Category Archives: Argyll National Nature Reserves

The Space Between Us

Markus Stitz is an Edinburgh-based filmmaker, photographer, writer and founder of Bikepacking Scotland. While used to going solo on his cycling adventures, Markus values the community around backpacking greatly and in his latest film explores the difference between social and … Continue reading

Posted in Access, active travel, Argyll National Nature Reserves, cycling, National Walking and Cycling Network, Natural Health Service, paths, sustainable travel, Trail, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moths on the move

Mike Thornton, SNH Operations Officer for the Forth Area, describes how integral moths are to Scotland’s biodiversity, and why it’s crucial to know how their populations are changing. I lift the egg cartons out of the moth trap, slowly revealing … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, biodiversity, citizen science, climate change, conservation, Ecology, moth, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating National Nature Reserves at the Scottish Parliament

Late last month, our National Nature Reserve (NNR) staff gathered for an evening reception in Scottish Parliament’s Garden Lobby to celebrate Scotland’s amazing array of nature reserves and the many benefits they provide to us all.  We were joined by … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, National Nature Reserves, Taynish NNR, Young people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Find autumn gold in Scotland’s National Nature Reserves

Autumn, with its depth of colour and light, is a fantastic season to get out and explore our mountains, forests and coasts, especially if you’re looking for ideas to get the kids active during the school break. Scotland’s wonderful National … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, beaches, Beinn Eighe NNR, Birds, coastal, deer, Flanders Moss NNR, Glasdrum NNR, green health, Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, mushrooms, National Nature Reserves, Natural Health Service, Noss National Nature Reserve, photography, Rum NNR, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Taynish NNR, The Flow Country, trees, Uncategorized, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The fruits of Snapberry

Caroline Anderson has been coordinating the Snapberry project since 2009.  Snapberry uses photography to connect school pupils with the natural landscape of Argyll. It is a collaboration between local Scottish Natural Heritage staff and Lochgilphead High School.  Under the expert guidance … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, art, National Nature Reserves, Natural Health Service, Nature and technology, Nature in art, photography, SNH, Taynish NNR, Uncategorized, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#CycleForNature – 6 legs down, one to go!

We left Francesca midway through leg 6 with the sun in her eyes, as she sailed west towards Islay on ferry number three of the week…. Thursday dawned bright and breezy; first stop was SNH’s office in Bowmore where I … Continue reading

Posted in Access, active travel, Argyll National Nature Reserves, Community engagement, Cycle for Nature, cycling, Flood management, Flooding, Fossils, Geology, History, National Nature Reserves, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#CycleForNature leg 6 — west as far as Islay

Leg six of #CycleForNature started at the beautiful Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, where the dramatic scenery includes Munro summits, an exposed whaleback ridge and ice-carved gullies. It’s been another packed schedule for Francesca, as she describes below. I spent … Continue reading

Posted in Access, active travel, Argyll National Nature Reserves, Creag Meagaidh NNR, Cycle for Nature, cycling, deer, MPA, National Nature Reserves, National Walking and Cycling Network, Natural Health Service, Priority Marine Features, SNH, SSSI, Staff profile, Uncategorized, Volunteering, wildlife management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Butterflies of the night, beautifully captured.

Having a keen personal interest in macro photography, Caroline Anderson jumped at the chance to use her Volunteering Day to help reserve staff with a moth trap at Taynish National Nature Reserve. Caroline, a Unit Administrator based in our Lochgilphead … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, art, biodiversity, citizen science, conservation, Insects, moth, Nature in art, photography, Staff profile, Taynish NNR, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taynish through the eyes of an artist

Jane Smith, a local wildlife artist, describes her inspirational year as Artist in Residence at Taynish NNR and all its natural riches. Our village is a cluster of houses around an Argyll sea loch. On the far side of the bay … Continue reading

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Scotland’s Nature weekly

We thought we’d try out a different approach to our blog posts.  Rather than a blog dropping into your inbox three times a week, you’ll receive one notification but with two or three stories to enjoy. We’d love to hear … Continue reading

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, Scotland's Great Trails, seals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment