Katharine Hay

A proposed 489-hectare commercial forest near Hawick has entered public consultation. The Whitslaid development would comprise mainly conifers and, alongside the nearby Todrig proposal, could create almost 1,000 hectares of predominantly Sitka spruce forestry around Ashkirk. Local campaigners and the Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk and Midlem Community Council warn of risks to biodiversity, black grouse, local landscapes and the area’s farming heritage, and question the consultation and use of public funding. Scottish Forestry says the scheme would meet the UK Forestry Standard, provide timber, jobs and carbon storage, and include measures to prevent Sitka spruce spreading into open habitats. The agency is also awaiting a revised Todrig application after a court ruled its previous approval unlawful for failing to require a full environmental impact assessment. The Whitslaid consultation closes on 8 September 2026.

Milk deliveries across the UK have fallen 4.8% year-on-year, creating a projected shortfall of about 1.61 million litres per day and potentially driving prices up by 30% or more. Prolonged heat and drought in southern England have reduced grass growth, caused heat stress in cattle and depleted winter feed stocks, prompting English buyers to seek supplies from Scottish dairy farms. Mossgiel Organic Farm has sent about 26,000 litres south and received requests for more, but cannot meet the additional demand. Farmers and the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers warn that some herds may need to be reduced, while Bryce Cunningham criticizes the UK Government for failing to prepare for a forecast drought. The government has announced £65 million in support for English farmers, though Scottish producers argue they face similar pressures and should also receive assistance.

The Green Welly Stop roadside destination in Tyndrum, Stirlingshire, has been put up for sale after 61 years of family ownership. Founded by Les and Betty Gosden in 1965, the business has expanded into a major Highland stop featuring cafés, shops, fuel facilities, whisky sales, traveller amenities and staff accommodation. Managing partners Edward and Fiona Robertson described the sale as an emotional but timely decision and said they hoped a new owner would preserve the site’s heritage, support its staff and maintain its role in the community. Christie & Co is handling the sale, though the asking price has not been disclosed.

Scottish farmers may face waits of up to four weeks for bluetongue vaccines after BTV-3 was detected in a bovine animal in Dumfries and Galloway, following earlier cases in three sheep and a lamb. Veterinary officials and agricultural groups are advising livestock owners to pre-order vaccines through local practices because demand has depleted stocks and manufacturers need time to produce more. Four farms near Creetown have now been affected, although more than 100 other animals tested negative and officials say it may take another week to assess wider spread. The Scottish Government is working with manufacturers to mobilize additional supplies, while authorities are urging farmers to vaccinate susceptible animals and accurately report doses through ScotEID.

Japanese macaque Luka returned unaided to his enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie after escaping overnight on Sunday. A search involving thermal-imaging drones was ended once he was safely back, and park keepers and veterinary staff will assess him before reintroducing him to his troop. The incident recalls the 2024 escape of Honshu, dubbed “Kingussie Kong,” who was later moved to Edinburgh Zoo because reintegration into his original group was considered too difficult. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said it did not know how Luka escaped but had strengthened fencing and changed management protocols after the earlier incident.

Katharine Hay recounts a week walking through Argyll and around Loch Fyne, including a restorative yoga session at West Coast Wellness and a hospitable stay at the Kilfinan Hotel. Route plans are repeatedly disrupted by unsafe roads and unavailable ferries, leading her through Portavadie, where she works from a marina hotel, receives complimentary breakfast and enjoys a massage. A failed attempt to view a solar eclipse is offset by the unexpected sighting of a basking shark in Portavadie Harbour before she finally boards a ferry toward the Mull of Kintyre.

Mowi has received approval from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for a 2,075-tonne fish farm at Tabhaigh East on Loch Erisort, east of Lewis. The company says relocating production farther out the loch and closing its North Shore West permissions will reduce interactions with wild salmon and lower its environmental footprint. WildFish disputes that claim, arguing the new site could spread waste and chemicals more widely and increase the risk of storm-related escapes, while criticizing Scottish regulation and continued industry expansion.

Campaigners in Scotland and Ireland are calling for a cross-border heritage and pilgrimage route celebrating St Columba, his followers, the spread of Christianity and the development of Gaelic culture. Although Iona is strongly associated with the sixth-century saint, researchers argue that his wider Scottish legacy—particularly in Inverness, the Highlands and Pictish territories—has been overlooked. Gaelic advocates believe a coordinated route linking sites in Ireland and Scotland could strengthen cultural, linguistic and religious ties, while Inverness’s Cultarlann Inbhir Nis is considering a display or memorial dedicated to his influence.

