Links to information, and reports of projects and inquiries from associate organisations will appear here.
Carbon Conference - 20th & 21st April - Moffat
Carbon in the Uplands - threats and opportunities
Papers from this conference will appear on the Heather Trust's website, as they become available. Click here for the link
Waders on the Fringe
Why nationally scare waders flourish on grouse moors
Scientists from the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust spent nine years studying the effects of predator control on the breeding success of threatened moorland wading birds. The Upland Predation Experiment, which was undertaken on moorland in Northern England, is one of the longest running studies of its kind ever undertaken. Although this research was carried out in Northumberland, scientists consider that it is also has relevance to the Scottish uplands.
The full report can be read here
Rural Scotland in Focus Report 2010
SAC have launched their first report in what is intended to become a series of reports, published by SAC, on the state of rural Scotland. It presents the latest evidence about the way that rural Scotland is changing and provides a commentary on specific issues, challenges and opportunities across the economic, environmental and social landscape of Scotland's rural areas.
"What future for upland biodiversity?" is addressed in chapter 8 of the report, which can be downloaded through this link.
Golden eagles in Scotland: proposals for additional Special Protection AreasRoseanna Cunningham is expected to make a public announcement regarding proposals for up to six additional SPA's for golden eagles in the north and west of Scotland. Read more here
Red grouse and the Tomintoul and Strathdon Communities
A report on the benefits and impacts of the grouse shooting industry from the rural community perspective has been funded by The Scottish Countyryside Alliance Educational Trust. Research has been conducted by the Centre for Mountain Studies UHI - Perth College. The report is available to download here
The author of the report, Dr Rob McMorran, was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland's Out of Doors Programme on Saturday 14th November.
The Woes of Hill Sheep Farming
The Farmers Weekly has produced a short (6 mins) video detailing the problems facing hill sheep farming in Scotland. It can be viewed here
Biodiversity Scotland
Details about the Scottish Biodiversity Forum's Working Groups are available on the Biodiversity Scotland website
Scottish Rural Development Programme
Information and guidance on the SRDP 2007-2013 can be found here
Asulox Information - 6th April 2009
There has been some confusion about the status of Asulox, for the control of bracken. This has prompted United Phosphorus Ltd., to release a statement to clarify the situation. The statement can be read here
Bird Atlas 2007-2011
Bird Atlas 2007-11 ( see http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/ )is an ambitious project being undertaken by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), BirdWatch Ireland and the Scottish Ornithologists' Club (SOC) to map the distribution and relative numbers of all bird species across the UK, in both the breeding season and the winter moths, and provide measures of changes over the last 20-30 years. It will provide the most comprehensive set of ornithological information to inform conservation and land management policy and action in future.
Alongside the Bird Atlas, BTO and SOC are keen to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved in bird recording in Scotland - it is simple and fun and you do not need to be a bird expert to make a really valuable contribution. With funding from SNH and The Gillman Trusts, the BTO/SOC "Building Bird Monitoring in Scotland" project is providing free 'survey taster days' with training around Scotland. There are special days aimed at encouraging land managers and hillwalkers to get involved (see the current course programme at http://www.bto.org/regional/bto_scotland/bbms/training.htm).
Langholm Moor Demonstration Project
Information on the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project can be found through the link:
http://www.langholmproject.com/
SAC publishes "Farming's Retreat from the Hills"
In August 2008, SAC published a report which highlights the dramatic decline in sheep numbers in the Scottish hills. To read the report, follow the link:
http://www.sac.ac.uk/mainrep/pdfs/retreatfromhillsfullreport.pdf
NFUS release their Manifesto for the Hills
In September 2008, the NFUS released a publication which proposes policy solutions to the decline in hill and upland farming, focussing on making better use of the existing funds. To read more, click here
Royal Society of Edinburgh Inquiry
The final report for the RSE's Inquiry into Scotland's Hill and Island Areas was released on 8th September 2008.
