Category Archives: Scottish Natural Heritage

Why we should love dandelions!

Posted on May 11, 2020 by NatureScot

The dandelion is not much loved. But Therese Alampo, Manager of St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, is here to tell us the many reasons we should appreciate these cheery, early spring flowers… The humble dandelion is one of the first … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Flowers, gardens, National Nature Reserves, photography, plants, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moths on the move

Posted on May 5, 2020 by NatureScot

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

Cnò Mhoire agus ar n-Eadar-cheangaltas / ‘Mary’s Nut’ and our Interconnectedness

Posted on April 28, 2020 by NatureScot

Tha cnò iongantach, air a bheil fèill, a’ cur nar cuimhne mar a tha an cuan mòr gar ceangal ri chèile thar na cruinne / A celebrated West Indian bean found on Scottish strands reminds us of how ocean currents … Continue reading →

Posted in beach, beaches, coastal, Folklore, Gaelic, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A year of walking the John Muir Way

Posted on April 24, 2020 by NatureScot

In celebration of the John Muir Way opening six years ago this week, Vicki Mowat, SNH Communications Officer, reflects on  her journey walking the John Muir Way.  I’m remembering this walk fondly during the lockdown – and certainly hoping to … Continue reading →

Posted in Access, active travel, Green infrastructure, John Muir, long distance routes, Natural Health Service, paths, Scotland's Great Trails, Scottish Natural Heritage, Trail, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uilebheistean a’ Chuain / Gaelic Sea Monsters

Posted on April 2, 2020 by NatureScot

An e fìor chreutairean a bh’ anns a’ chionaran-crò agus cìrean-cròin? / Are the great Gaelic sea-monsters merely creatures of myth? Uilebheistean Iongantach a’ Chuain Tha creutairean car annasach nar dualchas a tha a’ fuireach fon mhuir, leithid mhaighdeannan-mara agus … Continue reading →

Posted in coastal, Folklore, Gaelic, History, mammals, Marine, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Highlights from our Year of Coasts & Waters poetry competition

Posted on March 10, 2020 by NatureScot

Our Coast Lines of Tentsmuir poetry project has just had its wonderful finale at StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, at St Andrews’ Byre Theatre. Molly Aldam has been with SNH on a graduate placement since September, working to connect a … Continue reading →

Posted in art, beach, beaches, coastal, Community engagement, Competition, graduate placement, Marine, Nature in art, poetry, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, seals, SNH, Uncategorized, Year of Coasts and Waters, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#YCW2020 – Take a dose of nature’s medicine at Tentsmuir

Posted on February 26, 2020 by NatureScot

Tentsmuir NNR is a magical coastal reserve, with dynamic dunes and a vast foreshore that looks different at every visit.  The reserve includes Morton Lochs – inland lochs which provide great habitat for a range of birds, butterflies and red … Continue reading →

Posted in beach, beaches, coastal, coastal erosion, Community engagement, National Nature Reserves, Natural Health Service, Scottish Natural Heritage, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized, Year of Coasts and Waters, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Outdoor learning and a life caring for the natural world.

Posted on February 6, 2020 by NatureScot

Chris Mackie is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport.  His research – the first to be funded through Scottish Natural Heritage’s Magnus Magnusson studentship – asks whether outdoor learning can foster … Continue reading →

Posted in conservation, Natural Health Service, Outdoor learning, Research, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, urban nature, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forvie NNR – the first 60 years

Posted on February 3, 2020 by NatureScot

Forvie has long been a special place. Back when people started to settle near the mouth of the river Ythan at the end of the ice age, it was a place rich in wildlife – or food as it would … Continue reading →

Posted in coastal, conservation, Forvie NNR, National Nature Reserves, Outdoor learning, Research, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Uncategorized, Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ardnamurchan’s unique day-flying moth

Posted on January 23, 2020 by NatureScot

Each year in early summer, volunteers from various parts of Scotland travel west to survey a rare, striking and elusive day-flying moth – the New Forest burnet, at the only site it occurs in the UK.  Since becoming extinct in … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, citizen science, climate change, conservation, Ecology, Flowers, Insects, Land management, moth, Projects, Protected Areas, Research, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Species Action Framework, SSSI, Uncategorized, wildlife management, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment