Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland Summer 2011 Issue - 12

www.snh.gov.
uk
Scottish Natural Heritage
Summer 2011
The Nature of Scotland
Blooming good
Gardening as
mental health therapy
2020V project
PR for bees, bogs
and barn owls
Art stopping
moments
Sculpture trail opens
on Fife reserve
Contents
Features
8

17
Who will you nominate?

New awards for conservations
unsung heroes
10 Providing tools for life

Down-to-earth therapy for

mental health
35
26 Holding back the invaders

Installing barriers to halt the spread

of signal crayfish
40
28 Trail of tales

Discover a new sculpture trail
25
29
50
Regulars
2

Where we are
SNH contact details
Welcome
Wild calendar
Where to go and what to see
this summer
16 Dualchas coitcheann
/Common heritage

Linking language and environment
18 News
30 How to feel good

Volunteering can improve

your health
34 Guardians of the pinewood

Tough times for capercaillie

in Scotland
50 By the way

Have you tried our longer

distance trails?
52 Restoring vision

Reversing the decline in our

natural systems
60 Celtic rainforest

Exploring the wet woods of

the west
24 Inspired by nature

Show and tell whats inspired

you?
36 Reserve focus

Discover St Cyrus NNR
42 Area news

Reports from round the country
46 Events diary

Guide to whats on
58 Kids only!

Activities for younger readers
64 Mailing list

Make sure you always receive

a copy
www.snh.gov.uk
Credits
The Magazine of Scottish Natural Heritage
Issue Number 12 Summer 2011
Published quarterly
SNH 2011
ISSN 1350 309X
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
Editor: John Walters

Tel. 01463 725 222
A full list of our offices

appears on the SNH
website: www.snh.gov.uk
Cover photo: Birds-foot-trefoil and daisies growing on the Benbecula

machair in the Western Isles. Almost half the Scottish machair occurs in
the Outer Hebrides, with the best and most extensive in the Uists and
Barra, along with Tiree.
Photographer: Lorne Gill/SNH
Corporate
headquarters
Inside cover photo: Machair is a Gaelic word, meaning an extensive,

low-lying fertile plain. Its one of the rarest habitats in Europe, found only
in the north and west of Britain and Ireland.
Great Glen House,

Leachkin Road,
Inverness IV3 8NW
Tel. 01463 725 000
Email: enquiries@snh.gov.uk
Welcome page: South Uist coastline near Staoinebrig.

Other main offices
Photography all images by Lorne Gill/SNH other than: David Whitaker 6t;
Chris Gomersall/naturepl.com 7ba; Duncan McEwan/naturepl.com 7bc;
Paul Kay 17; Niall Benvie/imagesfromtheedge.com 19; Colin Seddon/
Scottish SPCA 21; MCR/SNH 23; Graham Burns/BTCV 33b; Mark
Hamblin/2020VISION 35, 57; British Waterways Scotland 42l; Mark Hamblin
42m; Highland Print Studio 42r; Annabel Drysdale 43l; Neil Mitchell 43m;
Craig Nisbet 43r; Allan Devlin 44r; Cathy Mayne 44m; John Halliday 45m;
Andrew Campbell 45r; Terry Whitaker/2020VISION 52; Niall
Benvie/2020VISION 54,55; Mark Hamblin/2020VISION 56; Niall Benvie/
SNH 63t
Battleby, Redgorton,
Perth PH1 3EW
Tel. 01738 444 177
Map, 37 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.
To share your views about The Nature of Scotland or suggest articles for
future issues please contact the editor:
SNH Magazine
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road,
Inverness IV3 8NW
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
JTCP31k0611
When youve finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Pass it to
another reader or dispose of it at your local waste-collection point.
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
The Beta Centre,
Innovation Park,
University of Stirling,
Stirling FK9 4NF
Tel. 01786 450 362
Forth
Silvan House,
3rd Floor East,
231 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh EH12 7AT
Tel. 0131 316 2600
Northern Isles
& North Highland
Ground Floor,
Stewart Building,
Alexandra Wharf,
Lerwick,
Shetland ZE1 0LL
Tel. 01595 693 345
Northern Isles
& North Highland
The Links,
Golspie Business Park,
Golspie,
Sutherland KW10 6UB
Tel. 01408 634 063
Southern Scotland
Carmont House,
The Crichton,
Bankend Road,
Dumfries DG1 4ZF
Tel. 01387 247 010
South Highland
Fodderty Way,
Dingwall Business Park,
Dingwall IV15 9XB
Tel. 01349 865 333
South Highland
The Governors House,
The Parade, Fort William,
Inverness-shire PH33 6BA
Tel. 01397 704 716
Strathclyde & Ayrshire
Caspian House,
Mariner Court,
Clydebank Business Park,
Clydebank G81 2NR
Tel. 0141 951 4488
Tayside & Grampian
Battleby, Redgorton,
Perth PH1 3EW
Tel. 01738 444 177
Tayside & Grampian
Inverdee House,
Baxter Street,
Torry,
Aberdeen AB11 9QA
Tel. 01224 266 500
Welcome
Joe Moore
Director of Corporate Services
www.snh.gov.uk
Summer in Scotland is perhaps the season where our wildlife and landscapes
look at their best. The warmer weather and longer days also provide us with more
opportunity to get out there and experience it first-hand. Indeed, the results from
this year's Scottish Recreation Survey seem to show that more and more people
in Scotland are doing just that.
The survey showed 48% of adults visited the outdoors for enjoyment at least
once a week that's an increase of 80,000 on last year, which is terrific. At the
same time, its being forecast that more Scots will stay at home for their holidays
this year. Staycationers, as theyre called, represent a growing number of
holidaymakers who are choosing Scotland for its landscape, wildlife and people.
However, we also know that 52% of adults don't get out into Scotland's
outdoors even once a week and alarmingly some dont get out and about at
all. Our aim is to help change that, so in this edition of The Nature of Scotland
weve highlighted lots of different places where you can enjoy the outdoors and
find different ways of getting involved.
Our featured national nature reserve (NNR) is St Cyrus, which is a stunning
stretch of coastline halfway between Aberdeen and Dundee. Its just off the
beaten track between the two cities, but is easily found. The reserve features
a range of landscapes including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and sheltered
grassland, and is home to a great mix of breeding birds and flowering plants.
Another featured NNR is Tentsmuir on the Firth of Tay. This reserve is close to
my heart, as I grew up in Dundee and spent many summers enjoying the beach and
forest trails there. Weve just opened a new sculpture trail at Tentsmuir, providing
another reason to visit this amazing coastal reserve on the northeast tip of Fife.
Continuing the 'get outdoors' theme, SNH are launching an initiative this
summer to promote Scotland's range of longer distance trails. There are 20
different routes across the country being promoted as part of the 'Scotland's
Great Trails' campaign, all of which provide opportunities for short walks in the
outdoors for beginners or longer expeditions for the more intrepid.
Finally, I'd like to draw your attention to the Nature of Scotland Awards,
which the RSPB have launched this summer and which SNH are supporting.
The awards celebrate and recognise innovation, excellence and achievement in
conservation, and theyre the first awards of their kind in Scotland. Theyre open
for nominations now, so if you know of any unsung conservation heroes, now's
your chance to put them forward.
I hope you enjoy this edition of our magazine and that it inspires you to enjoy
the Scottish summer outdoors!
Summer
Wild
calendar
Kenny Taylor gives
some seasonal
tips for savouring
Scottish wildlife and
landscapes
What will summer have in store this year? As
nights shrink and days stretch, will you rise to see
dragonflies before they warm to flight or be up
to watch bats flit along a dusky woodland ride?
Will you journey to eagle heights or plunge in
cool waters? Or will you make time just to sit and
enjoy nature wherever you are, from the backlit
leaves in a city street to the sun-warmed rocks of
a mountain?
A plug for Edinburgh

Dont get me wrong, as a native Glaswegian I make no
special pleading for the nations capital. But I have to admit
that Edinburgh is rock solid.
Theres no ignoring the evidence of ancient volcanic
activity that sits at the citys core. Castle Rock, above
Princes Street, is a plug, for example. It formed when molten
rock, or magma, hardened in a vent of an active volcano.
Theres more plugged-up plumbing around Arthurs Seat
the crag complex that is such a city landmark. And there
are other features here, from the time, more than 300 million
years ago, when this was a hotbed of explosive activity.
To explore these, take a walk in the park from near
Holyrood Palace and Dynamic Earth. Follow the path
alongside Salisbury Crags (a huge sill formed when magma
squeezed between layers of other rock), then eventually up
to reach the summit. The view stretches far beyond the city
to swathes of the Lothians, Firth of Forth and southern Fife: a
cool reward from what was once a very hot place.
Web tip:
http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/centralscotland/
holyrood_park_arthurs_seat
4
1
The cliffs of Salisbury
Crags are one of the
defining landmarks of
the nations capital.
www.snh.gov.uk
Damsel macho
The damsels can be superb at this season, especially the

males. Find a good patch of water with some sedges or
other water plants sprouting at its fringe, and you could be in
for a treat.
Damselflies give a blur of colour to many Scottish
wetlands in summer. A blue that manages to be both pale
and eye-catching is one of the shades to spot.
It could belong to the slender body of a male common
blue damselfly. The most widespread of our summer damsels
(you could see one in many places from the Solway to
Shetland), the common blue is both beautiful and intriguing.
Males often wait in groups on plant stems, alert for the
arrival of females. To start mating, the male clasps the female
by her neck. Then, if she chooses to continue, she curves her
body under his in what entomologists call a mating wheel.
It looks awkward, but these damsels are adept. They
can even hold the full wheel position as they flutter, clasped
together, over the water margins.
Web tip:
www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/naturallyscottish/
dragonfly/inscotland.asp
A touch of glamour
Orchids are amazing. I dont just mean the ones that can
now grace supermarkets with their exotic presence. They
can be gorgeous, showcasing some of the features of one
of the worlds largest families of flowering plants (25,000
species known, with more being added by the year). But
what really excites me is to get up close to a free-living,
native orchid.
Now is the season to get acquainted. For despite what
may seem like an air of exclusivity that still clings to the family
name, wild orchids can be quite common in some places.
On many Hebridean islands, for example, you can see
them anywhere from road verges to meadows or cliff-top
heaths. If you explore tracks across rough pastures or moors
this summer, youll have a good chance of seeing one of our
commonest orchids the heath-spotted orchid.
It likes acidic soil, where the pale pink, lilac or white of
its flowers gives a pastel-soft contrast to the dark tones of
heather and moorland grasses. Hunker down, nose to flower,
to see the glorious calligraphy of petal markings.
Web tip:
www.kew.org/science/orchids/whatareorchids.html
Extreme fishing
Gannets are attention grabbers. With a wingspan of around two metres and
plumage so white you can quite literally see it from miles away, an adult gannet
just cant blend in to the background.
Then theres the plunge factor. Watch a gannet stall in flight, plummet and
dive, sending spray in a cannonade from the surface, and you know youre in the
presence of natural greatness. Olympian performances come as standard with
these birds no tickets required to spectate.
But venues at and near breeding places are scarce, for gannets nest at only a
few dozen colonies around the North Atlantic. Luckily, Scotland hosts several of
the worlds largest ones. The Bass Rock and St Kilda are two of them, and so is
the colony at the Hermaness National Nature Reserve on Shetland.
Like many of Scotlands gannetries, this one at Britains northernmost edge
has been expanding in recent years. So theres plenty of scope to appreciate the
big birds at their nests, or watch them feed in the way that only gannets know
how.
2
The female common
blue damselfly is held
by the more brightly
coloured male to form
a classic mating
wheel.
3
The large lower lip of
an orchid flower can be
used as a landing
platform by pollinating
insects. But its
patterns also look
good to the human
eye.
4
The Bass Rock is one
of the worlds oldest
recorded seabird
colonies and has long
been home to breeding
gannets.
Web tip:
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/hermaness
Some other things to look for in summer:

Basking sharks in the Clyde and waters of the Inner Hebrides; puffins
carrying fish to their young at colonies; froglets on the move; rockpools
to explore; and butterflies anywhere from beaches to mountains.
www.snh.gov.uk
Who will you nominate?

