Category Archives: gardens

Taking Cumbernauld’s Wild Ways Well to a European audience

Posted on December 9, 2019 by

Making more use of Scotland’s outdoors as Our Natural Health Service is an initiative being led by SNH. Paul Barclay from The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), is part of the Cumbernauld Living Landscape team and delivers an innovative green health programme, … Continue reading →

Posted in active travel, gardens, green health, Green infrastructure, paths, Planning, Projects, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, urban nature, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Building with Nature – Greener Social Housing by Design

Posted on November 29, 2019 by

Scotland’s urban green spaces provide many benefits for people and nature – from opportunities to exercise; spaces to grow food; refuges for wildlife; and valuable services, such as managing flood water and mitigating the effects of air and noise pollution. … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, climate change, Community engagement, Flood management, Flooding, Flowers, gardens, green health, Green infrastructure, Natural Health Service, Planning, Projects, Research, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Sustainable Drainage Systems, Uncategorized, urban nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Mapping our species-rich grasslands

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

According to UK charity Plantlife, Britain has lost 97% of its species-rich grassland in less than a century. Hundreds of plants, fungi and invertebrate species rely on these important habitats – which in turn support healthy populations of birds and … Continue reading →

Posted in battleby, biodiversity, Cairngorms National Park, citizen science, Ecology, Flowers, Fungi, gardens, graduate placement, Habitat Map of Scotland, Land management, mapping, meadow, plants, SNH, Staff profile, Uncategorized, wild flowers, wild land, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Graips of Sloth: the List of Winter Gardening Don’ts & Dos

Posted on February 5, 2019 by

This week, our gardener at our Battleby office, Jim Carruthers, shares some great tips on what to do – and NOT to do – to keep our gardens in good shape over winter.  Many are tempted to atone for the excesses … Continue reading →

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Glasgow – the pollinator’s friend

Posted on August 21, 2018 by

As our largest city, with a rich industrial history, you may not immediately think of Glasgow as a place for pollinators. However, make no mistake: Glasgow is more than doing its bit for our pollinators, as SNH Pollinator Strategy Manager … Continue reading →

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How should you manage giant rhubarb in your garden?

Posted on August 2, 2018 by

Have you got giant rhubarb in your garden? A European-wide ban on the sale of this invasive non-native plant comes into force today. If you already have the plant, also known as Gunnera tinctoria, in your garden you can keep … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, citizen science, Community engagement, conservation, Flowers, gardens, invasive non-native species, Land management, plants, Projects, Uncategorized, wild flowers, wildlife crime, wildlife management | Tagged , ,

Our dear green spaces – let’s celebrate the Glasgow Wildlife Garden Festival

Posted on May 21, 2018 by

This year, RSPB Scotland is teaming up with partners and community gardens to celebrate Glasgow Garden Festival’s 30th Anniversary.  Scottish Natural Heritage are delighted to co-sponsor these celebrations.  Fiona Weir, RSPB Giving Nature a Home project manager, tells us why … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Birds, Festival, gardens, SNH, Uncategorized, Volunteering | Tagged , ,

The fruit is out there

Posted on September 29, 2016 by

Autumn … we explore the ‘Season of mellow fruitfulness’ with our  Rambling Brambler, aka Jim Carruthers, Battleby’s gardener. The time of brambling is upon us. You and yours should take advantage of this fine autumn weather and get out there … Continue reading →

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Species of the month – the narcissus bulb fly, a fly in bee’s clothing

Posted on April 7, 2016 by

In a few weeks your garden will be buzzing with bees, hoverflies and butterflies, all feverishly collecting pollen and nectar from your flowers. Bumble bees are some of the most conspicuous garden visitors, and easily recognisable by their coloration and … Continue reading →

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