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The Herald Scotland
12-07-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's coolest wildlife-spotting adventures to enjoy this summer
Here, we round-up some of the top places to enjoy epic Scottish wildlife-spotting adventures. Otters The hide at Kylerhea on Skye is reputed to be among the best in the UK for spotting otters. Managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, it can be reached via a 1.25-mile (2km) scenic walk, known as the Marine Mammal Trail. As well as otters, the likes of dolphins, porpoises, seals and occasionally basking sharks have been seen in the waters around Kylerhea. It is also great for potentially catching a glimpse of Scotland's largest bird of prey, the white-tailed eagle. Make it a proper land and sea adventure by hopping on MV Glenachulish, the last surviving manually operated turntable car ferry in the world, for the five-minute passage between Glenelg and Kylerhea. The entrance to the latter car park is half a mile up the road from the ferry slipway. Read More: Red squirrels Perthshire is synonymous with red squirrels. Faskally Woods, Killiecrankie, The Hermitage, Birnam Glen and the Black Wood of Rannoch are all excellent for sightings. There is a red squirrel feeding station at Glen Righ near Fort William, with another delight the Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide on the shores of Loch Sunart. Family-friendly hides include The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre at Aberfoyle and Kirroughtree near Newton Stewart. There are a clutch of red squirrel hides in Argyll, including at Benmore Botanic Garden, Glenbranter Forest and Cormonachan Community Woodlands overlooking Loch Goil. The soul-salving majesty and Caledonian pinewoods of Glen Affric and Glenmore Forest Park, near Aviemore, are also renowned as prime red squirrel habitats. Seals A couple of years ago, as I walked along a deserted beach on South Ronaldsay in Orkney, I felt a pair of eyes upon me. A lone seal, bobbing just offshore, was watching curiously. It followed my progress with some interest, variously disappearing below the waves, only to pop up again a few metres further on. It was a mesmerising encounter that I will always treasure. Seals are special to Scotland, not simply because of their abundance in our waters, but because of their strong ties to folklore, from tales of shape-shifting selkies to haunting ballads. The 'big five' list technically refers to the harbour variety, aka common seals, but I also have a soft spot for greys, so we'll give both a nod in this instance. Orkney is a great place to see seals (Image: unknown) Orkney is wonderful for seal-spotting, as is neighbouring Shetland and the Hebridean islands of Mull and Iona. The Isle of May in the Firth of Forth is another gem I can highly recommend, with daily boat trips from Anstruther and North Berwick. Red deer On a list of bucket list species, red deer may not typically get top billing. There are also those, in biodiversity terms, who sometimes regard them as pests. Yet, there is something unfailingly magical about spending time in their presence. The landscapes these splendid beasts inhabit adds to the theatre. Red deer can be found across the Cairngorms National Park, with an estimated 64,000 said to reside in this area alone. Jura, Skye and Rum have decent populations too. Another location to see Scotland's largest land mammal up close is at the Red Deer Range in Galloway Forest Park. Golden eagles Arran is a shrewd choice for anyone looking to do a clean sweep of the big five, particularly those seeking to spy a golden eagle. There are a number of pairs, with Lochranza one such locale where golden eagles are commonly seen. Be sure to keep your eyes to the skies in Glen Rosa too. A Golden Eagle (Image: PA) Red deer are copious across the island, with otters and seals often spotted at Kildonan. According to the VisitArran website: 'Arran doesn't have any foxes, moles, weasels or grey squirrels – but we do have lots of lovely little red squirrels.' Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
New haven for one of UK's rarest mammals to be unveiled in Dumfries and Galloway
The pine marten haven at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre near Newton Stewart will be launched on Saturday. A new haven for a rare mammal will be unveiled near Newton Stewart this weekend. The Vincent Wildlife Trust has been working with Forestry and Land Scotland to create a pine marten haven at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The development, part of the charity's Martens on the Move project, will give visitors the chance to learn about pine martens thanks to a new hide and information boards. And to mark the occasion, the trust and FLS will be offering free guided walks and activities for all ages from 12.30pm on Saturday. Martens on the Move project manager, Dr Stephanie Johnstone, said: 'We are excited to be working with Forestry and Land Scotland in this important location for pine marten recovery in the south of the Scotland. 'VWT and FLS have worked together to support pine marten recovery in Scotland and beyond for many years. Thanks to this partnership and to the National Lottery players, we have been able to create this pine marten haven in Galloway Forest to share the story of this amazing native species with visitors from near and far. 'We've already been engaging and working with local communities and individuals in key areas in southern Scotland to provide new den boxes and to improve habitat for pine martens, which is great news for this recovering species.' Pine martens were once widespread in Galloway but were declared extinct at the beginning of the 20th century. Twelve of the animals were released into the Galloway Forest in the early 1990s and 20 years later, pine marten den boxes began to be installed. The animals are now flourishing in the forest, with the population expanding across Dumfries and Galloway and into Ayrshire. An FLS spokesman said: 'Forestry and Land Scotland has worked with Vincent Wildlife Trust for many years, particularly over the last ten years when the partnership resulted in more than 100 pine martens being translocated to areas in Wales and England. 'We are now delighted to be a part of this new era of pine marten conservation through the Martens on the Move project and we're looking forward to celebrating the launch of the Scottish pine marten haven.'
