Ninian Crichton Stuart, the Hereditary Keeper of Falkland Palace in Scotland will be leading a debate “Succession: How can farmers and owners best let go and pass their land onto future generations?” at a farming festival called Go Falkland at Falkland Estate on July 1. At the event, Ninian will discuss his plan to pass the estate to the community He talks in terms of “laying … [Read more...] about Time up for Scotland’s hereditary landowners?
climate crisis
Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way
It’s an early evening in mid-April and I’m walking through a spring-green birch forest in Glen Cannich, a dozen miles west of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The trees are dripping with silver-grey lichen, and mosses abound; birdsong is everywhere, and the air feels strikingly pure and fresh. There are beautiful views through the trees and bracken to the river and fields … [Read more...] about Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way
Scotland does not need nuclear energy
On BBC Scotland’s evening news show “The Nine” last week, an energy consultant called Kathryn Porter told viewers that energy-rich Scotland would be in big trouble in terms of energy security without nuclear power. It is necessary, she said, to provide a baseload supply when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. Porter appears to be the sole employee of a company … [Read more...] about Scotland does not need nuclear energy
One snort for hello?
Her poor old neck is still a little twisted. But she’s a survivor, our Mrs Swan, and today as always she comes to the bank, sunshine bouncing off her snowdrop-white feathers, head on one side with a look of expectation. Has she come for a chat? I’m learning to speak swan. According to several websites the Mute Swan has many sounds and signs to get their message across, as … [Read more...] about One snort for hello?
From Big Oil to Big Wind
The world has a limited time to deal with the climate emergency - Scotland has a part to play. There is urgency. Glaciers are melting fast. And yet what seemed like good news - a successful auction of deep-sea sites for floating wind off Scotland’s coast - went down like a bucket of cold seasick with many commentators last week. The amount of power that could be generated … [Read more...] about From Big Oil to Big Wind