Scotland - news

 

Hillhead Pupils Tackle Climate Change	Pupils from Wick’s Hillhead Primary visited Rumster Forest last week, (Wed 25 June) to do their bit to help tackle climate change.
Holiday Fun For Aberdeenshire Children	Parents looking for ideas for children's summer holiday activities are in for a treat thanks to Forestry Commission Scotland.
Joint Effort Aims To Tackle Fly-Tipping	Cyclists, horse riders and walkers are being enlisted to help ensure that Lochaber’s forests stay clean and litter free.
A Summer Of Fun In West Argyll	Keeping the children occupied during the summer holidays is no easy feat, but Forestry Commission Scotland in West Argyll has a host of summer activities to help keep boredom at bay.
Enchanted Forest Organisers Expect Sell Out Show As 2008 Theme Launches Them Into Space	Big Tree Country, the organisers of Scotland’s premier sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, have announced they expect this year’s event to attract over 20,000 visitors, setting a new record for The Enchanted Forest that is now in its seventh successful year.
Young Bikers Clean Up At Glentress	A group of young mountain bikers got their gloves on for a litter pick at Glentress this weekend (Saturday 21 June) - and filled a pick up truck in only one hour!
Kirkcaldy Gets First For Fife With 'Tree In The Park'	A celebration of trees, forests, woodlands comes to Fife for the first time this weekend (Sat 5 + Sun 6 July).
Get Fit In The Forest - July Walks At Countesswells	People in Aberdeen are being encouraged to get out into the forests to unwind and take part in some healthy exercise.
Rumster's Annual Rumble, Ramble And Ride	Need some ideas for keeping the children occupied during a summer afternoon?
Get Back To Nature In Mabie Forest	Nature-lovers in Dumfries will have a great opportunity to get close to their local wildlife this weekend.
Schools' Orienteerers Explore Bennachie Forest	Over 250 pupils from the Inverurie area took a step in the right direction recently when they took part in a fun-filled orienteering event.
New Line Up At Ae	Ae forest is set to be one of the best venues for outdoor activities in the south of Scotland, with the opening of a new Ae 7stanes centre and additional mountain bike trails.
Grampian Regional Forestry Forum Signs Up To Tackling Climate Change	Members of the Grampian Region Forestry Forum were given an informed insight into how best to tackle the impact of climate change at a recent meeting in Huntly.
Climate Change Clues Reviewed In New Research Note	A new Research Note published by the Forestry Commission reviews data collected over many years from Alice Holt Research Forest in England and explores the evidence for the impacts of climate change and pollution and their interactions with land management.
Statistics On Woodland Area, Planting And Restocking Published	The latest National Statistics from the Forestry Commission show that nearly half of the UK's woodland is certified as sustainably managed, including all woodland managed by the Commission and the Forest Service of Northern Ireland.
Heroes Required For Dragon Quest In Dornoch Woodland	The call has gone out to young adventurers from across the area to unsheath their swords and dust down their quarter staffs for a heroic quest taking place in Camore Forest near Dornoch.
Step Up For Woodland Walking In Castlemilk	Residents in Castlemilk are being encouraged to step out the front door and enjoy the many woodland walks that can be found in the local area.
Woodland Volunteers Helping To Make Scotland A Greener, Healthier Place	Forestry Commission Scotland is expanding the opportunity for volunteers to make a difference in Scotland’s woodlands.
Touchwood History Project In The Great Glen	The hidden history of forestry in the Great Glen - home of the Forestry Commission - and the memories of the people whose efforts have made it a success are featured in a new booklet and DVD, launched in Fort Augustus today (Friday 30 May).
Finest Woods Award Winners Celebrate Success	Pupils and teachers from Glasgow’s St Joan of Arc Special School are celebrating scooping first prize in this year’s Scotland's Finest Woods Schools’ Awards.
St Kentigern's Academy Success In Finest Woods Awards	Pupils and teachers from Bathgate’s St Kentigern’s Academy are celebrating their success in this year’s Scotland's Finest Woods Schools’ Awards.
Get Fit In The Forests – June Walks At Kirkhill And Bennachie	People in Aberdeenshire are being given the chance to work towards a healthier lifestyle by taking part in Fit in the Forest walks in June.
New Huntly Office Boosts Forestry Commission Scotland's Green Building Credentials	The best of Aberdeenshire’s resources, skills and craftsmanship are showcased in a new eco-friendly Forestry Commission Scotland office at Portsoy near Huntly.
Castlemilk Pupils Celebrate Forest School Success	Pupils from Castlemilk High School are shouting from the tree tops about the success of their Forest School by organising a celebration day for the community.
James Pendlebury Appointed Head Of Forest Research	Dr James Pendlebury has been appointed chief executive officer of Forest Research, the scientific research and technical development agency of the Forestry Commission.
Views Wanted On Local Forestry	Forestry Commission Scotland is keen to share their plans for the future direction of forestry around Dumfriesshire and would welcome feedback from local people and businesses.
Osprey Chicks Hatched In Tweed Valley	Osprey Watch staff are "thrilled to bits" at the news that two osprey chicks have hatched in the Tweed Valley.
Glasgow Forest School Leader Training	Outdoor education in Glasgow got another boost recently when 16 professionals got to grips with loppers, saws and an outdoor classroom as they worked towards becoming qualified Forest School leaders.
Cyclists Go Off-Road In The Sunart Oakwoods	Mountain biking enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels can unwind from watching the thrills and spills of this year’s World Cup event by taking advantage of a new series of trails through Sunart Oakwoods.
