes responsible behaviour, as set out in the
Scottish Outdoor Access Code, has predictably required
some elaboration.
But it is heartening that, with the exception of a few
arguably necessary court cases, almost all this refinement
has been accomplished cooperatively and by consensus, not
least through the work of the National Access Forum, with its
tripartite membership of recreational bodies, land managers
and relevant public bodies. Such collaboration has borne
fruit in more detailed guidance on such vexed matters as dog
walking and wild camping.
Of course the right of responsible access will not of itself
create the sort of practical opportunities that most people
56
Scotlands local authorities now have approved core paths

plans. Though not in themselves sufficient to meet the need,
core paths are a vital first step in establishing the necessary
infrastructure.
Enviable access rights
Resources are the key. They are required not just for
investment in infrastructure and its maintenance but for the
management action, including mediation, that is essential
if the inevitable incidents of friction are to be successfully
resolved.
The 6 million budget allocated for capital works under
the forthcoming Scottish Rural Development Programme
is a most welcome contribution but comes nowhere near
meeting the overall scale of the challenge. Doing so is going
to require appropriate prioritisation and funding from a wide
range of sources, with transport budgets being an obvious
mainstream source.
So nirvana has yet to be reached. But ten years on, we
surely have much to celebrate. Not only do we have an
access regime that is the envy of many across the world
and a major asset to Scotlands tourist industry, we also
have a firm basis for pursuing the healthier lifestyles that
as a society we so badly need. And we have a platform on
which to construct the better understanding between the
urban and rural populations that should characterise a wellfunctioning community.
All in all there can surely be no doubt that the right
of responsible access is one of the most fruitful pieces
of legislation to emerge from Scotlands resurrected
Parliament.
www.snh.gov.uk
57
Learning about
marine strandings
For centuries, large marine animals,

including whales, dolphins,
porpoises, seals, sharks and turtles
have stranded around our coasts.
Why animals become stranded is
not always clear. In particular, the
role that human activity may play in
either directly or indirectly causing
strandings remains controversial.
lower down the food chain.

Strandings data also provide useful
ecological information as to the diet
and life history of these animals, helping
us to better understand the feeding
ecology and population dynamics in the
waters around Scotland.
Examining the stomach contents,
a messy process in a large whale, not
only yields unique information about
what they feed on, but also tells us
whether the animal had ingested marine
The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding
litter such as plastic bags or discarded
Scheme (SMASS) was established in
1992, and is based at Scotlands Rural fishing gear. Although ingesting of
marine litter is known to be a problem
College. Funded by the Scottish and
in some regions, we thankfully have not
Westminster governments it monitors
seen much evidence for it in Scotland.
and collates marine animal stranding
Many cetaceans use sound to
data to assess the health of, and threats
echolocate, to forage, navigate and
to, Scotlands marine animals.
communicate, and loud or prolonged
Post-mortem examinations on
sound exposure from natural or
stranded carcases reveal much about
human activities can potentially
not only the immediate cause of death
damage their hearing. This can leave
but also the animals prior health, life
history, diet and contaminant levels. Its individuals acoustically blind at certain
frequencies which could in turn make
a laborious process but this valuable
them more prone to stranding. This
level of detail is often impossible to
is an area of increasing research and
gather in any other way.
Over the past two decades, SMASS concern, given the potential increase
in noise from a variety of human
has recorded over 8000 strandings.
activities such as shipping and offshore
Of these around 1900 of the bodies
were intact or accessible enough to be renewable developments. However,
we have recently developed new ways
autopsied by a veterinary pathologist.
to assess the impact of underwater
Examining these oceanic behemoths
noise on cetaceans; by examining the
is a challenge. The prime aim is to
internal ears of stranded animals using
examine the organs for indications of
scanning electron microscopy we can
disease or other pathology that could
look for evidence of damage.
indicate why the animal stranded.
Dr Andrew Brownlow is a veterinary pathologist

and head of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding
Scheme. Here he explains how post-mortem
examination of stranded marine animals is helping
unravel some of the mystery behind these often
perplexing events.
58
Vital monitoring
The role of people and technology
Samples are also collected and further

examined for evidence of parasites,
bacteria and viruses. This process
helps diagnose acute problems, which
may have led to the stranding, but
also allows us to assess any chronic
diseases and identify any long-term
health issues with these animals.
Looking at the level of toxins
present in a dead animal of this size
is particularly important in the wider
marine context. Some of these animals
are apex predators, feeding at or
close to the top of the food web. So
any issues here can be the result of
accumulation of toxins over many years
from consuming contaminated prey
Modern technology has hugely

improved how we monitor marine
strandings. Thanks to the increased
popularity of smartphones, the quality
of the data reported has improved
substantially over the past few years.
Indeed today a large proportion of
reports are being submitted with
photographs or morphometric
information (e.g. age, sex, length).
This is invaluable as it enables rapid
identification of cases we need to
collect, accurate species identification
and in some cases allows us to exclude
certain causes of death.
Marine strandings continue to elicit
much interest from both the public and
www.snh.gov.uk
scientific community and many of the

underlying reasons largely remain a
mystery. However, it is fair to say that
we are increasing our knowledge and
understand the scale of the issue and
some of the processes far better than
ever before.
Scotlands coastline is a staggering