A new collection of annual awards is being launched
to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation
and outstanding achievement in Scottish nature
conservation
8
Scotland is home to some of the UKs rarest and most spectacular

wildlife, and the countrys outstanding natural beauty is renowned
worldwide. Every day, countless people and projects work tirelessly
to keep it that way.
Who do you know

thats doing great work
to protect and improve
our wonderful wildlife
and wild places?
www.snh.gov.uk
Its these unsung heroes helping to preserve Scotlands precious natural

heritage, habitats and species who will be honoured in the first annual Nature of
Scotland Awards. RSPB Scotland have developed this new initiative to celebrate
the exceptional conservation work going on across Scotland to protect and
improve some of our rarest wild places and wildlife.
Chairing the judging panel is Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland,
whos looking forward to hearing of these great success stories. The challenges
involved in protecting and nurturing Scotlands special places and iconic species
are ever more pressing, he commented. There are so many individuals and
businesses, as well as the public sector, who make a hugely valuable contribution
to looking after our incredible natural heritage, and we feel the time is right to start
celebrating those efforts.
Also on the judging panel are BBC television and radio presenter Euan
McIlwraith, naturalist and author Sir John Lister-Kaye, and Ian Jardine, chief
executive of Scottish Natural Heritage. It is everyones responsibility to do what
they can to help make nature work best for Scotland, Ian Jardine remarked. Im
confident that the people of Scotland will rise to that challenge, as indeed theyre
already doing. And thats what these awards are all about recognising the
hard work that individuals, groups and organisations are doing for the benefit of
Scotlands natural environment.
Entries are open to any individual or project linked to Scotland and you can
submit them under six different categories. They include:
Marine Conservation Award recognises outstanding contribution to the
conservation or sustainable management of Scotlands precious marine resources
through partnership working, innovative ideas or new research.
Sustainable Development Award demonstrates how research, initiative,
planning or development has had a positive effect on nature conservation linked
to Scotland.
Politician of the Year Award awarded to the politician whos made an
outstanding contribution to nature conservation in the last year. The award is open
to any elected representative (MSP, MP, MEP or local councillor) who has links to
Scotland or Scottish nature conservation.
Innovation Award celebrates the most innovative project, initiative, practice
or technique (management or otherwise) that has helped nature conservation.
Entries for this award need to stand out as being different.
Outstanding Contribution Award honours someone whos made an
exceptional contribution to the conservation of nature in Scotland or overseas.
This person could be a volunteer, leader of an initiative, someone whos the
driving force behind delivery on the ground or perhaps someone whos really
inspired change.
RSPB Species Champion Award will go to an individual whos achieved
something extraordinary to protect a vulnerableor threatened species.
When entries close on 26 August 2011, teams of internal and external experts
specific to the category will put together a shortlist of the finalists. These finalists
will be announced following the judges meeting in November. Supporters will be
able to raise a glass to the winners, courtesy of The Black Grouse whisky, at an
awards dinner in early March 2012.
Do you know anyone whos done something outstanding for nature
conservation? Visit www.rspb.org.uk/natureofscotland to find out more and
make your nomination.
10
Providing
tools for life
One in four adults in Scotland will suffer from
mental health problems at some time in their lives.
Gardening and nature may not strike you as the
most obvious remedies, but an Edinburgh service is
proving just how effective they can be
1
The walled garden at
Redhall dates back
some 250 years. It
includes a number of
old buildings, such as
this summer house,
which it's hoped to
restore in the future.
www.snh.gov.uk
11
A warm welcome awaits anyone who enters Redhall Walled Garden

in Edinburgh. The colourful gates stand open, inviting people in,
and inside you find folk busy at work, whether weeding, digging or
building focused activity is everywhere.
You might wonder why this would be a cause for comment. But it is in many
respects highly unusual, because Redhall is a mental health facility. Most mental
health services are of necessity closed the people using those services receive
training and therapy without the public casually walking through.
We see our openness as an active virtue, explained Jan Cameron, the team
leader at Redhall. We welcome all manner of passers-by and sometimes even
sell them a plant or two!
Indeed, the people who are part of the community at Redhall regularly greet
casual visitors. This is often simply natural friendliness and helps with confidence
building. But its also part of the never-ending, vital work of breaking down stigma
and often unintentional ignorance or incomprehension.
Redhall Walled Garden is a service of the Scottish Association for Mental
Health (SAMH, see www.samh.org.uk), a national charity that provides mental
health and related services to around 3,000 people and campaigns for better
mental health. The garden provides a unique setting for a remarkable mental
health service, nestling in the peaceful haven of Edinburghs Colinton Dell.
Its a working organic garden, with a rich history and beautiful location, and its
purpose is to support people with mental health problems, provide training and
assist them towards recovery. Fifty trainees as those who come here are known
are offered the opportunity to work in gardening, conservation, IT, administration
and mental health awareness. Trainees sign a contract that requires them to
attend for at least three days a week, building up to five. Placements are not time
limited and people can sign themselves in.
2
Raised beds are a
major feature of the
garden. Theyre used
for the estates
vegetable garden as
well as for the trainees
individual allotments.
3
Gardening instructor
Elinor Leslie with
trainee Craig Keppie.
4
Callum Whitelaw and
Craig Keppie head out
into the garden.
12
Cost-effective
Redhall has been operating for 27 years, making it one of
SAMHs longest running and most established services. It
has come through many changes over the years and has
built up a strong reputation for being work focused and
inclusive. It prides itself on being open to the public, part
of the community and highly cost-effective the costs of a
trainee at Redhall are about 4,500 a year compared with
around 56,000 for a person in hospital.
Theres a staff team of eight at Redhall, along with
occassional sessional workers who come in to do various
pieces of work, as well as students on placement. The team
members are passionate about providing not just a place
of safety for people in times of need, but also a place that
inspires, excites, challenges and offers people a sense of
purpose a focus on something bigger than themselves.
When people come to visit the garden, one of the
questions they often ask is, What kind of people come
here?, Jan observed. Our usual answer is, People like you
and me!
Mental health problems are no respecter of class,
education, wealth or status. When people come to us they
have usually been seriously ill for a considerable time and
each case is unique. One trainee once wrote in an evaluation
form that Redhall is the best place to be even on the darkest
day.
This is part of what makes us different from other
training agencies. For example, we encourage people to
come in when theyre having a bad day, which for some
trainees can mean extreme distress, up to and including
suicidal impulses. However, this is the time when we can
see whats really going on for them and not just the face they
show the world when theyre more able to cope. Then we
can offer real support and teach them some skills to deal
with whatever their problems are. Significant change for
people often happens on the bad days.
I was given dungarees and boots,

and, for the first time since I was
ill, I had a sense that I was able to
do something and a little spark of
hope ignited.
www.snh.gov.uk
13
Growing history
One of the things that strikes people when they come into the garden is the
sense of being deeply rooted in time. It was originally the kitchen garden for the
imposing Redhall House, so the space within the walls has been dedicated to
growing for more than 250 years (and more than a quarter of a century in its
current therapeutic use). The garden sits within a 2.5 hectare (6 acre) estate of
great natural beauty, which is part of the Water of Leith Walkway and open to all.
The Redhall staff and trainees started to develop this land about six years ago by
creating a path network, providing information panels for the public, encouraging
more native plant species and discouraging invasive plants.
SNH have been a supporter of Redhall for over 15 years and have grant aided
a number of projects in the grounds including ponds, a bog garden, raised beds,
wildlife planting for birds and bees, as well as path works and signage. Much
of this work is public facing, and members of the public are welcomed into the
garden on various occasions. There are information days on the first Wednesday
of each month, when small groups are given a presentation and a tour of the
garden. And four or five Sundays in the year are designated as open family days
with various activities, plant sales and catering.
Trainees are always involved in our information and open days, Jan added,
and they have lots of amusing stories because not all visitors initially appreciate
that people who have experienced mental health problems may be just as
articulate, informed and helpful as anyone else in society.
Many trainees are highly skilled and qualified, and the complex business of
running Redhall makes full use of their many talents. Were privileged to witness
quite remarkable progress in peoples lives as they begin to participate in society
once more.
14
When I first came

to work at Redhall I
felt broken Now I
can actually begin to
see the possibility of
becoming a whole
human being again.
5
Agnes Uzanda and
Elinor Leslie check
over the plants for sale
to the public.
6
Helen Rowley helps
out with watering the
raised beds.
Its inspiring to watch the garden

grow through the seasons and to
know I had a hand in that. Thats a
great sense of achievement.
www.snh.gov.uk
15
Dualchas coitcheann
Common heritage
The Gaelic word for south a common
enough term on our maps also means
right. The reason takes us back to
the sun-worshipping practices of our
ancestors, as Ruairidh MacIlleathain
reveals
An ird a deas air an limh dheis

Bidh feadhainn a tha ag ionnsachadh na Gidhlig gu tric a gabhail iongnadh gu bheil an aon fhacal
againn airson south agus right. Ach tha e furasta gu ler a thuigsinn nuair a chithear gu bheilear a
tomhas nan irdean bhon t-sealladh aig duine a tha a coimhead a dhionnsaigh an ite far an irich a
ghrian aig a cho-fhad-thrth. Feumar cuimhneachadh gun robh ar sinnsirean uaireigin ag adhradh don
ghrin anns an digh sin. Chithear an aon sersa dualchais anns a ghnomhair Bheurla orientate a
tha a ciallachadh bho thus a bhith a cur d aghaidh a dhionnsaigh na h-irde an ear no oriens ann
an Laideann (s am faighear am facal orient cuideachd).
Tha an ear a ciallachadh air beulaibh agus tha an iar a ciallachadh air claibh. Mar sin, a
thaobh irdean na combaist, tha iad a seasamh airson east agus west. Tha an iar air a shuidheachadh
air claibh duine a tha a coimhead a dhionnsaigh na h-irde an ear; s ann bhuaithe sin a tha sinn
a faighinn abairtean mar tha mi air an obair a dhanamh. Bho shean, s e tha mi iar an obair a
dhanamh a chanadh daoine a ciallachadh tha mi an didh an obair a dhanamh.
Nuair a sheasas neach, agus e a coimhead a dhionnsaigh na h-irde an ear, ma thogas e a lmh
dheas, bidh i a comharrachadh na h-irde a deas. S e sin as coireach gu bheil deas a seasamh
airson south a bharrachd air right. Bidh a lmh eile air an taobh tuath; bha tuath bho ths a
ciallachadh left a bharrachd air north.
Leis gun do dhirich na Gidheil mar shluagh anns an leth-chruinne mu thuath, bha e ndarrach
gum biodh iad a coimhead air slighe na grine san adhar bhon ird an ear don ird an iar tron ird a
deas, mar ghluasad ndarrach (tha a ghrian a dol gu tuath anns an leth-chruinne mu dheas). S e sin
as coireach gu bheil sinn a tomhas gluasad deiseil (leis a ghrin, leis a chloc) mar rud fbharach,
agus tuathal mar m-fhortanach no m-ndarrach a bharrachd air an aghaidh spgan a chloca. S e
partan-tuathal a tha sinn a gabhail air a hermit crab air sgth s gu bheil e air a thomhas mar chreutair
rudeigin m-ndarrach.
Is iongantach mura h-eil a mh-ndarrachd aig tuathal co-cheangailte ris an droch chli a bha aig
cl-lmhachd ann am mran chultaran Erpach, agus an deagh chli a bha aig deas-lmhachd. Tha am
facal Beurla sinister a tighinn bhon Laidinn airson cl no cerr mar a chanar cuideachd ann an
Gidhlig. Agus ann am mran choimhearsnachdan Gidhealach, thathar ag rdh suas gu deas agus
sos gu tuath calg-dhreach an aghaidh digh bhaisteach na Beurla anns a bheilear ag rdh up
north agus down south.
16
South on the right hand