Volunteers Serve Up Mushroom Pie At Glentress	Volunteers working at Glentress Forest near Peebles have just launched a "tasty" new piece mountain bike trail which stretches 280 metres long.
Statistics On Timbers Prices And Wood Production And Trade Published	The latest National Statistics on Timber Price Indices and the latest National Statistics on UK Wood Production and Trade (provisional results) produced by the Forestry Commission were released today (15 May 2008) in accordance with the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
Doggie Orienteering At Bennachie!	Orienteering in Aberdeenshire’s forests will get another boost this week when Forestry Commission Scotland will be encouraging some four footed visitors to tackle a special orienteering event in Bennachie Forest.
Actions To Boost Renewable Energy Forms In Scotland	A number of key actions to boost the use of biomass for renewable energy in Scotland have been announced today (Friday 9 May) by Environment Minister, Michael Russell, as he visited the Boiler House site, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, to view a new biomass boiler funded by the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme.
Forestry Commission Appoints Jean Lindsay As Head Of Hr	Jean Lindsay has been appointed Director of Human Resources at the Forestry Commission.
Scotland's Forests To Open Up For Woodland Crofts	Woodland crofts are set to become a feature of Scotland's landscape as communities across the country take advantage of new guidance published by Forestry Commission Scotland today (Thursday 9 May).
Project To Protect Newts	An innovative wildlife project in Yair Forest, near Selkirk, is using a specially constructed fence to help protect great crested newts.
New Guidance On Estimating Deer Populations	The Forestry Commission has published new guidance on estimating the numbers of deer in woodlands, in 'Bulletin 128: Estimating deer abundance in woodlands: the combination plot technique'.
Fish And Chips - Woodfuel Business Boosts Fish Stocks	A unique project in Argyll that links forestry and aquaculture is demonstrating how small rural communities can benefit from renewable energy projects.
Communications Boost For Forestry	Forestry Commission Scotland has strengthened its communications and secretariat team with the appointment of Sheryl May as its new Head of Communications.
Osprey Hat-Trick!	The Tweed Valley Ospreys have got off to a flying start this spring. Having returned, from their African migration right on time in early April, they are already in the ‘family way’.
Woodland Planting Boosts River Revival	Pupils from Blairgowrie High and the Royal School Dunkeld will join forces with Forestry Commission Scotland today (Tuesday 29 April) to plant over 200 trees as part of a major conservation project at Birnam.
Castlemilk Residents Get Back To Nature With Bushcraft Skills Course	The busy housing estate of Castlemilk was the unlikely venue for a Ray Mears-style outdoor skills course recently (April 19 & 20).
Forestry Commission To Establish Centre For Forestry And Climate Change	The Forestry Commission is to establish a centre for forestry and climate change to co-ordinate research into and action on the forest sector's role in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Banchory Forests Ready To Rumble	Forests south of Banchory will be the scene of some high speed rallying excitement next weekend (Saturday 26 April) when the 2008 Granite City Rally revs into action.
Get Fit In The Forests - Series Of May Walks At Back O'bennachie	People in and around the Garioch area are being encouraged to get their walking shoes on and stride towards a healthier lifestyle with the help of local forest rangers.
Boost For Blue Route At Glentress	Families who are new to mountain biking are encouraged to try out the new sections of blue graded mountain bike trails at Glentress in the Scottish Borders.
Forestry Commission Scotland In The Scottish Borders Are Barking Up The Right Tree	Dog owners in the Scottish Borders are invited to Cardrona forest on Saturday 26 April to receive some handy hints and tips on walking your dog in Scotland’s forests.
New Funding To Boost Woods For Learning	Using woodlands as a learning environment is now set to be much easier for groups, private and public organisations and schools in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire thanks to a new grant.
Action To Improve Scotland's Protected Woodland Sites	Forestry Commission Scotland has published (April 2008) a multi-agency plan to improve the ecological condition of woodland sites that lie on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
Bushcraft Course - Learn To Survive In The Wilds	Aberdeenshire residents will next month have the chance to take to the woods and learn some survivial skills thanks to a special, two-day course backed by Forestry Commission Scotland.
Forestry Commission Publishes Revised Guide To Timber Measurement	The Forestry Commission has published a revised and updated edition of its popular Field Guide to Timber Measurement.
Scottish Folklore Reflected In Mysterious Sculptures	Southern Scotland's myths and legends are set to be reflected in seven stone sculptures which have been installed across the 7stanes mountain bike centres, as part of a drive to encourage people to visit Scotland's forests.
Dumfriesshire Folklore Reflected In Mysterious Sculptures	Local people are encouraged to put their best foot forward and take part in the quest to help crack the mystery of the 7stanes.
Mountain Bikers Encouraged To Step Up To Arts Challenge	Mountain bikers are encouraged to get in the frame by taking part in a photography competition organised by the 7stanes - with the chance to bag a camera wort
Borders Folklore Reflected In Mysterious Sculptures	Local people are encouraged to put their best foot forward and take part in the quest to help crack the mystery of the 7stanes.
Liddesdale Folklore Reflected In Mysterious Sculptures	l people are encouraged to put their best foot forward and take part in the quest to help crack the mystery of the 7stanes.
Bird's Eye View On Mull	Visitors to Mull are in for a bird's eye view of the island's rare white tailed sea eagles as the new wildlife watching hide opens for business.
Stranraer To Design Its Own Community Woodland	The communities of Stranraer are being given a unique opportunity to design, build and shape the future use of a new community woodland for the town.