18,840 km long and includes over
800 islands. This is a lot of coastline
for the only two full-time members of
SMASS to cover, and therefore the
scheme relies on reporting of cases
by the public and a range of groups,
institutions and organisations operating
in coastal areas.
If you find a stranded marine animal, or
are interested in becoming a trained
volunteer to collect samples, SMASS
can be contacted as follows:
phone 01463 243030 or phone
and text to 07979 245893
email to strandings@sruc.ac.uk
Facebook Scottish Marine Animal
Strandings Scheme
Twitter @strandings
If you come across any dead stranded
marine mammal, basking shark or
marine turtle please try to provide the
following information:
location and date found

species or description
overall length
condition of the animal
photographs of carcass
contact details
59
Cut out to succeed

After a career in conservation ended
in redundancy, artist and printmaker
Lisa Hooper moved to the far western
end of Dumfries and Galloway. There
she embarked on a new life, inspired
by the birds and landscape of her new
surroundings.
Lisa became a full-time artist in 2006 following

her relocation to Port William, after working for
17 years for the Countryside Commission and its
successor bodies, mainly in Cheltenham. But she
had always had a strong personal interest in art
which eventually took her to evening classes in
etching in 1991, while she was still a civil servant.
Everything about it completely captivated me from
the start, she recalls the magnificent old presses,
the process of protecting some areas of the plate
and etching others, the smell of the chemicals, the
careful cleaning of the surface of the zinc before
printing. In short, the craft of printmaking had me
in its grip.
In 1998, Lisa bought a press and in 2001 she won an award
which gave her 100 hours access to the print workshops in
Art College. She began to sell work locally, but it wasnt until
she was able to devote herself full time to printmaking that
her new career began to take off.
In Port William she set up a studio in her home and
began to teach herself other types of printing such as
linocut and woodcut. It is now this diversity of technique
which characterises Lisas work. Since then she has
added monotype (printing from an unmarked plastic sheet),
collagraph (printing from a collage) and Japanese woodblock
printing to her portfolio of techniques.
Inspired by nature
Meanwhile her subject matter was changing. Lisas early
prints were inspired by landscapes and buildings, but she
was becoming increasingly interested in uniting her love
of natural history with her artwork and was already a great
admirer of contemporary wildlife art printmakers. Just before
leaving Cheltenham she embarked on a Bird Alphabet,
60
www.snh.gov.uk
61
consisting of several prints, which subsequently won a prize

at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art in 2007. A second
prize a year later resulted in an article in Birds IIlustrated,
following which her reputation began to grow.
The birdlife around her in Galloway is now a constant
source of inspiration. The area is particularly rich in winter
waders and wildfowl at its eastern end, but also has seabird
colonies at the western tip of the Mull of Galloway and even
a gannet colony on the Scare Rocks in Luce Bay.
The print of Pinkfeet Rising was inspired by the flocks of
pinkfoot geese which gather on the Rhins, and the beech
hangers which are very characteristic of that area. It is a
large linocut which was drawn onto floor lino and carved out
of the surface using hand tools. It was then printed in black
using an etching press, and finally hand-coloured. The print
of oystercatchers is a recent multiplate linocut (using four
separate plates) of two oystercatchers refusing to budge
from a rock at Finnarts Bay on the Ayrshire coast, which is
also readily accessible from Lisas home.
on the seaweed-covered rocks just outside St Margarets

Hope on South Ronaldsay.
Repeat success
Lisa is still finding inspiration in new locations. During