Partan tuathal. Tha am
facal tuathal a
ciallachadh diofar
rudan, ach chan eil gin
dhiubh math! S e
m-ndarrachd a tha e
a comharrachadh ann
an co-cheangal ris a
phartan seo.
The Gaelic for the
hermit crab is partan
tuathal, literally the
awkward crab. Tuathal
is connected with left
and north, as well as
being associated with
awkwardness and
wrongness. The word
partan was borrowed
by Scots speakers and
is still used for crab in
the Scots dialect of the
northeast.
www.snh.gov.uk
The key points of the compass in Gaelic recall the ancient practice of facing the
rising sun in the east. East is an ear, originally meaning in front, and west is an
iar, which meant behind. Both terms are found in place names for example, the
Western Isles are Na h-Eileanan an Iar in Gaelic.
The term for south is deas, which also means right. The word is related
distantly to the Latin dexter and therefore to the English dextrous, and has similar
associations with correctness. It derives from the naturalness of sunwise motion
(the sun moves from east to west through the south of the sky in the northern
hemisphere).
Sunwise, or clockwise, motion (called deiseil in Gaelic) is still seen in Gaelic
culture as being more favourable than the opposite, which is known as tuathal.
This comes from tuath, the Gaelic for north, which originally meant left. Tuathal
has suggestions of unnaturalness or awkwardness, as in partan tuathal (awkward
crab), the Gaelic for the hermit crab.
Deas and tuath are relatively common in the landscape for instance, Uibhist
a Tuath (North Uist) and Uibhist a Deas (South Uist). But in many areas of the
Gidhealtachd, you travel suas gu deas (up south) and sos gu tuath (down
north), which is the opposite of what youd say in modern-day English.
17
NEWS
Visitors leap
The number of Scottish adults visiting the outdoors for leisure or recreation at
least once a week has gone up by more than 80,000 in a year.
The rise in numbers was revealed in the latest results from the Scottish
Recreation Survey. It recorded an increase from 46% in 2009 to 48% of the adult
population in Scotland in 2010. This also represents a 4% increase from 2006,
which equates to another 160,000 people getting out and about once a week.
Walking is the most popular outdoor recreational activity among adults living
in Scotland it was the main activity on 73% of visits to the outdoors in 2010.
Family outings were next in terms of popularity, being the main pursuit on 8% of
visits. This was followed by cycling/mountain biking, which was the main activity
on 5% of visits. Total spend on visits to the outdoors in 2010 was estimated to be
around 2.5 billion.
This is really good news, commented Richard Davison, who is responsible
for SNHs people and landscapes programme. The reasons for the increase will
be many and varied, but we believe our work on encouraging more people to
visit the outdoors, along with the excellent work being done by local authorities
and many others, is helping to inspire people to get outdoors. Even in towns and
cities, people have great opportunities to explore green places near to home and
enjoy good local path networks, which is why its important to look after them.
Spending time outdoors is fun and very rewarding, and is a great way to improve
your health for free.
Last year SNH launched its Simple pleasures, easily found campaign, which
encourages people to enjoy nature close to where they live. The campaign
provides information to inspire people to get outdoors more often, with
recommended routes around some of Scotlands towns and cities, and beyond.
Route leaflets for Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Stirling and
Dumfries are currently available as part of the campaign. And leaflets for other
areas of Scotland, including Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew, and Dundee will
be added shortly. To view these, along with top tips for fun activities to do when
youre out, go to www.snh.gov.uk/simplepleasures
18
Scotlands network of paths may face additional wear and tear because of
the effects that climate change will have on weather patterns over the coming
decades. Thats the conclusion of a new report from SNH, which warns that paths
could deteriorate and become unstable due to changing conditions.
Paths play a vital role in allowing people to enjoy the outdoors and contribute
to health and well-being. But, as the impacts of climate change become more
evident, challenges in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of our
paths will need to be addressed.
One of the key recommendations in the report is that those responsible for
paths local authorities and other path managers assess the impact risks of
climate change on existing path networks and prioritise appropriate action. This
could include installing additional or larger drains, changing the surface type
when paths need repair, or realigning paths on to higher ground through the
planning process.
You can read the report on the SNH website at www.snh.gov.uk/
publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/
publication-detail/?id=1780
NEWS
Paths face challenges
Voles galore
Scotlands recent freezing winters have resulted in a population explosion of field
voles across the country. Experts believe that there are now record levels of the
small mammals, which were protected from predators by long-lying snow.
Scientists in Dumfries and Galloway have recorded the highest number of field
voles in 20 years, and a five-fold increase on average levels. High levels have also
been observed in central Scotland and the Highlands. The number of field voles
usually peaks every few years, but this year has been exceptional in the south and
west of Scotland.
Aberdeen University professor of ecology Xavier Lambin said it was difficult
to work out the total number of field voles in Scotland, but that it could be in the
region of 60 million. This year the figure is potentially 10 times that, pushing their
number into the hundreds of millions.
They thrive under the snow, Professor Lambin explained. They tend to
have a good year in these conditions. The snow provides thermal insulation,
maintaining a temperature of 23C under the pack.
This protects the voles from the coldest temperatures and the cover stops
them from being hunted by birds of prey such as buzzards and owls. When the
snow melts, a complex network of runs and tunnels is revealed in the grass in
areas where there are high numbers of voles.
Receding snow cover makes them vulnerable to birds of prey, who are now
feasting on them. Raptor experts report that buzzards and owls, which feed on
field voles, are thriving this year.
The brood size of tawny owls is one of the ways we measure field vole
populations, remarked George Swan, whos researching field voles in the
Trossachs. This is how we know its such a decent year because all the owl
boxes in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park have got four chicks in.
www.snh.gov.uk
19
NEWS
20
Camping byelaws introduced

New laws affecting camping along the shores of east Loch Lomond came into
force at the beginning of June.
The byelaws apply to the area running from Drymen to Rowardennan
(approximately 14.5 km/9 miles) and includes part of the West Highland Way and
the shoreline of the loch. Under the new byelaws, it will be an offence to camp
anywhere in the restricted zone outside designated camping areas.
The byelaws have been introduced by the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
National Park Authority to help improve the visitor experience in eastern Loch
Lomond, and to reduce the impacts of years of visitor pressure and antisocial
behaviour.
Loch Lomond is a beautiful part of the national park and one of the most
famous places in Scotland to come and visit, commented Grant Moir, the parks
director of conservation and visitor experience. Its important we do everything
we can to protect it whilst improving the visitor experience.
Well continue to welcome day visitors into the area to enjoy the sights, such
as Ben Lomond, Conic Hill and Inchcailloch. There are also still opportunities to
camp in the area at the official camp sites at Cashel and Milarrochy. And theres
also the new campsite at Sallochy thats been built by Forestry Commission
Scotland for visitors to enjoy. The byelaws are giving the landscape a chance to
recover and for the area to be managed for all who live in or visit the area.
Ranger teams will be out and about over the summer, giving advice about
camping in the national park and all the things visitors can do and see. Theyll also
be out patrolling with the police to enforce the new camping byelaws in an effort
to make sure that Loch Lomond remains a family friendly destination.
The woodlands on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond are a beautiful place
and are protected by law, remarked Paul Roberts of SNH. But the area has
suffered from tree felling, uncontrolled fires and litter over many years. Were
looking forward to the byelaws and the new campsite helping nature to flourish,
so that visitors can enjoy this special place for years to come.
Under the byelaws, its an offence to camp in the restricted zones, with
the maximum fine being 500. A number of other measures are also being
implemented as part of the East Loch Lomond Management Plan, including car
park upgrades, new toilets, a programme of signage improvements and traffic
management measures.
NEWS
Storms batter birds

Concerns have been raised about the impact the stormy weather in May had on
the breeding success of some wild birds.
According to the RSPB, some ground-nesting birds and those that nest on or
near water may have been among the worst affected. Bird of prey nests are also
feared to have fallen victim to the conditions.
Heavy rain and winds left more than 1,000 nests on the Insh Marshes National
Nature Reserve in the Highlands submerged under water, including those of
wading species such as lapwing, snipe, redshank and curlew.
According to Karen Sutcliffe, RSPB site manager at Insh Marshes, wading
birds were already struggling in Strathspey, so the gales had simply dealt a further
blow to the local population.
A flood in mid-April washed away many early nesting attempts, Karen
explained, but around two-thirds of the birds tried again. Unfortunately, the bad
weather in May had a really damaging effect and it looks unlikely that many birds
would have made a third attempt.
Monitoring projects also recorded problems with rarer species. RSPB staff
studying the Slavonian grebe found that nests made in sedge beds had been
washed away. And a research programme radio tagging 16 ring ouzel chicks lost
almost half of its subjects due to bad weather.
In addition, RSPB reports expressed concern about some birds of prey, with
nests and eggs of red kites, ospreys and eagles damaged or blown from trees. In
one case, near Callander in the Trossachs, a red kite nest had been blown about
60 metres (200 ft) out of a wood on to farmland and a dead chick was found on
the ground.
Many surviving chicks and fledglings, including birds of prey, were found by
members of the public and taken to the Scottish SPCAs Wildlife Rescue Centre
in Fife. They included the buzzard chick shown here with Colleen Cooper of the
SSPCA.
Almost all the birds that came into our care were blown out of nests,
explained Colin Seddon, manager of the rescue centre. The strong winds came
at a really bad time of year as lots of fledglings had just hatched in nests at the
tops of trees. Many of the birds, including tawny owl, long eared owl and buzzard
chicks, were simply blown out by the high winds.
www.snh.gov.uk
21
NEWS
Look out for commas
The comma butterfly is making a comeback in Scotland.
The distinctive orange and brown butterfly has ragged wing edges and a
white comma-shaped marking on its underwings, which make it easy to identify.
It can be found in gardens and woodlands from April through to September, as it
hibernates over winter as an adult butterfly and has two broods a year.
Commas have so far been spotted as far north as Aberdeenshire, and it
seems to be spreading faster up the east coast than the west, where its as far
north as Motherwell. Last year, the discovery of comma caterpillars feeding on
elm in Bridge of Allan confirmed that the comma is successfully breeding in the
Central Belt.
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation are asking the public to help track
the expansion of the comma in Scotland. Sightings can be returned on special
comma postcards theyre distributing, or online at
www.butterfly-conservation.org/scottishcommasurvey
22
Nature is worth billions of pounds to the UK economy, according to a major new

report.
The National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) says that for decades the
emphasis has been on producing resources we can use and sell, such as timber,
crops and fisheries. But this has harmed other parts of nature through pollution,
over-exploitation and land conversion.
The groundbreaking research by hundreds of scientists across the UK
attempts to put a cash price on the environmental services provided by nature.
Examples include:
NEWS
Natural value
The health benefits of living with a view of green space are worth up to 300
per person per year;
Pollinators are worth 430 million per year to British farming;
The benefits that inland wetlands bring to water quality are worth up to 1.5
billion per year;
The amenity benefits of living close to rivers, coasts and other wetlands is worth
up to 1.3 billion per year.
The NEA is an independent study funded by a range of bodies across the UK,
including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the
Scottish Government. The report strengthens the arguments for protecting and
enhancing the environment and will used by government to direct policy in future.
Sea surveys study

A new report that presents the findings of various research projects in Scottish
waters should help marine energy developers, regulators and advisers.
SNH and Marine Scotland sponsored the study, which looked at imagery
and data from surveys carried out at 15 locations. Altogether, 14 species and 17
habitats of conservation interest were identified.
The report considers the impacts that renewable energy developments would
have on some of the conservation features. It will therefore be of help in balancing
marine energy development and nature conservation, as well as informing marine
planning and the creation of marine protected areas.
Susan Davies, SNH director of policy and advice, said the report should prove
useful to anyone with an interest in marine renewable energy. The waters around
Scotland have huge potential for marine renewable energy development, she
went on, and theyre also internationally important for many features of nature
conservation interest.
Our role is to help the marine energy sector to develop sustainably. We do
this by providing advice and information on important marine features so that
these can be taken into account when planning developments. The evidence in
this report will be a real asset in that process.
You can find the report on the SNH website at www.snh.gov.uk/
publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/
publication-detail/?id=1782
www.snh.gov.uk
23
Inspired by nature
Thanks for another great
response to our request for
images and stories of wild
encounters. We received
some fine submissions
again, and below are some
of the entries that weve
selected. Please keep them
coming. Email your images
and stories to
editor@snh.gov.uk
24
1 Dornoch Firth yacht

I took a series of photos, both horizontal and
vertical, from the car park near the golf links at
Dornoch in September looking southeast. A very
heavy rainstorm was passing over the firth and we
sat in the car watching it recede. We southerners
rarely get skies like this one, so I took a whole
series of images of it.
John Wigmore, Ashford, Kent
2 Grasshopper
Id been trying to photograph these little creatures
for hours in a patch of waste ground not far
from my house. This grasshopper jumped from
a nearby leaf next to where I was sitting, I crept
forward and managed to get this shot. Growing
up as a child, I cannot remember seeing a
grasshopper with such unusual markings.
Duncan Mcnaught, New Galloway,
Castle Douglas
3 Force of nature
I took this picture in early January near where

the River Calder meets with the River Spey at
Newtonmore. After a month of extremely
cold weather (down to 20C and prolonged
periods of sub-zero daytime temperatures), the
River Calder froze over. At the first thaw, huge ice
blocks, some the size of massive dining tables,
flowed down the river and grounded on shallow
gravels creating an almost impenetrable ice field.
Scott Duncan, Aviemore
4 Happy bee
With the shortage of bees, it was lovely to see
this one buzzing along happily. The bright yellow
of the flower just added to the shots happy feeling.
Hazel McKay, Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire
5 Frog
I took this photo of a frog at night in a local
quarry. The frogs are a bit wary during the day,
but theyre everywhere if you go out at night. So
I found a suitable subject and lay on the ground
with a flashlight on my camera.
Stan Wilson, Langholm
Give us your best!

