Environment

Scottish Forestry has confirmed that the Windblow Contingency Plan has been stood down in Scotland.

Farmer-led groups are recommending the Whole Farm Plan to support farmers and crofters in taking a holistic view of their businesses.

By establishing their current performance and activities, farmers and crofters can identify opportunities for improvement and work towards greater productivity and profitability, positioning their business to contribute to meeting Scotland’s climate and nature targets.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has commented on publication of the land-based learning review Implementation Plan setting out how Scottish Government will respond to the 22 recommendations in the Review.

Last week saw the launch of the second round of the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund (Monday 20 January 2025), which supports community-led project groups in Scotland to develop local nature restoration projects.

Research into existing models of community climate action hubs in the UK and internationally has been publised by Scottish Government. 

Following an increase in the number of detections of avian influenza (bird flu) in wild birds and other captive birds, the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer from Scotland and Chief Veterinary Officer from England have declared a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and other captive birds.

The red carpet will be rolled out across Scotland next week for one of the UK’s wildest living landscapes and all its fantastically boggy inhabitants.

The Met Office has issued an amber and red warnings for high winds, covering most of Scotland, running from 6am on Friday 24th January through to 9pm that night.

A yellow wind warning is in place for the whole of the country throughout Friday, and a yellow warning for snow also runs from early Friday morning until noon.

The Great Yellow bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) was once widespread throughout Great Britain. Habitat loss, however, has driven its decline and it can now only be found in northern Scotland in Orkney, Sutherland and Caithness, and some of the Hebridean islands.