October of last year I was lucky enough to visit Islay for
the first time, she recalls, and to witness one of the great
wildlife spectacles the 40,000 or so barnacle geese
which gather there during the winter. Overwhelmed by
the numbers and trying to work out how to capture this
abundance in print, Lisa had the idea of creating a repeat
motif of a small group of geese. After investigating the
principles of tessellation online, she created a linocut of a
number of geese, which she then cut into four, making a
series of tileable plates. The result, Barnacle Geese, Islay, is
reproduced here.
Destination Scotland
Inspired by the patterns of nature, Lisas work is ever
changing.
She is always trying to choose the best technique
Lisas interest in landscape and natural history now takes
to
capture
the
mood of her subjects, with simplicity and
her all over Scotland: There seems to be no point in going
without
sentiment.
A keen exponent of printmaking, she likes
through the hassle of flying when you can just drive north to
to
explain
to
people
the craft and the diligence behind her
so many beautiful places. Orkney has proved to be one such
work;
Printmaking
and
natural history have given me a lot of
destination and much of Lisas recent work is inspired by it.
joy
in
life.
I
hope
that
by
explaining the former and enthusing
The picture of curlews illustrates yet another technique.
about
the
latter
I
will
encourage
others to share in it.
It was made by cutting and adding texture to the surface of a
You
can
see
more
of
Lisas
work
on her website: www.
piece of mountboard. When varnished it was printed like an
hoopoeprints.co.uk
etching plate, by rubbing ink into the surface then removing
There is also a book available about Lisa and her work.
it from the smooth parts of the plate with a soft cloth,
Called
First Impressions, it was published in August 2014
leaving ink in the indentations. This type of print is called a
by
Langford
Press.
collagraph. The birds were standing around in a large flock
62
1
Pinkfeet Rising,
linocut. These geese
graze in fields
surrounded by
beautiful beech trees
on the Rhins of
Galloway.
www.snh.gov.uk
2
Summer
oystercatchers,
multiplate linocut.
3
Lisa at her etching
press in her Port
William Studio.
4
Barnacle geese, Islay,
tessellated linocut.
The barnacles on the
Flats at Gruinart on
Islay are a spectacle
which every
birdwatcher should
witness.
5
Fox, linocut, inspired
by Inuit art.
6
Curlews: this large
collagraph is printed
like an etching and
hand coloured.
63
Keep in touch
We hope you enjoyed this issue of our FREE magazine. We
are moving to ways of letting you keep in touch with our work
that are kinder to our environment, and with this in mind our
subscription list is now closed.
There are a variety of ways to receive news and information
from Scottish Natural Heritage:
Our magazine is available on our website both as a pdf
and an audio version at www.snh.gov.uk
Join the conversation about our natural heritage on
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishNaturalHeritage
Keep up with our news on Twitter @SNH_Tweets
Enjoy our videos at YouTube www.youtube.com/user/
ScotNaturalHeritage1
Follow our Scotlands Nature blog at https://
scotlandsnature.wordpress.com/
Subscribe to our monthly e-news at http://www.snh.
gov.uk/contact-us/online-enquiries-service/
NEWS / FIOS
JANUARY 2015
Follow Scottish Natural
Heritage on social media
using these links
Enjoy the best of Scotlands Natural Larder in

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

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

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

Quality accessible greenspaces on our doorstep are vital
for our physical and mental well-being, and are great places
for learning and local biodiversity. So we were delighted
to see Portlethen Moss Conservation Group recognised
at the recent Nature of Scotland Awards for its design and
creation of a community native woodland in partnership with
Aberdeenshire Council.
read more >>>
64
www.snh.gov.uk
65
www.snh.gov.uk
66

Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland SpringSummer2015Issue - 21

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland SpringSummer2015Issue - 21

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Scottish Natural Heritage

Spring / Summer 2015

The Nature of Scotland

One route, many goals

Worlds number one

Natural health service

12 One route, many goals

16 From steam to green

26 Worlds number one

30 Restoring the Caledonian Forest

You can contact SNH by

Argyll & Outer Hebrides

A full list of our offices

The Nature of Scotland

The Nature of Scotland

Loving the blues

Siccar day and sic an age

Its for the latter that he is most renowned as

Some other things to look for in spring:

The Nature of Scotland

Watch out for sea pigs

To some, this dapper black-and-white

Their larger relatives can often dominate

Whirr-click. The dragonfly has landed

The Nature of Scotland

Some other things to look for in summer:

Year of Food & Drink

The Nature of Scotland

Scotlands Natural Larder

Well be showing how important

events this year. Cairngorms Nature

One route, many goals

The Nature of Scotland

A narrow, crumbling shore path between Boness and

Making good use of urban routes is an ethos that fits snugly

Find out more at http://johnmuirway.org/

SNH, working with Sustrans and

The Nature of Scotland

From steam to green

Its now over two years since Glasgow bid to be

The Nature of Scotland

Green Year monthly highlights

Greener city, jobs and lives

Bailie Liz Cameron of Glasgow City Council, and Chair of

The Nature of Scotland

Na Din a bh aig Deirdre

S iomadh ainm-ite a dhirich bho thachartas

Deirdres Forts in Scotlands

Dn Ligh, Loch Etive

The Nature of Scotland

2014 marked the 10th

Working in partnership with the Blas

and death. Both winter and summer

There is a sense of a timeless natural

The Miorbhail nam Beann CD, featuring

The real value of land

Scotland has a rich and diverse

The Donnchadh Ban

The Nature of Scotland

Work carried out by SNH in partnership with Salford

Active Cairngorms promotes healthy

A team of lichenologists working on the

The Nature of Scotland