If youd like to send in your images and stories of wild encounters,
please email them to editor@snh.gov.uk
Remember to include your name, where you live and some
background information on any pictures submitted. Please restrict
yourself to only three entries per person per issue. If youre
sending in photos that have children in them, then we need written
permission from a parent or guardian of each child in the picture.
In contributing to The Nature of Scotland you agree to grant us
royalty-free, non-exclusive use of your material in any way we want
and in any media.
However, youll still own the copyright to everything you
contribute, and well aim to publish your name alongside anything
published. SNH cannot guarantee that all pictures will be used, and
we reserve the right to edit any material provided.
www.snh.gov.uk
25
Scientists and river managers are

hoping for success with a pioneering
project to try and curb the spread
of an alien species in the south of
Scotland
1
Colin Bean from SNH
discusses the design of
the new crayfish barrier
with SNH PhD student
Zara Gladman.
2
Laying traps for signal
crayfish in the River
Clyde.
3
The North American
signal crayfish is an
invasive species thats
forcing out native
species across Europe.
Holding back
the invaders
The first custom-designed crayfish barrier has
been installed between two rivers in the south of
Scotland. The barrier is intended to stop the North
American signal crayfish moving from one river
catchment into the other and devastating native
wildlife.
Signal crayfish were first identified in the River Clyde in
1996 and recent survey work has shown that theyve spread
into many of the headwaters of the river. There are now
fears that this invasive non-native species may move across
into the neighbouring River Annan catchment, near to the
Beattock summit in South Lanarkshire.
The River Annan is some 56 km (35 miles) long and runs
from Moffat in the north to Annan on the Solway coast. Its
one of the best salmon and sea trout rivers in the south of
Scotland and is very important to the local economy.
26
A partnership of bodies including the Annan District

Salmon Fisheries Board, Clyde River Foundation, South
Lanarkshire Council, SEPA and SNH have installed
a custom-designed barrier at a site close to where the
headwaters of the Clyde and Annan rivers meet. This is the
first time this kind of unique barrier design has been tried
anywhere in the UK or beyond.
Unfortunately, there are no techniques available that will
allow us to get rid of signal crayfish from rivers and streams,
explained Colin Bean, a freshwater adviser with SNH. So
taking the radical step of developing and installing a physical
barrier may offer the best hope of stopping the species from
moving into new catchments.
The headwaters of the Clyde and Annan rivers are
separated by a small field that occasionally floods. As signal
crayfish are able to travel short distances across land, the
partnership considered the possibility of constructing a
physical barrier to stop them crossing over.
The two specially designed dams have been installed
20 metres apart at a cost of 50,000. Funds for the project
came through SNHs Species Action Framework, which
identifies the signal crayfish as a species of conservation
concern. Both the River Annan and the River Clyde will now
be monitored regularly to check whether the barrier has been
successful in stopping the spread of crayfish.
Signal crayfish are voracious predators that feed on
juvenile fish and their eggs, as well as water insects. They
can also burrow into and undermine riverbanks. This can
destabilise them, leading to increased erosion and damage
to the spawning grounds of a variety of fish species,
including salmon and trout. Unstable banks may also be a
safety risk for both humans and livestock.
Once theyre introduced, a population can establish
quickly. A single female, for example, can carry up to 350 or
400 live young, so it doesnt take very long for a population
to spread and become impossible to remove.
Its against the law to capture, keep, transport or release
live signal crayfish into the wild without a licence. They first
entered the UK as a fish farm species in England and Wales.
Some of these animals escaped in the 1980s and have
gradually spread, with the help of people, to many areas
of the country. Theyve had a devastating impact on native
crayfish populations as they pass on a fungal parasite to
which the native populations have no resistance.
In Scotland, the species was first recorded on the River
Dee catchment in Kirkcudbrightshire in 1995. Theyre now
found as far north as Inverness-shire and currently occupy
over 174 km of river length, as well as a number of ponds
and lochs. People established nearly all of these populations,
clearly unaware of the damage that these animals can cause,
or the fact that theyre virtually impossible to remove once
theyre established.
If you visit rivers or lochs in Scotland, then you can
help by looking out for this destructive species. If you do
come across a signal crayfish, please report the sighting by
phoning 0141 951 4488.
www.snh.gov.uk
If this physical barrier proves to be successful, then

we may use it in other parts of the country to help prevent
crayfish moving into new areas, Colin added. We cant
prevent them from becoming a problem in rivers where they
currently exist, but at least this would give us some hope that
we can control their spread in the future.
2
27
3
One of northeast Fifes natural treasures is the

setting for an imaginative new sculpture trail
Trail of tales
1
Make your way to Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve on the Firth of Tay for the
chance to journey back through time on a new sculpture trail.
Some 9,000 years of history at Tentsmuir are celebrated in the sculptures, which reveal gripping
stories of shipwrecked sailors, ancient tsunamis, Vikings, Picts, Romans, thieves and vagabonds.
The 9 km (5.5 miles) Tentsmuir Time Line Trail features six new sculptures including a giant
arrowhead, a totem post and a Highland cow along with four historical objects that already existed
on the reserve. The latter includes the remains of the World War II defences that once guarded this
coast. All the stopping points on the trail have graphic panels alongside that present some background
information with a touch of humour.
The sculptures were created using a variety of contrasting craft skills, ranging from the latest
technology of laser cutting equipment to the traditional methods of local blacksmith Jim Shears.
When the idea of a history trail first arose some 12 years ago, I hoped that it would help visitors
see this amazing spot in northeast Fife the way I do, remarked Tentsmuir NNR manager Tom Cunningham.
28
1
Evidence of the
earliest people at
Tentsmuir survives in
the tools, shells, bones
and arrowheads they
left behind.
2
An artwork modelled
on the cattle that now
graze the dunes on the
reserve to stop trees
taking root.
3
Mirror image this
wave shape is a
reminder of the 21
metre tsunami wave
that struck Fife some
7,000 years ago.
www.snh.gov.uk
I have a terrific job where I see this landscape change daily, but its quite awe inspiring to imagine
how the area has changed over thousands of years. A walk along the trail is a real adventure and
visitors will discover some remarkable stories about the place as they wander round.
One of the must-see locations on the reserve for visitors is Tentsmuir Point, which lies on the
outermost edge of a large sand dune system. Some 9,000 years ago the shoreline at Tentsmuir
lay about 4 km farther inland. As sand gradually built up over the centuries, the shoreline extended
eastwards.
Today, Tentsmuir Point is one of the fastest growing parts of Scotland. Sand is still being deposited
there and the land is moving out into the sea at a rate of five metres a year or about a fingers width
each day.
Swirling currents and turning tides constantly move the sand to create new shorelines and
sandbars. The reserve is therefore an important site for studying how beaches and coasts develop and
change.
29
In our second article to mark the

2011 European Year of Volunteering
celebrations, we look at how
volunteering can improve your health
How to
feel good
People who volunteer are healthier, both physically

and mentally.
That was the finding from American research conducted in
2009, which suggested that folk who volunteer for around
100 hours per year or some two hours a week gain
the most benefits to their health. And the findings were
backed up by a similar study for the Institute of Volunteering
Research, which also suggested there are mental health
benefits to be gained from volunteering.
Closer to home, a survey of volunteers at Loch
Leven National Nature Reserve in 2009 found that they
experienced a range of physical and mental health benefits
from getting involved. The sorts of comments they came
back with included:
I enjoyed talking to new people who have now become
friends, as Im normally a shy person.
It helps me keep fit and regular walking is required,
which helps with my heart.
I have to think of ways to solve various tasks and these
all help to exercise my mind the general chat with staff
and volunteers is also stimulating.
I like the challenge of working as part of a team.
Its helped to increase my confidence.
Here are some examples that may inspire you to get involved
after all, it only takes two hours a week!
30
Ideal tonic
Unfortunately, I lost my job a few years ago after a near-fatal
accident that left me no longer physically able to carry out
my normal everyday duties. I therefore had to consider some
other kind of employment and retraining.
Being a little unsure and frightened of my short- and
long-term future, I decided to apply for a place at Momentum
Scotland, which is a charitable trust (part-funded by SNH).
Its dedicated to helping people, like myself, whove suffered
a major trauma and want help in getting back into the
workplace.
My case worker luckily managed to secure me a voluntary
position at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve near Montrose.
Having previously worked for the Scottish Wildlife Trust
and RSPB, this opportunity provided me with a fantastic
foundation on which to build my future plans.
The reserve manager, Andy Turner, really encouraged
and supported me in getting involved with interpretation and
publicity for the visitor centre, shadowing new volunteers
and monitoring resident breeding birds, such as the
peregrines and fulmars. Whilst under his wing, I found the
whole experience an ideal tonic, thoroughly therapeutic
and a great escape from my considerable physical,
psychological and financial problems at the time.
It was whilst conducting the ongoing annual butterfly,
wild flower and bird hide surveys in summer 2010 that
I really began to improve my overall physical fitness and
general well-being. St Cyrus is a beautiful and relatively
large nature reserve, and tramping around for miles was a
wonderful way to keep in shape. It also offered us countless
opportunities for great wildlife watching. For example, one
afternoon we witnessed the magical sight of bottle-nosed
dolphins jumping, playing and feeding just offshore.
Im really looking forward to continuing in my honorary
warden role and being actively involved with projects this
coming year. I really love my voluntary position, and find the
work interesting, healthy, relaxing and stimulating. Working
outdoors and close to nature helps me put other things into
perspective and I have the added bonus that its mentally
and physically rewarding too!
Michael Craig, Aberdeenshire
1
A visit to St Cyrus NNR
is guaranteed to lift
your spirits.
www.snh.gov.uk
31
Health in mind
Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park near Wishaw, in North Lanarkshire, is
a local nature reserve. It includes a raised bog, as well as newly created habitats
such as native woodland and wildflower meadows.
Health is a critical issue in Wishaw, which is one of the most deprived areas in
Scotland, so its a real boon to have such a large, accessible and safe site nearby
for environmental volunteering.
Two volunteer groups maintain the site a conservation volunteer group and a
mental health group (the latter run along with the NHS). The mental health group
has been involved with Greenhead Moss for the past seven years.
Volunteers in this group have the chance to meet new like-minded people,
remarked Aileen McKean, community project officer with North Lanarkshire
Council. They also find it within them to be more confident, make friends and feel
part of something other than their mental state.
By working together, all the volunteers have become supportive friends to
each other. The occupational therapists who work with the group and Greenhead
Moss staff have all seen an improvement in personal confidence and overall
mental health.
The rangers at Greenhead now rely heavily on the volunteer groups to achieve
maintenance and management tasks. This helps maintain the park at a level that
visitors expect.
In return, the volunteers get into a structured life with a routine, which builds
their confidence and gives them a sense of achievement. I live locally and walk to
and from the park, explained Darren, one of the group. The exercise is important
to me and has helped my physical ability and frame of mind. I have a mental
illness and being at Greenhead Moss keeps me fit, and happy to be out with a
group of good people.
You can find out more about the site and the volunteers at
www.greenheadmoss.org.uk
2
Aileen McKean (left)
working with
volunteers at
Greenhead Moss.
3
Christina McLeay (right)
leading a health walk
near Blairgowrie.
4
Good for your health
and the environment
removing
rhododendron to help
native plants and
animals.
32
Ive gone from having

no confidence to my
confidence going
through the roof.
Walk and talk

Walking is a great way to stay healthy and active. Across Scotland there are
volunteers leading health walks that range from 10 minutes up to an hour. The
Walking for Health programme is designed to allow people to develop and
progress at their own pace, reaching whatever standards they set for themselves.
Christina McLeay has been a volunteer walk leader with Blairgowrie and
District Next Steps for five years. This involves leading the way, encouraging the
folk on the walk and generally keeping an eye on them. Christina prepared for the
role by attending a Paths for All walk leader course and first aid training. Christina
now leads health walks every week.
I really enjoy volunteering as a walk leader, Christina remarked. It gets me
out and about meeting people and helping them to be more healthy. The training
I received makes me confident to lead walks, and we have a brilliant network of
volunteers who support each other. It keeps me fit and healthy too, and I love
seeing people whove previously been slightly reluctant walkers coming on and
really looking forward to the next walk.
To find out more about Blairgowrie and District Next Steps go to
www.badns.org
To find out more about the Walking for Health programme in Scotland go to
www.pathsforall.org.uk/pfa/health-walks/get-walking.html
Open-air gym
If youve ever thought about improving your health and well-being but been put off
by running machines or Lycra, then you should take a look at the British Trust for
Conservation Volunteers. Their award-winning alternative, the Green Gym, offers
the opportunity to help the environment as well as yourself.
Experienced leaders guide you through a range of practical projects, giving
you the opportunity to tackle physical jobs in the outdoors. These aim to improve
your strength and stamina, and boost your practical skills and confidence, as well
as benefit your local green spaces.
Sessions generally last half a day, with most groups run on a week day or
weekend morning. Everyone works at their own pace and there are different jobs
and tools to try out. Youll learn about environmental conservation and ways to
improve your local surroundings.
Ive gone from having no confidence to my confidence going through the
roof, commented Fiona Hutcheson, a volunteer with the Fife Green Gym. Ive
just been learning so much loads and loads of things!
To find out more, go to www2.btcv.org.uk/display/greengym
www.snh.gov.uk
33
The capercaillie is one of Scotlands most

iconic birds. But the population is facing
challenging times, as Sue Haysom of
SNHs species group reports
Guardians of the pinewood

