Rural services

Shetland residents have supported a new research project looking at ways to help make the islands' population sustainable.

Households took part in a study investigating changing population dynamics and the role policy and place-based interventions can play to help create and maintain healthy and balanced populations in Shetland and other Scottish island communities.

A 45-strong cohort have begun their studies, with Sheila Voas, Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, among those to congratulate the group as the Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) School of Veterinary Medicine opened its doors in Aberdeen.

A new survey has been launched to find out from farmers, crofters and land managers what their preferences are for developing natural capital projects in group settings.

There are increased opportunities available to farmers and landowners to access nature markets, both individually and by coming together to deliver natural capital projects at the scale required to attract funding.

Fireworks can have a negative impact on those around us, including some people with sensory impairment and pets who can suffer stress and anxiety from the loud and sudden noises. Livestock also need to be considered as fireworks can cause distress and spook animals. 

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provide the following advice to carefully consider: 

Firework Safety

Restoration work on a crumbling disused building once hidden away in the middle of a forest on Scotland’s west coast has reached the stage of the building now “starting to resemble a bothy, minus the roof”.

There is still time to take part in a Scottish Government (SG) consultation on the proposed implementation of charging for single-use disposable beverage cups in Scotland, with responses accepted up until the closing date of Thursday 14 November 2024.

The Countryside Trust has announced an invitation to tender for a ‘Rainforest bryophytes survey and assessment’, which will support the first delivery phase of Wild Strathfillan nature restoration project.

Funding has been awared through NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund for ‘Lochside to Mountain-top', the first delivery phase of Wild Strathfillan.  

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) have announced details of their annual Gathering event for 2025.

The event will take place on 4 and 5 February at the EICC in Edinburgh and will be Scotland's biggest celebration of the voluntary sector.

The Scottish Agritourism Conference 2024 will take place at Perth Concert Hall on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th November 2024.

The conference is an annual celebration of the agritourism sector, open to anyone with an interest in growing agritourism in Scotland including Scottish Agritourism members, farmers considering agritourism, economic development agencies, destination marketing organisations, local and national government representatives, suppliers to the sector and sector supporters.

MSPs have backed legislation giving councils a new power to introduce a visitor levy that would raise funding for local visitor facilities and services.