Livestock
Country diary: South UistGuardian Unlimited | 07 Apr 2011The first wheatears have returned to the islands, and chiffchaffs and willow warblers are beginning to pass through on their spring journeys. A bright and sunny morning seems the perfect time to look for the newly arrived travellers. A short car tour and a lengthy walk turn up not even a fleeting...
Scotland | Local Issues Country Diary: StrathnairnGuardian Unlimited | 06 Apr 2011It seemed I needed more signs of spring as they are slow in showing this far north. So I climbed up through the birch and rowan woodland above the house and on to the main badger setts. The scene did not augur well as the gaunt, twisted, fallen and hanging branches of the birch trees seemed everywhere, forming a crazy pattern. No birds were calling, let alone singing, as I sat on a fallen tree overlooking the setts.
Scotland | Local Issues Scottish tidal power station gets approvalGuardian Unlimited | 17 Mar 2011Underwater power station to generate enough energy for 10,000 Hebridean homes, and some distilleries. The world's first major tidal power station is to be installed in a deep, but sheltered, channel between two Scottish islands, providing electricity for up to 10,000 homes.The array of 10 underwater turbines will be placed between the inner Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura, both well known for their malt whisky.
Scotland | Energy Efficiency | Energy Production | Renewable Energy Country diary: Ruthven, HighlandsGuardian Unlimited | 10 Mar 2011The plan was to look for wild goats on the moorland and scattered juniper woodland on the slopes adjoining the river Findhorn to see if the tribe of wild goats had any kids. The goats have their kids in late February or March so there was the possibility of seeing some despite the prolonged snow and ice of the past winter. The river looked in a sombre mood and seemed quieter than usual as if awaiting something to happen.
Scotland | Local Issues Country diary: South UistGuardian Unlimited | 25 Feb 2011Some time in the past all outward growing branches of the Rosa rugosa have been severely pruned. Bereft of summer's leafy covering, the hedge is revealed as a line of sad brown sticks covered with slender pale thorns. But even in this sorry state the rose is windbreak enough to afford some shelter from today's gale. In its lee, on ground still pockmarked by the trampling of cattle, is a song thrush.
Scotland | Local Issues Country diary: Loch FlemingtonGuardian Unlimited | 24 Feb 2011After a few weeks of being completely covered with ice, it was as if the birds on the highland loch were pleased with the open water. The birds were very vocal, with their various calls echoing across the open water. The commonest bird was the wigeon, with over 60 birds, and at first the dominant calls were from the drakes, with their musical whistles. Goldeneye were busy diving for food and in such calm water their splashing gave them away.
Scotland | Local Issues Country diary: South UistGuardian Unlimited | 11 Feb 2011High winds fling kelp plucked from the seabed on to the shore. In places successive gales have built up weedy deposits several feet deep. A tractor lurches and sways along the track. Held in the air above it, at the end of long jointed arms, is a wickedly spiked front-loader giving it the...
Scotland | Local Issues Country diary: Cromarty FirthGuardian Unlimited | 10 Feb 2011One plan was to look for mountain hares, to take some photographs. We would drive over some high ground on roads over the hills and use the car as a hide. The overnight fresh fall of snow thwarted this idea because, if the white winter coat of the hare can hide it from golden eagles, what chance would we have? So it was plan B and to the sea where eventually we ended up in the hide on the south side of this extensive firth on the east coast.
Scotland | Local Issues