On first reading, the description of a capercaillie
seems the stuff of legend.
Its the worlds largest grouse, with the males weighing in
around four kilogrammes roughly the size of a turkey
while the females are about half that weight. So it certainly
seems apt that the Gaelic name for the bird is capall-coille
(from which the English word comes) meaning horse of the
forest!
The birds live in mature conifer forests and prefer
pinewoods where they eat conifer needles throughout the
late autumn, winter and early spring. This staple food is
added to with other plant material during the rest of the year.
In Britain, capercaillie occur only in Scotland. In fact,
the latest national survey found that three-quarters of the
population lives within Badenoch and Strathspey. The
research was carried out by RSPB and SNH in the winter
of 2009/10 and estimated the population at 1,228 birds.
This figure was widely reported as a decline from the
previous figure of 1,980 in 2003/4, but the difference wasnt
statistically significant.
Within living memory, this species was considered to
be a pest by some foresters, and in the 1970s there were
thought to be as many as 20,000. However, since the first
formal survey in the early 1990s, every estimate has been
between 1,000 and 2,000 birds.
So why are numbers so low? Well, capercaillie face a
range of pressures. First and foremost, theyre the victims
of weather patterns that have been influenced by climate
change. This year weve experienced an old-fashioned
winter, which rapidly turned to spring in April. This is ideal
for capercaillie, as it produces a flush of plant growth in
the spring, on which the females need to feed to get into
good breeding condition. However, these sorts of weather
conditions in winter/spring are the exception nowadays
rather than the rule. And the weather in June is critical too,
as the chicks hatch then and are at risk from cold and wet in
the first three weeks of their life.
Recent research by the Game and Wildlife Conservation
Trust, RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and
SNH updated an earlier study that looked at factors affecting
34
The capercaillie
became extinct in
Scotland in 1785. It
was reintroduced 50
years later using
Swedish stock and
flourished, but its
present only in low
numbers now.
www.snh.gov.uk
the number of chicks produced. The research found links with the weather
patterns already described, but also discovered that the number of chicks being
produced had declined over the 18 years studied.
Pine marten droppings had increased almost four-fold and fox almost
three-fold compared with the original work. When weather and predators were
considered together, there were fewer chicks produced when April was warmer
and in forests with more pine martens and crows.
We cant do much about the weather in the short term, but fortunately we can
act on other issues that affect them. These include the quantity of good habitat
thats available to the birds, the extent to which foxes and crows prey on them,
deaths from collisions with deer fences and levels of disturbance.
The number and size of partnership projects supporting this species shows
just how much the people of Scotland value this icon of our forests. Private land
managers have removed or marked 11.3 km of deer fences so far through the
Species Action Framework; the Forestry Commission Challenge Fund has dealt
with 220 km; and the EU-Life Nature Project sorted another 40.6 km. Weve also
created new habitats and improved others.
And theres little doubt that we can all help this wonderful bird. If you manage
conifer woods, you can alter your management to suit capercaillie they fit well
with other management aims and support is available to offset any costs. And
if youre a birdwatcher or just like walking or cycling in the woods, you can be
aware that theyre very sensitive to disturbance. Please follow local requests and
keep your dog on a short lead or under close control.
Capercaillie are often thought of as an umbrella species, which means that if
you protect a habitat that supports them, then a huge range of other species are
also protected. So you can consider yourself a guardian of the forest if you do
your bit to help capercaillie.
35
Reserve focus
The windswept dunes of St Cyrus might seem a little

inhospitable as winter storms wreak havoc along the
coastline. But an amazing range of hardy plants and
wildlife have made this harsh environment their home
Life on the edge

1
36
1
The cliffs and dunes at
St Cyrus support a
remarkable range of
wildlife.
Located mid-way between Aberdeen and Dundee, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve
has one of the most varied stretches of coastline in northeast Scotland. A 4 km (2.5
miles) sweep of golden sand is backed by the natural barriers of inland cliffs and
a seaward ridge of sand dunes. These protect the St Cyrus grasslands from the
ravages of the weather, creating a small strip of warmth for a huge variety of plants,
birds and insects.
The reserve musters an impressive 70 different species of breeding bird and over 300 kinds of
flowering plant. Many of the plants are rare or at their northernmost limit in the UK. This varied plant life
is a magnet for insects, with over 200 species of butterfly and moth recorded here. On a sunny day,
you might spot the gentle dance of a common blue butterfly or the red flash of a cinnabar moth, as the
reserve seems to be literally buzzing with life.
The reserve has a fascinating human history too, from the ancient kirkyard to the recent salmon
fishing industry. Salmon netting took place here for countless generations and the old net drying
greens can still be seen, along with a collection of bothies and icehouses once used by the fishermen.
One of the best ways to discover the area is to follow the self-guided Tyrie Trail (named after a local
lady who used to walk this route every day). Use the numbered map and directions in the text to guide
you round.
Reserve boundary
Bird breeding area
no access April to August
Visitor centre
Parking
Toilets
Tyrie Trail
Footpath/steep section
Main road
Minor road
Track
To Stonehaven
Wo o d s t o n
urn
Nether Woodston
Woodston
St Cyrus
BE
Church
AC
H
RO
AD
A9
Woodland
Cliffs
u
Unsuitable for
long vehicles
Graveyard
Scotston of
Kirkside
yards
Graveyard
Montrose
Bay
Kirkside
Cottage
Kirkside
former
fishing
station
Access for
long vehicles
River North E
sk
Former
icehouse
Footbridge
To
Montrose
0 kilometre
0
www.snh.gov.uk
Nether
Warburton
Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2011.

Based on Ordnance Survey mapping. Crown copyright
and database right 2010. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number SNH 100017908.
200
Kirkside
former
fishing
station
Viaduct
200
Kirkside
metres
mile
Visitor centre
37
1
Start at the visitor centre building, which was originally built in the late 1800s as
a lifeboat station. The line of the old lifeboat doors is still visible at the rear of the
building. The St Cyrus lifeboat only saw active service on a few occasions.
Nowadays, the visitor centre stands high and dry, but this was not always the
case. In the past, the River North Esk flowed north, past the visitor centre, and on
out to sea. On a stormy night in 1879, the river fuelled with flood waters from
melting snow crashed through the dunes and carved a course straight out to
sea.
Today, the visitor centre welcomes around 30,000 visitors each year. Follow
the fenced path from the visitor centre and down onto the reserve.
2
The smooth surface of
these rocks is
evidence that a river
once ran over them.
3
Look out for
stonechats, which
have a sharp loud call
that sounds like two
stones being tapped
together.
4
Mineral-rich volcanic
rocks have helped
create a rich variety of
plantlife on the
reserve.
2
A troop of Gurkhas built the wooden bridge in 1985 as a community benefit
training exercise, replacing an older bridge used by salmon fishermen. At that
time, sea water regularly flooded the flat land beneath the bridge. Sand dunes
have since formed and prevent the area becoming flooded, although it still
occasionally goes under water during a very high tide.
The stand of alder trees near the bridge has grown since the last big influx of
sea water in 2001. A particularly high tide brought both sea water and river water
from the River North Esk crashing onto the nature reserve. With it came alder
cones washed down the river. The alder have since thrived in the damp, sheltered
environment.
The reserve has a long history of salmon fishing, stretching back some 600
years. As you walk along the track towards the wooden footbridge, look out for
the piece of old railway track embedded in the bankside. The track was once
used to moor fishing boats!
Walk past the bridge and down to the grassy track alongside the reed beds.
38
Stop at the low rocky outcrop at the start of the track. These
rocks once formed the western bank of the River North Esk,
before it changed course. The force of the water rushing
past has smoothed the rocks, and small pebbles carried in
the water have ground out the round swirl pools on the top.
Walk on towards the tall reed beds. These are common
reed, and they come alive with the croaking of frogs and toads
in the spring time. The reeds can grow up to three metres
high and provide shelter for a host of birds. Listen out for the
grating call of reed bunting, the chat-chat-chat of stonechat
and, if youre lucky, the high-speed trill of a grasshopper
warbler, visiting from its wintering grounds in north Africa.
Continue along the grassy track, past some gorse bushes
that smell of coconut when theyre in bloom.
4
The towering cliffs in front of you are relict sea cliffs. During
the last ice age, the sea battered these cliffs daily. When
the ice melted around 8,000 years ago, the cliffs were left
high and dry, as the land rose after the release of the weight
of ice pressing down on it for thousands of years. Today,
the volcanic rock of the cliffs weathers easily, releasing
precious minerals into the soil. Its these minerals, together
with shelter provided by the cliffs, which help several plant
species survive at their northern UK limit here.
In spring and summer, the cliffs are home to fulmars,
which fly back from the sea to breed. They lay special
elongated eggs on the narrow ledges which, if knocked, spin
around rather than roll off the cliffs. Fulmars have a special
defence against predators they spit a very foul-smelling
fishy vomit, which is enough to deter the most determined
fox!
Peregrine falcons live on the cliffs year round. They
usually raise between one and three young, which can be
heard shrieking around the skies in early July. Peregrines use
a dive-bombing technique to kill their prey. They stoop from
great heights and reach speeds of up to 290 km per hour
(180 miles per hour) to catch their victim.
Take the broad path past the gate and towards the old
kirkyard.
www.snh.gov.uk
39
5
As you walk along, look down towards
the reed beds where you stopped
earlier. The route of the old river channel
is clearly visible. The old channel is very
low lying and stays wet for most of the
year. In the winter, rain water builds
up in this area. Wading birds, such
as curlew and oystercatcher, hunt for
worms in the wet ground.
The dry, sandy dune grassland
alongside the old river channel is awash
with colour in the spring and summer
months. Look out for vibrant purple
clustered bellflower, which is at its
northern UK limit here. Restharrow and
ladys bedstraw carpet the dunes in a
beautiful sea of pink and yellow.
Continue along the track back
towards the visitor centre.
40
6
The walk back to the visitor centre
passes two buildings on the left, both
of which have strong links with the
former fishing industry. The first is a
curious low building, built down into
the ground, with a grassed roof. This is
a former icehouse, now converted into
residential accommodation.
In the past, salmon fishermen would
cut ice from the frozen River North
Esk in the winter time and carry it to
the icehouse. The grassed roof and
earth surrounds of the building helped
to retain the cold and create a giant
refrigerator perfect for keeping fish
fresh before going to market!
The second and larger of the two
buildings is Kirkside Bothy. This bothy
was home to the salmon fishermen,
their nets and equipment until the
1990s. Commercial salmon fishing
ended at St Cyrus in 2007. However,
the legacy of the fishing industry is still
very visible, with several fishing bothies
located on the reserve and icehouses
on the cliffs at Woodston and Rockhall.
5
Common blue butterfly
resting on a clustered
bellflower at St Cyrus.
6
The reserve is never
more than 500 metres
wide.
St Cyrus is one of
over 50 national
nature reserves in
Scotland. Find out
more at www.nnrscotland.org.uk.
Essential information
St Cyrus is 6.5 km north of Montrose, off the A92 road.
Theres a bus service from Aberdeen and Montrose to St
Cyrus village.
The visitor centre and toilets are open daily from April to
October and Monday to Friday from November to March.
There are picnic benches, interpretation panels and leaflet
dispensers.
birds nest on the ground. Please keep your dog(s) under

close control or on a short lead at sensitive times and
comply with any notices you see. A short lead is taken to be
two metres, and under close control means the dog is able
to respond to your commands and is kept close at heel.
OS maps
You can download a leaflet about the reserve at

www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/publications.asp?reserve=29.
You can contact SNH on 01674 830 736.
Explorer 382 (Arbroath, Montrose & Carnoustie)

Landranger 45 (Stonehaven & Banchory)
Trail length
1.5 km (1 mile)
Terrain
The tracks are generally level, but some are grassed tracks
and are uneven in places. Theres a 30 cm step near to the
kirkyard, approximately halfway around the trail. The trail isnt
suitable for wheelchairs.
Dogs
Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and local
guidance at the reserve. Take extra care to avoid disturbing
birds, especially between 1 April and 31 July, when many
Further information
Nearby natural attractions

Montrose Basin is an enclosed estuary of the River South
Esk and provides rich feeding grounds for over 50,000
migratory birds each year. The Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor
Centre provides panoramic views across the basin, with
telescopes and remote cameras offering magnificent views
of the wildlife. You may spot sand martins in the man-made
sand martin bank, glimpse a kingfisher fishing in the pond
in front of the centre, or watch common and arctic terns
nesting on a floating tern raft.
The spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh some 5 km
south of Stonehaven are packed with 130,000 breeding
seabirds in the spring and summer, including guillemots,
razorbills and kittiwakes. You may also see puffins and
fulmars, and keep a look out too for grey seals, dolphins and
minke whales.
6
www.snh.gov.uk
41
SNH Area News

South Highland
Correspondents: Anne Murray, Kenny Nelson
Canal pal
Popular place
Art for health
People in the Highlands now have

someone to help them enjoy the
heritage and wildlife of the Caledonian
Canal, with the appointment of Stephen
Wiseman as environment and heritage
officer. Based in Inverness, hell be
working along the length of the canal
with local communities, schools and
visitors to encourage people to use and
care for the historic waterway.
The Caledonian Canal runs along
the Great Glen for 100 km (62 miles)
and was built in the 1800s, overseen
by the famous engineer Thomas Telford.
It passes through some spectacular
natural lochs, as well as a series of
man-made channels and lock systems.
A key role for Stephen is to increase
the number of people enjoying the
canal, and his work will include setting
up and supporting walking groups,
volunteers and photography projects,
as well as involving rural skills classes
from local high schools. The post is
managed by the Waterways Trust
Scotland, and supported with funding
from LEADER, the Heritage Lottery
Fund, SNH and British Waterways
Scotland. Local communities are
backing the project, which will provide
training opportunities for local people,
along with another boost to local
tourism.
Its proved to be a busy spring at Creag

Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, for
both wildlife and visitors. The annual
survey of black grouse on the reserve
recorded 72 males, a record number.
This was good news for visitors who
came along to our guided black grouse
watches and were rewarded with good
views of the lek, the mating display
of the birds. Although black grouse
numbers can vary from year to year, its
an encouraging sign, and we hope that
the birds will benefit from the increase
in native woodland on Creag Meagaidh.
Like all national nature reserves, a
key part of the management is about
enabling people to visit and enjoy
nature first hand. Reserve manager
Rory Richardson is delighted that over
3,000 people visited Creag Meagaidh
this spring.
Weve recently upgraded the car
park and put in new low-level paths,
he commented, so there are more
opportunities for people to access and
enjoy the reserve. Creag Meagaidh has
lots to offer, whether youre looking for
a mountain experience or are happy to
take a short stroll and admire the views
from afar.
A new community-based programme

helping people face up to mental health
challenges has been backed by SNH.
Highland Print Studio in Inverness is
an open access visual arts facility that
specialises in printmaking and digital
imaging. Its developed a course aimed
at helping adults improve their mental
health through learning new artistic
skills and how to use them creatively.
Around 24 adults have been offered
places through a referral system set up
by Highland Council community mental
health team.
The natural world is central to the
course work and the people involved
go on field visits to seek inspiration for
their work (such as the example above).
Delivery of health and well-being is
one of SNHs core priorities and our
input of 5,000 funding has helped
get the project off the ground. The
rich Highland environment is a great
asset to health and well-being, so its
fantastic to see a local project making
the most of our outstanding local nature
and landscapes to improve peoples
health.
The project runs for a year and will
end with a final exhibition. Its hoped
that the participants will continue to
enjoy the environment and use the
studio to develop their own work after it
finishes.
42
SNH Area News