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Campaigners secure crunch meeting as concerns rage over Strathyre felling plans
The meeting has been called between the main forestry organisation, community groups and councillors after a petition protesting the tree felling plans attracted more than 600 signatures. Concerned campaigners have secured a meeting with forestry chiefs over tree felling plans affecting more than 4,000 hectares of woodland near Strathyre. The Observer reported last week on a petition protesting proposals from Forestry and Land Scotland following growing concern over the presence of 'Phytophthora ramorum' infections across forests in the Trossachs region. The Strathyre Forests Larch Removal Plan (LRP) covers a total area of 4,225 hectares and is targeting both infected and uninfected trees within a prescribed 'buffer zone'. But those plans were subject to a petition of more than 600 signatures - and the pressure now appears to have paid off with a meeting in the works between residents, pressure groups, councillors and FLS themselves. Petition author Karen Clough said: 'We want the best outcome for the woodland here but the scale of the work planned is both exceptional and extraordinary. 'To lose almost 200 hectares of woodland in the next two to three years would really be devastating for the area, not just the habitats built up but also the eco-tourism which businesses can be so reliant upon. 'People come here to wander off into the quiet woodland and get lost - and they do so from all over the world - but who would want to come here if they're going to be surrounded by forestry work and logging machines? 'Why don't we ringfence an area around Strathyre as non-commercial woodland which can be more protected, where the diversity of habitats is saved and it wouldn't impact the community as severely?' Further concerns over the proposals on wildlife have been raised by Duncan Orr-Ewing, chairman of the Central Scotland Raptor Study Group, who added: 'There is a really broad mix of conifer tree species in the area and because of that diversity, it is really attractive to an array of wildlife - we have an interest in breeding raptors, but there is also a healthy population of goshawks and owls. 'The main concern over the FLS plans are that we haven't seen much of a mitigation plan for the raptor and owl species and a whole load of conifers potentially being removed could cause serious damage to the raptor population. 'We commented on the proposals at an early stage but haven't had any feedback from that; they have the information on the breeding raptors and the concerns they will leave this area if this is not carried out properly.' Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl has been involved in brokering the meeting and welcomed the news - and also the extension of consultation over the plans until July 4. Cllr Earl said: 'Given how extensive these proposals are, I can fully understand why there is so much interest from the community so I am delighted that FLS agreed to extend the consultation period and agree to a meeting with interested parties. 'I look forward to this being a constructive opportunity for concerns to be addressed.' An FLS spokesman said 'Although the law requiring the removal of diseased larch within a timebound period does not require that the usual pre-felling checks are carried out, we nevertheless act in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, and use a number of measures to protect raptor and other species during our operations. 'In this instance, we have sought to minimise the potential impacts on wildlife by, as far as is possible, limiting the area of mature forest being removed, proposing the use of thinning and 'keyholing' techniques to minimise tree loss and, where we can, retain non-larch stands in excess of c.45 years of age. 'Where neither option is open to us we will continue to work with stakeholders, including NatureScot and the Central Scotland Raptor Study Group, to find other ways to minimise and mitigate the impacts on populations of priority and protected species.'
