Category Archives: wild flowers

Warrior’s Friendship

Valerian is a plant long utilised by herbalists in the Gàidhealtachd and beyond. Leugh ann an Gàidhlig I have written previously in this blog about how the meadowsweet is known in Gaelic tradition as a plant that once soothed the … Continue reading

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Carthan Curaidh

Tha an lus seo aithnichte do lighichean luibheach air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus tìrean cèin. Read in English Tha mi air sgrìobhadh mu-thràth mu dheidhinn an luis ris an canar Crios Chù Chulainn a tha aithnichte mar meadowsweet ann am Beurla. … Continue reading

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A new way to benefit nature on farms and crofts

Today’s blog, written by NatureScot agriculture officer, Kirsten Brewster, details a new trial in Scotland, which gives incentives to farmers and crofters to manage flower-rich meadows, help vulnerable populations of wading birds thrive, restore peatlands, and manage other nature-rich areas. … Continue reading

Posted in Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, biodiversity, conservation, Farming, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lockdown Nostalgia

Nature has helped many of us through the various challenges of the past few months. We’ve watched nature thrive through our screens and spent time observing life with fresh eyes and ears in our gardens and from windows. We’ve really … Continue reading

Posted in green health, Natural Health Service, Nature in art, paths, photography, plants, Uncategorized, urban nature, wild flowers, woodlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ponds for all!

Man-made mini-wetlands across Scotland provide oases for a wide range of wildlife in urban areas. To mark World Biodiversity Day, David O’ Brien from our Biodiversity team took a stroll around his nearest SuDS pond to see what he could … Continue reading

Posted in amphibians, biodiversity, Flood management, Flowers, gardens, Insects, Orchids, Sustainable Drainage Systems, Uncategorized, urban nature, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why we should love dandelions!

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

Remarkable achievements at Ben and Glen Nevis

Over the last five years, the Nevis Landscape Partnership has achieved what it says on the side of its bus – carried out a programme of 19 projects, with tremendous volunteer support. This £3.4 million scheme has had a tangible … Continue reading

Posted in Access, citizen science, Community engagement, conservation, Diversity, Ecology, Flowers, Lichens, mosses, paths, plants, Projects, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, Trail, Uncategorized, Visitor centre, Volunteering, wild flowers, wild land | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Leigheasann Tonn a’ Chladaich / Thrifty Gaelic Cures

Tha tonn a’ chladaich na leigheas airson dà thinneis, a rèir beul-aithris / Traditional lore identifies thrift as means of curing two ailments. Leigheas airson Trom-inntinn is Ceann-daoraich ’S e tonn a’ chladaich (ris an can cuid neòinean a’ chladaich) … Continue reading

Posted in coastal, Flowers, Folklore, foraging, Gaelic, History, Natural Health Service, sea life, SNH, Uncategorized, wild flowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mapping our species-rich grasslands

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The bountiful birds of St Cyrus NNR

Simon Ritchie has been working at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve since he was 16 – initially as a volunteer, he is currently employed as a Seasonal Reserve Officer. Simon  has previously written about his passion for the wildflowers of … Continue reading

Posted in Birds, coastal, Flowers, gulls, National Nature Reserves, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Staff profile, Uncategorized, Volunteering, wild flowers, Young people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment