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...
Friday, 14 June 2019
As the final weekend of Bike Week approaches, we’ve put together this handy guide to basic bike maintenance. Whether you’ve just bought a bike, if you’re looking for one, or just rescuing one from its winter hiding place, we’ll show you how to check it’s in shape for the summer season. These tips should ensure your bike is operating at its best, ready to get outdoors this summer.
Tuesday, 11 June 2019
At our destinations across Scotland, mountain biking is one of the most enduringly popular outdoor activities. Nothing beats the thrill of an adrenaline-charged downhill dash! Scottish mountain bikers and overseas visitors have a range of different challenges, terrains and organised races to choose from, right in their backyard, from Laggan Wolftraxx near Aviemore and Moray Monster Trails ...
Monday, 10 June 2019
It’s National Bike Week (8-16 June)! There’s no better time to jump on your bike and enjoy Scotland’s great outdoors. Whether you haven’t cycled since you were a kid, or your once beloved bike has lain forgotten in the garage for longer than you care to admit, don't hesitate. Dust off that saddle, polish up your bell and don your helmet, it’s time for a two wheeled adventure!
Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Make the most of the summer sunshine, and find an awesome outdoor adventure for the whole family in Scotland’s forests this June and July. Of course our woodland destinations can be calm and tranquil, but at other times, the forests are buzzing with activity! From international mountain biking competitions to guided camping trips under the stars, to holiday-time activity clubs for younger kid...
Monday, 13 May 2019
Known in Japan as 'shinrin-yoku' which translates as "taking in the forest atmosphere" or "forest bathing" – was developed in Japan during the 1980s. It may sound simple, but forest bathing offers a timeless truth - time spent in a forest and amongst nature reduces stress and promotes a feeling of wellbeing. There is even a healthy body of research supporting the idea...
Friday, 03 May 2019
In 2009, the area around Knapdale forest was chosen for a very special project. The plan was to reintroduce a beaver population into the wild in Scotland, and scientifically monitor their impact on the environment. Thus far, it has been a huge success, providing huge amounts of data about these industrious creatures. The original beavers, brought in from Norway as part of the Scotti...
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
The creation of new agencies, Scottish Forestry and Forestry and Land Scotland, represents the start of a new chapter for forestry in Scotland. It’s a pivotal time in forestry and an exciting one now that forestry is fully devolved to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament and two new forestry agencies have been created.
Thursday, 25 April 2019
A few weeks back, we ran a short story competition inspired by the Neolithic carvings at Achnabreac. These stunning examples of ‘cup and ring’ marks, carved thousands of years ago by our prehistoric ancestors, have always been something of a mystery. We thought we’d ask you, our readers, to provide a few theories about their origins. Well, we weren’t disappointed with the results! With ...
Thursday, 25 April 2019
Our bird blogs are back in action for 2019! Things are already getting interesting, with two eggs delivered by regular Tweed Valley resident osprey Mrs O. and her partner SS, while our beloved Aberfoyle osprey Clarach has also been seen mating with her partner - we’re sharing news from that nesting site on The Lodge’s Facebook page. The mating season is now in full swing, so we can expect mo...
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Last week the John Muir Way, the long distance route running from Dunbar in East to Helensburgh in the West, celebrated its fifth birthday. The lengthy, winding route is named after John Muir, a pioneer of conservation who emigrated from Scotland to America in 1848, aged 10. Muir was part of a group of activists that fought to protect Yosemite Valley in California, and helped to create the world...
Monday, 08 April 2019
'The First Foresters' is a free-to-access learning resource combining an inspirational blend of archaeological discussion, creative indoor activities and practical outdoor learning. The beautifully illustrated booklet links today’s native woodlands, the ancient wildwood of the past and the Neolithic pioneers who ventured into it over 6000 years ago.