STV News
25-06-2025
- STV News
Police clamp down on illegal use of motorbikes and quad bikes in forests
Police will carry out patrols as part of a clampdown on the illegal use of motorbikes and quad bikes across Aberdeenshire forests. Officers will be patrolling a number of sites run by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to curb the illegal behaviour. FLS said there have been repeated incidents of unauthorised access by people on motorbikes and quad bikes in Fetteresso and Durris Forests, and they are asking the public to report illegal activity. Forestry and Land Scotland Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) confirmed that police officers will be at sites to curb the illegal behaviour. The use of a motorbike, a quad, or a 4×4 in the forest is currently an offence. Fiona Robertson, area visitor services manager, said using any motor vehicle on FLS-managed trails is illegal and 'potentially hazardous' for other forest users. Forestry and Land Scotland Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) confirmed that police officers will be at sites to curb the illegal behaviour, which is putting members of the public at risk. 'This includes a high number of walkers, cyclists, and horse riders; not to mention they are working forests with live forestry operations in areas,' she said. Ms Robertson added that the speed at which the people in the vehicles travel is putting others' safety at risk from injury and negatively impacting surrounding residents. 'It's really important that nobody puts themselves in danger by confronting anyone, but if people can pass us registration numbers, dates and times if they witness these types of behaviours, we can inform Police Scotland. 'We want people to enjoy their visits to our forest, but this must be done responsibly and with consideration for other people and the law.' Police officers from Stonehaven will be making regular rounds of the forests to target those involved in dangerous and illegal behaviour. Inspector Mark Young said those identified as using the vehicles in the forests face prosecution, fines, and bans. 'Local officers will be carrying out patrols in and around the forest during the summer months in response to the illegal use of motorbikes and quad bikes in Fetteresso forest,' he said. 'This behaviour is not acceptable; it is illegal and dangerous. Those identified face prosecution, fines, driving bans, and vehicles may be seized and destroyed. 'We work closely with partner agencies to identify offenders with information from the public vital in providing us with descriptions of people or vehicles involved.' Registration numbers and details of incidents can be emailed to or to Police Scotland by dialling 101. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Tree felling plans in rural Stirling forest attracts major opposition in call for delay
The proposals from Forestry and Land Scotland include more than 4,000 hectares near Strathyre where woodland and forest could see trees chopped down over infection concerns. A plan that would see larch trees removed across a more than 4000 hectare stretch of woodland near Strathyre has attracted strong opposition. The proposals have been published by Forestry and Land Scotland in response to growing concern over the presence of 'Phytophthora ramorum' infections across forests in the Trossachs region. This infection has resulted in the need for Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) - which allow for the felling of infected trees and uninfected trees within a prescribed 'buffer area'. The Strathyre Forests Larch Removal Plan (LRP) covers a total area of 4,225 hectares of coniferous forest and broad-leaf woodland located around Strathyre and neighbouring Balquhidder. But the plans have been met with criticism locally - and a petition set up by campaigners looking to preserve the natural woodland has attracted more than 600 signatures. On the online petition page, they write: 'Strathyre and Loch Lubnaig are jewels of natural beauty, cherished by both locals and the thousands of visitors who flock here year after year. 'The clean air, lush green spaces, and rich wildlife create a beloved sanctuary, both for nature lovers and for the local economy which thrives on eco-tourism and hospitality. 'However, Forestry and Land Scotland's current plans propose mass felling and thinning of our forests, threatening to dismantle this irreplaceable ecosystem and the very essence of what makes Strathyre and Callander unique. 'We understand that forestry management is necessary, but such drastic measures need a pause. A thorough consultation involving local businesses and a comprehensive impact assessment on our wildlife are paramount before any further actions are taken. 'The total area affected by the FLS plan is 4226 hectares, that's an area equivalent to 6000 football pitches. 'But the total amount of diseased larch equates only to about ten per cent of that area. 'We must prioritise sustainable practices that respect both the environment and the communities that cherish it'. The petition then pleads for FLS and Scottish Forestry to halt the current plans for a 'full consultation' to be carried out and the 'implications' of the tree felling programme to be understood. An FLS spokesperson said: 'We are legally required to act when Phytophthora ramorum infection is confirmed. 'SPHNs demand that infected trees (and others within a buffer zone around the infection site) are felled prior to the following autumn. 'The SLRP concentrates in one document all of the action that we would be required to take under several SPHNs. 'Although the plan covers an overall area of approximately 4,200 ha - around 2,800 ha of which is woodland – the proposed felling area is 446 ha over the next five years (around ten per cent of the overall area) - had the disease not been present an equivalent area would normally have been felled over a 5-10 year period. 'The disease is highly infectious, affects a wide range of plant and forest species, and causes extensive mortality in infected species of larch. Pre-emptive action will go some way towards protecting larch trees in as yet un-affected areas of the country.'