Tayside and Grampian
Correspondents: Annabel Drysdale, Ewen Cameron, Craig Nisbet
Birding hot spot
No fooling
What a view
One of northeast Scotlands top wildlife

watching sites is sporting a new bird
hide this summer. SNH will be looking
after the new hide at Forvie National
Nature Reserve, which has replaced the
popular one that the local council built.
The hide overlooks the Ythan
estuary at Waulkmill, a vast area
of mudflats, reed beds and nearby
fields. Bird life is plentiful here, with
the summer acrobatics of diving terns
and the determined stabbing of the
carrot-coloured beaks of wading
oystercatchers.
Inquisitive seals can be seen farther
out in the water, and over 22,000 pinkfooted geese have been counted using
the estuary and nearby fields. Visitors
also often see large numbers of other
birds such as lapwing, golden plover
and redshank.
The mud in front of the hide contains
millions of tiny shrimps, worms and
snails. These are a vital source of food
for migrating and overwintering birds,
making the hides location a terrific one
for bird watching.
The hide is now really comfortable
and light and airy inside, commented
Annabel Drysdale, Forvie reserve
manager. Its a great spot for people to
view the thousands of birds, including
ospreys, which come to the Ythan every
year.
What comes to mind when you think

about Scotland tartan, whisky, the
Loch Ness Monster, mist or midges?
Two scientists recently confirmed
the discovery of a midge completely
new to science that they first came
across some 10 years ago on our
national nature reserve at Loch Leven.
So what, you may think? Who needs
another species of midge?
Well, this is a non-biting one and,
irritating as midges can be, theyre
a vital food supply for other animals.
Loch Leven is renowned for its water
birds, as well as being one of the finest
trout fisheries in Scotland. Indeed, the
humble midge is such an important part
of our wildlife that its recognised in one
of the sculptures at Loch Leven (shown
above).
So the next time youre enjoying the
outdoors and being bitten, try to think
of all of the other midges out there that
arent biting you it will make you feel
much better! Now, if the non-biting
ones were to become more common...
In case you think this is a late April
Fools Day story, you can read about it
in the Dipterists Digest, volume 17 for
2010!
The recently completed heritage trail at

Loch Leven National Nature Reserve
leads from RSPB Vane Farm over the
River Leven and into the Levenmouth
woods. A gap in the trees there brings
the path close to the loch shore,
offering excellent views of Benarty Hill.
However, it also meant that walkers,
cyclists and dogs were disturbing
internationally important flocks of ducks,
geese and swans.
Inspired by new screening at RSPB
Vane Farm, 19 pupils from Hillside
Residential School at Aberdour in
Fife decided to help. They designed,
cut and installed 50 upright, local
Scots pine planks with help from their
teachers, along with SNH staff and
volunteers. They cut silhouettes of local
wildlife into the planks, including a lifesize wingspan of a sea eagle, a skein of
geese, a red squirrel and an otter. The
shapes allow visitors to view the loch
and its wildlife without disturbing them.
The animal silhouettes are quite
striking, commented Craig Nisbet,
Loch Leven reserve officer, and add
a fun feature to a quiet stroll in the
woods, as well as giving the birds
on the loch more cover. We really
appreciated the help and enthusiasm of
the Hillside students and teachers with
this project.
www.snh.gov.uk
43
SNH Area News

Southern Scotland
Correspondents: Sarah Eno, Cathy Mayne, Trevor Godden
Osprey watch
Introducing vendace
Scenery scoops award
Visitors to the Scottish Borders are in

for an even better wildlife experience
thanks to the new Kailzie Local
Area Wildlife Education & Discovery
(KLAWED) project. With support from
SNH and other funding partners, the
project has installed new state-of-theart, high-definition CCTV to provide
even more stunning views of osprey
nesting sites and other wildlife.
A full-time information officer is on
hand to expand education and training
events about the natural heritage, as
well as develop nature-based tourism in
the Tweed Valley. More people will also
be encouraged to train as volunteers so
that the two osprey centres can remain
open all year round, rather than just
seasonally. The project builds on the
success of the Tweed Valley Osprey
Project, which will continue to manage
the two centres.
Breeding ospreys only returned to
the Scottish Borders around 10 years
ago, and there are now over a dozen
pairs of these iconic birds in the area.
The two osprey watch centres are both
near Peebles: one at Kailzie Gardens
and the other across the River Tweed
at Forestry Commission Scotlands
Glentress Forest.
If you cant visit Glentress or Kailzie,
you can keep up with whats happening
via the Tweed Valley ospreys blog at
http://tweedvalleyospreys.blogspot.
com/
Loch Valley in the Galloway Forest Park

is the latest refuge for the vendace,
Britains rarest freshwater fish. A total of
70,000 eggs were recently taken from
the only remaining native UK population
in Derwentwater, Cumbria, and cared
for in a special hatchery until ready for
release into Loch Valley. Its hoped that
the young fish will thrive in their new
home and can eventually be used to
establish new populations elsewhere.
The presence of vendace, a small
herring-like fish, dates back to the end
of the last Ice Age nearly 13,000 years
ago. It has only ever been found in
four places in the UK. The only known
naturally occurring populations in
Scotland were in Castle Loch and Mill
Loch at Lochmaben, but these became
extinct during the last century.
At Lochmaben, it was once so
plentiful that clubs held an annual
fishing festival for the species. Their
disappearance was due to too many
nutrients being washed into the
lochs from sewage and fertiliser from
farmland, as well as competition from
introduced fish species.
Vendace are part of the Species
Action Framework. This presents
a strategic approach to species
management in Scotland, in which
SNH and partners have prioritised
32 species for targeted management
action.
Dumfries and Galloways National

Scenic Areas (NSA) project recently
won a prestigious planning award for
community involvement. Dumfries and
Galloway Council run the NSA project,
working closely with SNH, and take
action along with local communities to
care for the regions nationally important
landscapes.
The Glencaple village community
in the Nith Estuary NSA (pictured
above), for example, felt that planned
housing could detract from the villages
traditional house styles. The local
school worked with the NSA project
to produce an appraisal of the village.
The community council backed it, and
community volunteers came up with a
design statement that will be used to
guide future development in the village.
In another project, local residents
wanted to share and celebrate their
cherished views of the landscape
by creating new viewing areas. The
first three viewpoints have now been
created at Knocktinkle and Knockbrex
in the Fleet Valley NSA, and at
Gutchers Isle on the cliffs of the East
Stewartry Coastal NSA.
Many other projects are ongoing
or planned to improve and protect
the qualities of the regions nationally
important scenery.
44
SNH Area News

Argyll and Outer Hebrides
Correspondents: Roddy MacMinn, John Halliday, Mags Russell
Harris handbook
Five star piggery
Changing tides
A new guidebook is now available,

written and produced by the North
Harris Trust, which introduces the
spectacular natural history of the Isle
of Harris. The Hebridean island is
an incredible place, where the sea
and mountains meet off Scotlands
northwest coast, and golden shores
give way to a wild rocky moorland
pocketed with lochs and other
interesting nooks and crannies. It
offers some of the best and most
interesting wildlife watching anywhere
in the country, in a setting thats truly
inspirational.
The guide provides a broad
overview of the islands characteristic
wildlife, along with a map to help you
find it. Youll find a wealth of information,
whether youre interested in discovering
the mass of wild flowers of the machair,
spotting a golden eagle soaring over a
high peak, or seeking an otter foraging
for fish in the seaweed. In addition,
there are some really useful tips that
can help increase your chances of
experiencing the wildlife for yourself.
Published with support from
SNH, the guide is available from the
North Harris Trust and Tarbert Tourist
Information Centre.
Among the historic buildings on Taynish

National Nature Reserve is a piggery
that was built around 1800. Its situated
just off the coastal trail on the reserve
and is a prominent part of Taynishs rich
cultural heritage. The piggery even has
a sophisticated architecture, with the
building divided up into semi-circular
yards and pens with arched doorways.
The building has recently been
restored some way towards its former
glory by reserve staff Gordon Campbell
and Doug Bartholomew. When they
were clearing the site, they discovered
an old access track that runs under the
gorse and bushes. This has now been
resurfaced and the old cobbled flooring
has been uncovered after clearing
rubble from the pens and yard.
The piggery is now set to host
the Snapberry Take 3 photographic
exhibition in August, a collaborative
project with Lochgilphead High School
and part of the Artmap Festival in Argyll.
This exhibition will mark the completion
of the five star piggery. However, one
element will be missing from the event
the pigs but were sure they would
approve of the new dcor!
A major tidal energy project is to

be built in the Sound of Islay. The
development plan will see 10 undersea
turbines installed in the channel
between Islay and Jura (pictured
above), making it the largest tidal array
in the world.
The environmental consultation
process has seen some of Scotlands
top marine specialists working
alongside developers Scottish Power
Renewables to ensure that the marine
environment has been considered at
every stage of the project.
SNH provided advice to the
developers and the government on
what effect the seabed turbines might
have on the important harbour seal
population around Islay, as well as on
basking sharks and marine mammals. In
addition, the environmental study had to
consider birds and any special features
of the seabed.
This is an entirely new technology
located in an environment thats very
difficult to monitor, so theres a huge
amount to be learned from installing
the turbines. Marine environmental
monitoring will be put in place to
enable the renewables industry to
learn how best to place more devices
like this in the future. With careful
planning and consultation, it should be
possible to harness Scotlands wave
and tidal energy for economic benefits
while safeguarding our varied marine
environment.
www.snh.gov.uk
45
July
Events diary 2011
46
Saturday 2
Tuesday 5
Friday 8
Monday 11
Saturday 16
Wednesday 20
Friday 22
Tuesday 26
Friday 29
Guided Walks
Knockan Crag NNR
Sutherland
Join our geologist guide and explore one of

Scotlands top Earth science sites. Discover how
forces deep within the planet can cause great
masses of rock to slide up and over much younger
rock. Guided walks take place at 10am and 2pm.
Meet in the car park.
Tel: 01971 502 245
Saturday 2
Record Your Birds,

Bugs and Beasties
St Cyrus NNR
Aberdeenshire
Come along for an introduction to biological

recording and its importance. Then join us for
a walk around the reserve to see what we can
discover. Meet at the reserve visitor centre for a
walk from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Booking essential,
only 18 places.
Tel: 01674 830 736
Sunday 3
Fun Day
Muir of Dinnet NNR
Grampian Highlands
Lots of games, crafts and activities for all the family.

Based at the Burn o Vat Visitor Centre from 12
noon to 4pm. Booking not required.
Tel: 01339 881 667
Wednesday 6
Bugs and Beasties

Forvie NNR
Aberdeenshire
Delve into the pond and grass at the Forvie

Centre from 10am to 12 noon and uncover some
fascinating minibeasts! Well also see which moths
have gathered in the light trap overnight and then
release them. Booking essential.
Tel: 01358 751 330
Thursday 7
Family Day
Tentsmuir NNR
Fife
Come and join in a day of fun for all the family at

Tentsmuir Point, starting at 1pm. Booking essential.
Tel: 01382 553 704
Wednesday 13
Barefoot Hunt
Forvie NNR
Aberdeenshire
An amazing exploration of nature at the Forvie

Centre for 2- to 8-year-olds. Join sessions from
either 11am to 12.30 pm, or 2pm to 3.30 pm. Well
stop for a picnic too, so bring a snack. Booking
essential.
Tel: 01358 751 330
Sunday 17
Family Fun Day

St Cyrus NNR
Aberdeenshire
Come and join in the fun with lots of games and

activities for all the family. Meet at the reserve visitor
centre from 12 noon to 4pm. Booking not required.
Tel: 01674 830 736
Sunday 17
Hidden Jewels
Corrie Fee NNR
Angus
Spend the day from 11am to 4pm in the reserve

and discover the importance of its plants and
animals. Meet at the Glen Doll ranger base.
Saturday 23
Graffiti at the
Granite Hill
Cairnsmore of Fleet
NNR
Dumfries and
Galloway
Graffiti is often frowned upon, but not at this

unusual event. Take a walk between 10am and 3pm
around this upland site and gather inspiration as
you go. On your return to the visitor centre, show
off your artistic skills on our Graffiti Wall, which
will be then be displayed for all to see. Booking
preferred.
Tel: 01557 814 435
Sunday 24
Dragons and
Damsels
Loch Leven NNR
Tayside
Meet at Burleigh Sands from 2pm to 4pm for a

fun-filled opportunity to search out the beasts and
bugs of the reserve, and hunt down dragon- and
damselflies on the shores of Loch Leven. Booking
essential.
Tel: 01577 864 439
August
www.snh.gov.uk
Wednesday 27
Moths in the Morning

