Friday, 06 September 2019
There’s nothing better than escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and getting out into the wild. Crossing some water to get there makes the adventure all the more exciting. There are hidden forest gems and well-travelled trails all across Scotland’s coastline and islands, just a boat-ride away—many more accessible than you might think. The west of Scotland is internationally renowned...
Wednesday, 04 September 2019
On National Wildlife Day, our friend Heart of Argyll Wildlife’s Pete Creech brings us a guest blog on the beavers of Knapdale. Over the summer, they have been busy as... well, beavers! Find out what our Norwegian guests have been up to in the lochs and wetlands of Barnluasgan, and learn more about the different species who inhabit this picturesque woodland. Take it away, Pete! Moving...
Tuesday, 03 September 2019
There are all sorts of creatures living in the forest, and not all of them are easy to spot. You have to keep a sharp eye out when having a look through the undergrowth, or you might miss something! What's more, even the less beautiful forest creatures can tell us unique and fascinating things about our climate, our forests, and their biodiversity. Last week, our colleague Colin Edwards, Biodiv...
Monday, 26 August 2019
Foraging for mushrooms and other wild-growing ingredients is one of the most fun and rewarding activities you can get up to in Scotland's forests. Not only do you get to see and hear all the wonders of the wild woods... you get to taste them as well! As our feature on foraging explains, there are some very important safety considerations to pay attention to when foraging for any wild food...
Tuesday, 20 August 2019
The hunt is on at the wildlife-rich coastal forest of Tentsmuir this August, as staff from Forestry and Land Scotland and Butterfly Conservation Scotland team up to track down the elusive and endangered Lunar Yellow Underwing moth. Over the past decade, the Lunar Yellow Underwing has become exceptionally scarce in Scotland. As far as our experts are aware, Tentsmuir is the moth's sole surviving...
Tuesday, 30 July 2019
When the sun shines, it’s the perfect time to dust off the camping gear, pack up the essentials and herd the family out the front door. Head to the countryside, and spend a night or two under the canvas! After all, what could be better than waking up in the wild? If you’re looking for the perfect place to pitch up in the woods, look no further than our guide to camping (and it's posher cous...
Monday, 15 July 2019
Fancy a stroll along the beach? It’s not just about forests here y’know. Picture glorious sparkling waters, warm sand underfoot and a healthy dose of fresh air in your lungs – it’s the perfect summer day out. Those sunny days are here again, so grab your bucket and spade and get yourself along to one of Scotland’s lovely beaches… pronto! It won't be 'taps aff' weather foreve...
Friday, 12 July 2019
Meet Hannah Humphreys, one of four Careerwise placement students who will be working for Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) this summer, in partnership with Equate Scotland. While studying Environmental Biology at Napier University, about to start her final year, Hannah hopes to gain valuable experience working on a range of applied ecology projects, including surveying deadwood insects...
Thursday, 11 July 2019
With summer in full swing, our three Forest Drives showcase the best that Scotland’s forests and land have to offer, with breathtaking scenery, winding forest trails, glittering lochs and mysterious ruins and castles hidden amongst the whispering trees. Because they are accessible by car, you can see a lot of our Forest Parks on these drives in just one trip, without having to do more walking...
Wednesday, 10 July 2019
Our peatlands can play an important role in tackling today’s global climate emergency. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is doing its bit to reduce the impacts of climate change on a number of fronts – one of these is through restoring our precious peatland bogs. Formed from waterlogged carbon rich, dead and decaying plant material, peatlands are the largest worldwide carbon store. They are h...
Wednesday, 10 July 2019
A forest adventure is often closer than you think. If you’re one of the over 1 million people that call Edinburgh or Glasgow home, you may be surprised to know there are several forests on the doorstep to your city, just waiting to be explored. With recent research suggesting that people who live near and relax in their local woodlands are three times less stressed than their less fortunate ur...
Monday, 01 July 2019
The Iron Age hillfort of Castle Hill above Glentress is probably around 2500 years old, give or take a few centuries. The site has never been excavated and is not the easiest to read on the ground. But from the sky you can see an unusual series of earthworks – an earlier settlement enclosed by two concentric rings of double palisades, followed by a later (and smaller) hillfort with two ban...
Monday, 24 June 2019
Home to the remains of the Antonine Wall, once the northernmost tip of the Roman Empire, Nethercroy Hill is now a World Heritage Site. It's a beautiful spot—a stunning nature spot where butterflies, bats, great crested newts and other species make their homes in lush, wildflower-strewn meadows and ancient woodland. One group of residents arrived more recently, and you are almost sure to meet t...
Wednesday, 19 June 2019
When you're a youngster, the holidays seem to last forever, stretching on and on in a sunlit haze of long evenings and bright, early mornings. The most important thing to do on your holidays, of course, is to make new memories with friends and family... but keeping the kids entertained is always a challenge, especially with the cost of indoor activities in towns and cities. Looking for so...