Muir of Dinnet NNR
Grampian Highlands
Discover the marvellous moths caught in the live

traps set up overnight on the reserve. Meet at the
Burn o Vat Visitor Centre from 10am to 12 noon.
Booking essential.
Tel: 01339 881 667
Saturday 30
Edibles and
Medicinals
Muir of Dinnet NNR
Grampian Highlands
Long before supermarkets and chemists, people

had to feed and doctor themselves with the plants
around them. Find out which plants they used and
try some wild foods! Meet at the Burn o Vat Visitor
Centre from 2pm to 4pm. Booking essential, only
15 places.
Tel: 01339 881 667
Tuesday 2
International
Travellers
Loch Leven NNR
Tayside
Join reserve staff in Kirkgate Park from 6pm to 8pm

to learn about the international bird haven at Loch
Leven, and discover the many species that travel
thousands of miles to nest here. Booking essential.
Tel: 01577 864 439
Wednesday 3
Saturday 6
Thursday 11
Monday 15
Thursday 18
Tuesday 23
Friday 26
Wednesday 31
Guided Walks
Knockan Crag NNR
Sutherland

Tel: 01971 502 245
Sunday 7
Forvie Fun
Forvie NNR
Aberdeenshire
Explore the wildlife and dunes of the reserve

between 11am and 3.30pm through activities and
trails next to the Ythan Estuary. Staff will also lead
mud dipping and will be on hand with telescopes
to allow a better view of the fabulous birds that
can be seen at this special place. Meet at the
waterside car park on the A975 at the Ythan, north
of Newburgh.
Tel: 01358 751 330
Tuesday 9
Osprey Walk
Loch Leven NNR
Tayside
Come to Burleigh Sands from 6.30pm to 7.30pm

and seek out ospreys fishing the rich waters of
Loch Leven and find out more about this iconic
species. Booking essential.
Tel: 01577 864 439
Sunday 14
Island People
Isle of May NNR
Firth of Forth
Theres a colourful history of people living on the

island. This visit will give you a vivid insight into
their lives through history. Boat leaves Anstruther at
1.30pm and returns at 6.30pm.
Tel: 01334 654 038
Sunday 17
Flowers of the Forest

Corrie Fee NNR
Angus
Improve your wild flower and tree identification

skills from 2pm to 4pm on a walk through Glen Doll
Forest with the ranger. Meet at the Glen Doll ranger
base.
Sunday 21
RNLI Fun Run

St Cyrus NNR
Aberdeenshire
Support the RNLI this summer at St Cyrus. There

are 10K and 5K runs to choose from. Every entrant
will be given a free t-shirt, plus a medal when they
finish. Meet at the reserve visitor centre at 10.30am.
Tel: Caryn Whitelaw

or Fiona Beaton on
01738 642 999
47
September
Events diary 2011
48
Wednesday 24
Lost Villages
Forvie NNR
Aberdeenshire
Join us from 11am to 2.30pm and discover the

secrets of Forvies past from the Bronze Age
to World War II. The shifting sand dunes have
revealed lost villages and mussel middens, so what
else could be hiding? Meet at the waterside car
park on the A975 at the Ythan, north of Newburgh,
and bring a packed lunch. Booking essential.
Tel: 01358 751 330
Sunday 28
Fungi Foray
Muir of Dinnet NNR
Grampian Highlands
Join fungi expert Liz Holden on a guided walk to

explore the fascinating fungi found on the reserve.
Meet at Burn o Vat Visitor Centre for a walk from
10.30am to 12.30pm. Booking essential, only 20
places.
Tel: 01339 881 667
Friday 2
Thursday 8
Guided Walks
Knockan Crag NNR
Sutherland

Tel: 01971 502 245
Sunday 4
Inside a Lighthouse
Isle of May NNR
Firth of Forth
A rare chance to see inside the lighthouse buildings

on the island and discover 350 years of lighthouse
history. Boat leaves Anstruther at 10.30am and
arrives back at 4pm.
Tel: 01334 654 038
Sunday 11
Beachwatch
Big Weekend
Forvie NNR
Aberdeenshire
The UKs biggest beach cleaning event is great fun

for all the family. Join us from 10.30am to 2.30pm
as we remove and record beach litter to improve
the state of the coast for visitors and wildlife.
Gloves, bags, litter pickers and refreshments will
be provided. Meet at the waterside car park on the
A975 at the Ythan, north of Newburgh.
Tel: 01358 751 330
Wednesday 14
Area Evening
Reception
Glencoe
All welcome (please check SNH website or local

Area office to confirm venue and timing).
Saturday 17
Fungal Foray
St Cyrus NNR
Aberdeenshire
Join fungi expert Liz Holden on a guided walk to

explore the fascinating fungi found on the reserve.
Meet at the reserve visitor centre for a walk from
2pm to 4pm. Booking essential, only 15 places.
Sunday 18
Fungi for Beginners

Corrie Fee NNR
Angus
Join the ranger and discover the variety of fungi

growing in Glen Doll Forest. Meet at the Glen Doll
ranger base.
Sunday 18
Fungi Foray
Loch Leven NNR
Tayside
SNH will be teaming up with local fungi expert

Tony Wilson at Burleigh Sands from 2pm to 5pm to
explore and record the variety of fungi around the
loch. Prepare for tales of mischief and destruction
as we learn more about this fascinating group of
organisms. Booking essential.
Tel: 01577 864 439
Thursday 22
Fir Forests, Beautiful

Birches and Amazing
Aspens
Muir of Dinnet NNR
Grampian Highlands
Join SNH staff for a walk through some of the best

of Deesides woodlands to celebrate International
Year of the Forest. Meet at Burn o Vat Visitor
Centre for a walk from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Booking essential. Cost 6 (includes tea and
scone in Dinnet after the walk).
Contact Active
Aboyne on 01339
885 222 or through
the booking form on
the website www.
activeaboyne.co.uk
Tel: 01674 830 736
Thursday 22
Area Evening
Reception
East Lothian
All welcome (please check SNH website or local

Area office to confirm venue and timing).
Saturday 24
Autumn Beach Clean

St Cyrus NNR
Aberdeenshire
Do your bit to keep St Cyrus beach beautiful by

helping collect the litter thats been washed ashore.
Gloves and litter pickers provided. Meet at the
reserve visitor centre for clean-up from 10am to
1pm. Booking not required.
Tel: 01674 830 736
Sunday 25
Seal Day
Isle of May NNR
Firth of Forth
This is the time of year when the seals return to the

island and this trip gives you a chance to find out
about their lives. Boat leaves Anstruther at 11am
and arrives back at 4pm.
Tel: 01334 654 038
Wednesday 28
High Tide Watch

Caerlaverock NNR
Dumfries and
Galloway
Join SNH staff from 11.30am to 1.45pm on

Scotlands largest wetland reserve as the incoming
tide covers the vast mudflats, pushing thousands
of wildfowl and wading birds inland in search of
shelter from the encroaching sea. Booking required.
Tel: 01387 770 275
New
publication
At a time of rapidly changing land use, climate change and
economic challenge, The Changing Nature of Scotland
provides a stock-take of environmental change across the
land, water and seas of Scotland. It draws on more than 40
papers and posters presented at a conference organised by
SNH and other agencies of the Scottish Government.
The book over 500 pages in length, with full colour
images throughout makes an important contribution to
our understanding of environmental change in Scotland,
and will have a broad appeal to environmental professionals
or anyone interested in nature. It provides a fresh overview
of research, policies and grass roots activities, as well as
suggesting what we need to do to secure a healthier future
for wildlife and people.
Due out in early August, the publication will cost 27.50
and can be pre-ordered now at www.tsoshop.co.uk/
bookstore.asp?FO=1252288 or tel: 0870 242 2345. It
will also be available to download from the website of the
publishers (www.tsoshop.co.uk).
e
Du
CNOS A5 flyer.indd 1
www.snh.gov.uk
!
on
So
t
Ou
18/03/2011 13:17:04
49
Scotland has a wealth of longer distance trails across the

country, and a new campaign is encouraging people to get
out and enjoy the best of them
By the way
Give Scotlands trails a try is the message being promoted in a new
campaign thats just been launched.
Twenty different routes are being publicised as part of the campaign and they
provide over 2,000 km (1,300 miles) of well-managed paths from the Borders
to the Highlands. They offer great opportunities to explore the best of Scotlands
nature and landscapes, as well as experience our dramatic history and culture.
Each trail is distinctively way-marked and largely off-road, with a range of
visitor services. All of them are at least 40 km (25 miles) in length and suitable for
walking or riding for multi-day outings and day trips.
50
Were producing a gazetteer promoting Scotlands 20 great trails, explained

Ashleigh Tooth, campaigns officer with SNH, and well be promoting it through
national newspapers and radio. The publication gives brief descriptions of the 20
trails, with a taster walk for each route.
VisitScotland are a key partner with us on this project and theyll be featuring
a campaign page on their website about the trails, she added. In addition, the
SNH website will carry maps, descriptions and imagery for each of the routes.
The trails can take several days to complete, but you can also enjoy them as a
day trip, weekend adventure or short break. Ranger-led events or health walks are
also regularly held on parts of them. Heres a quick introduction to our best big
routes.
From source to sea, you can follow some of our big rivers to their coastline.
Breathe in the heady summer scents, picnic on the river banks and enjoy the
opportunities to dip those hot, weary toes!
Annandale Way
Clyde Walkway
River Ayr Way
Speyside Way
If youre fond of seascapes and salty air, savour these trails with your favourite ice
cream. Sun, sand and seabirds aplenty as you saunter along these coastal paths.
Ayrshire Coastal Path
Fife Coastal Path
John Muir Way
Kintyre Way
Moray Coastal Trail
West Island Way
Walking on the West

Highland Way long
distance route at
Craigie Fort, Loch
Lomond.
Take a journey back in time with these historical trails. You can follow in the
footsteps of St Cuthbert, imagine the Gregorian singing in the Borders Abbeys
or, for the less saintly, hear the echoes of the marauding cattle thieves along the
Cateran Trail.
Borders Abbeys Way
Cateran Trail
St Cuthberts Way
Transport and travel fan? You can enjoy two canal towpaths, joined at the Falkirk
Wheel, as well as some of our old railway lines with these easy-going paths.
Dava Way
Formartine and Buchan Way
Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath
Union Canal Towpath
If its wild and wonderful you want, these trails have got it. Pack your sack and
experience some of Scotlands dramatic mountain and loch scenery.
Great Glen Way
Southern Upland Way
Three Lochs Way
West Highland Way
If you already enjoy going for short walks, then you should definitely give these
trails a try, added Ashleigh. They provide great opportunities to enjoy many of
Scotlands most iconic landscapes, and some of them also allow you to follow in
the footsteps of well-known historical characters.
www.snh.gov.uk
51
Restoring vision
Its billed as Britains most ambitious
conservation multimedia initiative ever!,
so whats it all about? Photographer Niall
Benvie explains
1
The pine marten is an
elusive woodland
predator thats
increasing in numbers
again, thanks to the
expansion of tree cover
across Scotland.
52
www.snh.gov.uk
53
You may already have come across articles in magazines about the 2020VISION
project, or perhaps heard colleagues mention it in passing or even seen images with
its logo attached.
Certainly, with the current glut of smartly presented environmental initiatives baying for our attention, it
would be easy to overlook 2020VISION. But that would mean you had, in fact, missed out on the big
one!
The project may only be sending a small shoot above the surface at the moment, but its drawing on
a massive rootstock of support and expertise. And, with careful cultivation, we believe that it will realise
its unique potential as a communication tool for the entire environmental community.
Unique, in this instance, is no hollow claim. 2020VISION, for the first time in the UK, pools the
talents of many of the countrys top photographers, outdoor writers, sound recordists and other
media professionals. The project aims to get them working with conservationists and scientists to
communicate one of the most pressing issues of our time: the need to stop and reverse the steady
decline in our natural systems. Fresh air and water, pollination, the carbon storage performed by the
seas, bogs and forests, productive soils and space for peoples imaginations these are all things that
a prosperous society relies on and which, so far, weve enjoyed for free.
But many of these systems and the ecologicial services they deliver are in a state of crisis.
The case for restoring them is an overwhelmingly economic one, and it therefore affects everyone in
society, whether they admit an interest in the natural world or not. After all, who wants to start paying
eco-taxes alongside VAT and income tax? For years, all the major non-governmental organisations
have been diagnosing whats wrong with wild Britain. 2020VISIONs role is to make sure that everyone
knows the cure through the stories told in its images, words and videos.
2
Scenes from the
seashore.
3
2020V posters point up
the benefits that
nature provides for us
all.
54
Not a hard sell

Its an ambitious goal, but one which Peter Cairns, a director of the projects parent organisation, the
Wild Media Foundation, believes is within reach. 2020VISION is talking to people in simple language
about the things that matter to them, such as security for their children, the sort of place they live in
and prosperity, he commented. All these things ultimately rely on having vibrant natural systems. In
many ways its not a hard sell, just a matter of helping people to see the link between the two.
The project is founded on the belief that the right mix of words and imagery can move people in
ways that traditional conservation messages largely fail to. All too often in campaigns, the images
come as an after-thought, when in fact they can play a pivotal role in their success or failure.
2020VISION isnt interested in preaching to the choir, and recognises that for most people,
nature conservation is pretty low on their list of priorities. It knows that telling people about species
and habitat loss makes little practical difference, and that people tend to act on emotion rather than
reason. Our audience is therefore a bit different from the ethically motivated one traditionally targeted
by conservation organisations. Street exhibitions, social networking and online community building will
be vital tools alongside print and broadcast.
The task of creating the materials needed to communicate the benefits to everyone of restoring
and reconnecting is now under way. A team of 20 of the UKs top wildlife and landscape still
photographers often accompanied by a videographer is travelling to 20 destinations along the
length and breadth of the UK. And weve got 20 months to get the job done. But its more than that.
2020VISION is exactly what it says: a vision for 2020 a call for action to restore Britains battered
ecosystems over the next decade.
www.snh.gov.uk
55
56
Reconnecting people
The aim is to produce a body of work that supports the idea
that wild places are good for us economically, physically
and spiritually. You could say that were the PR agents for
bees, bogs and barn owls, comments John MacPherson,
the projects audio visual designer. We aim to reconnect
wild places with each other and reconnect people with
wild places. And rather than simply producing beautiful
stand-alone images, much of the work is being shot with
audio visual production and exhibition potential in mind. The
potential for pictures to tell stories, too, is vital.
Scotland will, inevitably perhaps, feature heavily in
the projects outputs. Some locations, such as Assynt
and Coigach and Glen Affric, have been chosen for the
landscape restoration work taking place there, work that
aims to improve the quality of peoples lives as much as to
improve the natural environment. Trips to the Bass Rock and
the Inner Hebrides will highlight the local importance and
potential of ecotourism, while one focusing on the beavers of
Knapdale will explore the potential for managing landscapes
in a more hands-off way. And sustainable ways of managing
fisheries on Shetland may have lessons for other parts of the
UK.
Cities arent forgotten about either, and efforts under
way in Cumbernauld to reconnect habitats that have been
split apart by built-up areas will be documented. Then there
are the places special to Scotland that deserve celebrating
in their own right: the machair of the Outer Hebrides; the
astonishing variety of marine life around St Abbs; our own
temperate rainforest in the shape of Atlantic oak woods; and
the Great Bog of Sutherland or Flow Country.
2020VISION is all about working together and trying
to achieve something that no individual or organisation
can achieve alone a breakthrough in public thinking
about wild nature. And we can, as individuals as well as
organisations, take action to improve the wild places we
love and need. This is within our grasp. With serious support
from the organisations and companies that share its vision,
2020VISION will let many more people know that they too
have a stake.
4
We all need wild places
where wildlife can
survive and people can
connect, enjoy and
conserve.
www.snh.gov.uk
57
Kids only!
Its summer time, and with school holidays just round the corner weve
come up with a great idea that will keep you busy this summer
whatever the weather
Puppet Theatre
We want you to design and build your own puppet theatre.
Its based on a woodland theme, and you must decide on the main characters
for your show. It could be a fox, badger, owl or any other animal that you
might find in the woods. Youll need to write a script (story) for your puppets to
act out. Let your imagination run WILD! What do you think the animals get
up to in the woods all day long? On our website well show you how to make
your own puppets and background scenery, illustrating where the animals live.
For the show, we have an example script, instructions on how to make some
colourful no-sew bunting to decorate the garden, and even some recipes for
some great-tasting biscuits and cakes for your audience.
Have a look at our website to see how
www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/simple-pleasures/simple-activities
Invite your family and friends, or even perform in front of your teddies. If its
good weather, have your show outside and celebrate your achievements
with juice and biscuits for all.
58
59
60
1
High rainfall on the
west coast of Scotland
supports fragments of
a lush rainforest rich in
mosses, lichens and
ferns.
This autumn the Royal Botanic Garden

Edinburgh (RBGE) will celebrate the
International Year of Forests 2011 with an
exhibition, films, interactive activities and
a special Forgotten Forests website. Max
Coleman, science communicator at RBGE,
explores Scotlands own forgotten forest on the
west coast
Celtic rainforest
Im walking through oak and hazel woodland on the west coast
of Arran and stepping carefully to avoid damaging the springtime
bluebells and primroses. The sun is now out, but rain has made the
scene sparkle. Drops of water on the plants scatter the light in all
directions.
The trees themselves are low and sometimes twisted, giving the woodland a
fairytale character. A complex patchwork of mosses, small see-through ferns and
lichens covers the trunks and branches of the trees, and theres a huge variety of
colour and form.
Even at this time of year, when the trees are barely in leaf, the overall
appearance is of a lush green not normally associated with woodlands so early in
the year. Larger bushy lichens hang down, adding to the special character.
This kind of woodland is found only in patches along Scotlands west coast,
although it was once much more widespread. Sessile oak and hazel are the main
trees, but its rich in species that rely on the high rainfall that these western woods
experience.
In fact, the rainfall is so high that these woods are true rainforest. Scottish
rainforest might sound a bit far-fetched, as we tend to think of rainforest as being
tropical. But any forest where the annual rainfall is over two metres is technically
rainforest. Many areas of western Scotland have annual rainfall well above that.
The coastal fringes have the added benefit of gullies and ravines that help to
maintain high humidity. The fact that theyre also near the sea means that there
are no extremes of climate, and frosts and drought are rare. In the past, these
woodlands were often called Atlantic oak or oakhazel woodlands, but a more
vivid name thats becoming increasingly popular is the Celtic rainforest.
Scotlands Celtic rainforest is an example of a woodland type that exists in
relatively small high-rainfall areas around the world, including southwestern South
America, New Zealand, the northeastern Atlantic and southwestern Japan. Taken
together, these woodlands represent a small fraction of the global area covered in
tropical and sub-tropical rainforest.
www.snh.gov.uk
61
Isolated islands
Over thousands of years, Scotlands rainforest has dwindled as a result of human
activity. Today, isolated islands of habitat remain, and a major goal now is to buffer
these areas by planting and encouraging them to seed and grow naturally. Ideally,
this expansion will result in the linking up of some of the pieces, which should
help some of the rainforest specialists to move out from the islands of habitat
where theyve become stranded.
So what are the special features of the Celtic rainforest? The great biodiversity
of these woodlands is centred on the relatively small plants and fungi growing
on branches and tree trunks. These are called epiphytes, and theyre specialist
plants that use other vegetation, including trees, as surfaces on which to grow.
Epiphytes dont feed on the host plant and they gain most of their needs from
rainwater or mist. Many epiphytes favour a specific set of conditions and, as a
result, some of the most particular species can be quite rare within the Celtic
rainforest.
Epiphytes are also a major feature of tropical rainforests, appearing as orchids
and ferns that cover the branches of the forest canopy. However, in the Celtic
rainforest the main epiphyte groups are mosses, ferns and lichens. Indeed, many
of Scotlands rarer examples of these groups are restricted to Celtic rainforest.
The lichens are a specialised group of fungi that contain algae, and the RBGE
work on Celtic rainforest lichens is highlighting the importance of veteran trees
that are often called ancient forest. Certain lichens are so reliant on the stable
conditions here that theyre only found in the larger and least modified patches
of old-growth rainforest. The RBGE work should allow us to focus efforts on
the areas that are acting as the most effective strongholds for the rare rainforest
specialists.
The mosses and ferns also include species that are adapted to the particular
conditions of the Celtic rainforest. Its worth taking a closer look at the mosscovered trees and rocks as they reveal the species diversity that a casual glance
misses. In amongst the moss, you can find small ferns that have a moss-like
look to them, the leaves of which you can see through as theyre only a single
cell thick. Its not surprising that these plants depend on high humidity as their
leaves are so delicate and vulnerable to drying out. These are filmy ferns such
as Wilsons and Tunbridge filmy ferns and theyre representatives of a group of
plants more associated with the wet tropics.
62
2
Coastal winds and
relatively infertile soils
mean the Celtic
rainforest is dominated
by low contorted oaks
and hazel.
3
Wilsons filmy fern is
found on rock and tree
bark in the most humid
and sheltered
conditions.
4
Buckler ferns form part
of the ground plants in
a dense patch of Celtic
rainforest.
5
Large lichens known
as lungworts are very
characteristic of the
clean air found in the
Celtic rainforest zone.
Public awareness
Ask the public about the trees and forests of Scotland and most folk will tend to
think of pine and birch. And both Scots pine and birch certainly do form striking
and distinctive forests that have become icons of Scotland.
By way of contrast, the Celtic rainforest is often made up of much smaller
trees pruned by coastal winds, and it can look from a distance like dense scrub.
However, if youre surrounded by stunted oaks, with your head virtually in the
canopy, then its undoubtedly a unique experience, which can be in its own way
as spectacular as any Caledonian pinewood.
The importance of Scotlands Celtic rainforest is beginning to be more
widely appreciated. The particular conditions provided by this forest are partly
responsible for Scotland having such a high proportion of Europes mosses and
liverworts (about 1,000 species or 58% of the total), ferns (around 66 species or
45% of the total) and lichens (some 1,900 species or 37% of the total). These
are quite remarkable figures when you consider what a tiny fraction of the land
area of Europe falls within Scotland. So next time youre on the west coast of
Scotland, take a closer look at the forest around you and enter a miniature world
of botanical delights thats internationally important.
5
Raising awareness of forests around the world is the aim of the Forgotten
Forests website. Visit www.rbge.org.uk/forgottenforests to find out how you
can champion your own forest through short videos and images.
www.snh.gov.uk
63
Join our mailing list

We hope you enjoyed this issue of our FREE quarterly
magazine. If youre not on our mailing list or your address has
changed, then please spend a moment filling in this form. You
just need to pop the form in an envelope and post no stamp
required.
Please send the completed form to:

Customer Relations Team
Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House
FREEPOST RRBY-UACB-EGAY
Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NW
Please tick one of the following and

then fill in your contact details:
Please add me to the

mailing list
Organisation
Organisation
Name
Name
Previous address
New address
Town
Postcode
Email
Town
Id like the magazine to

go to someone else
here are their contact
details
Im on the mailing list but

my contact details have
changed
Please remove me from

the magazine mailing list
Postcode
Email
If youd prefer to email any changes

to your contact details, please send them to:
customerdetails@snh.gov.uk
SNH and your information

SNH holds your contact details on our Customer Database. We hold customer information
relating to the services we provide, including: publications, grant funding, events,
consultations, licences, management agreements and operational activities.
Where appropriate, we may use your information within SNH for other purposes, for
example sending you our magazine, inviting you to an event or asking for your feedback.
We do not sell, rent or lease our customer information to third parties. We occasionally
hire other companies to handle customer services on our behalf. These companies are
provided only with the information they need to deliver the service and are not allowed
to use it for any other purpose. SNH will not routinely disclose your personal information
to other organisations. However, we will, where appropriate, share your information with
other public bodies in Scotland that are involved in delivering services to you, such as the
Scottish Rural Development Programme.
Under the terms of the 1998 Data Protection Act you have the right to object to the use of
your data for any non-statutory purposes.
64
www.snh.gov.uk
Summer 2011
Blooming good
Gardening as
mental health therapy
2020V project
PR for bees, bogs
and barn owls
Art stopping
moments
Sculpture trail opens
on Fife reserve

Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland Summer 2011 Issue - 12

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Scottish National Heritage - The Nature of Scotland Summer 2011 Issue - 12

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

www.snh.gov.

Scottish Natural Heritage

The Nature of Scotland

Who will you nominate?

10 Providing tools for life

26 Holding back the invaders

30 How to feel good

You can contact SNH by

Argyll & Outer Hebrides

Editor: John Walters

A full list of our offices

Cover photo: Birds-foot-trefoil and daisies growing on the Benbecula

Inside cover photo: Machair is a Gaelic word, meaning an extensive,

Great Glen House,

Welcome page: South Uist coastline near Staoinebrig.

Other main offices

Map, 37 Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2011.

The Nature of Scotland

A plug for Edinburgh

The Nature of Scotland

The damsels can be superb at this season, especially the

The Nature of Scotland

Some other things to look for in summer:

Who will you nominate?

The Nature of Scotland

Scotland is home to some of the UKs rarest and most spectacular

Who do you know

Its these unsung heroes helping to preserve Scotlands precious natural

The Nature of Scotland

A warm welcome awaits anyone who enters Redhall Walled Garden

The Nature of Scotland

I was given dungarees and boots,

When I first came

The Nature of Scotland

Its inspiring to watch the garden

An ird a deas air an limh dheis

The Nature of Scotland

South on the right hand

The Nature of Scotland

Paths face challenges

Camping byelaws introduced

The Nature of Scotland

Storms batter birds

The Nature of Scotland

Nature is worth billions of pounds to the UK economy, according to a major new

Sea surveys study

The Nature of Scotland

1 Dornoch Firth yacht

I took this picture in early January near where

Give us your best!

Scientists and river managers are

The Nature of Scotland

A partnership of bodies including the Annan District

If this physical barrier proves to be successful, then

One of northeast Fifes natural treasures is the

The Nature of Scotland

In our second article to mark the

People who volunteer are healthier, both physically

The Nature of Scotland

The Nature of Scotland

Ive gone from having

Walk and talk

The capercaillie is one of Scotlands most