The National Trust for Scotland has objected to ScottishPower Renewables’ proposed MachairWind offshore wind farm, which would feature either 91 or 144 turbines off the west coast of Colonsay and northwest of Islay. The trust says the £3 billion development would be too large and wrongly located, with significant effects on views from Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, as well as on wildlife, heritage, marine mammals and tourism. It also questions the application’s baseline data and assessment of socio-economic impacts. ScottishPower Renewables maintains that the project would provide clean power, strengthen energy security and generate long-term economic benefits, including local employment and community funding. The Scottish Government will make the final decision on consent following advice from its Marine Directorate.

A Cairngorms National Park wildfire that has burned for more than two weeks changed direction because of shifting winds, sending smoke toward Aviemore. Residents and visitors were advised to keep windows, doors, car windows and air vents closed if they smell smoke. Around 30 firefighters, six appliances, helicopters and partner agencies continue tackling hotspots and deep-seated fires after the blaze destroyed roughly 25 square kilometres of moorland and forestry. Evacuations, road closures and access restrictions remain in place, although controlled access has been arranged for people attending the Refuel Christian festival at Badaguish.

A wildfire in the Cairngorms National Park prompted Police Scotland to declare a major incident and evacuate all residents of Nethy Bridge as strong winds caused the flames to spread. More than 500 firefighters, estate workers, conservation groups, helicopters and specialist vehicles are involved, but difficult terrain and changing weather continue to hinder containment. The fire has burned at least six square kilometres, including Caledonian pinewood habitat, while nearby businesses face major losses from closures and travel restrictions. Opposition politicians accused the Scottish Government of responding too slowly and called for military support and a formally coordinated emergency response; First Minister John Swinney urged residents to follow emergency-service advice and observe exclusion zones.

A major incident was declared after a wildfire in Cairngorms National Park spread toward Nethy Bridge, forcing the evacuation of the village’s roughly 600 residents to a respite centre in Aviemore. More than 500 firefighters, supported by helicopters, landowners, conservation groups and other agencies, are battling the blaze, which has burned at least six square kilometres of woodland and heather, including Caledonian pinewood habitat. High winds and changing conditions have caused renewed flare-ups and smoke extending toward Aberdeen. Opposition politicians criticized the Scottish Government for not declaring an emergency sooner and urged military assistance, while First Minister John Swinney told residents to follow emergency advice and observe exclusion zones. Local businesses are reporting major financial losses during the peak tourism season.

Cruise Loch Ness has invested £2 million in the 236-seat Voyager of Loch Ness after demand for its tours exceeded available capacity. The refurbished vessel, which includes upgraded passenger facilities and sonar monitors, raises the company’s capacity to more than 450 passengers per hour and creates four jobs. The family-run Fort Augustus operator says the investment will protect its long-term future, support tour partners and meet strong demand from international and domestic visitors, despite a post-pandemic decline in Chinese tourism.

Rural leaders urge the Scottish Government to ease new muirburn licensing rules and secure guaranteed helicopter support after a major wildfire at Cairngorms National Park exposed delays in aerial assistance. Scottish Land and Estates warns that reliance on private helicopter operators is unsustainable and advocates dual‑purposing public‑sector aircraft and expanding drone use. Concerns are also raised that the forthcoming muirburn licensing system is too burdensome and may hinder wildfire prevention, despite government assurances that the process is robust and manageable. A recent study shows most wildfires occur outside managed moorlands, strengthening calls for more flexible regulation and improved aerial firefighting capacity.

A Highland fisherman and world casting champion has adapted graphene technology from high‑performance fishing rods to create outdoor clothing that appears to deter ticks without chemical treatments. Testing began after a stalking trip in which graphene‑infused garments remained tick‑free, prompting further trials confirming the material’s anti‑tick properties. The graphene fabric also offers temperature regulation, durability and moisture control, and features in a new clothing line developed with Atacama Design. Growing public health concerns about tick‑borne Lyme disease in Scotland underscore the relevance of the innovation, and Mackenzie Fly Fishing plans to expand the technology to other outdoor and protective gear.

John Swinney is visiting the Cairngorms wildfire site amid mounting criticism of Scotland’s wildfire preparedness and aerial response capabilities. The government faced scrutiny after an early request for helicopter support was declined and ministers described the blaze as contained shortly before aircraft were deployed. Rural groups warn that Scotland lacks a dedicated aerial wildfire unit, while the Scottish Conservatives cite rising wildfire risk levels and call for a national rescue unit. The SFRS maintains it was properly resourced and that helicopter deployment decisions depend on incident assessments. Growing concerns reflect increasing wildfire frequency following major incidents in recent years.

A large wildfire in the Cairngorms continues to create dangerous and unpredictable conditions, prompting the closure of car parks and facilities on the Mar Lodge Estate as firefighters, helicopters and specialist teams work to contain the blaze. The fire, which began near Ryvoan Bothy, has spread across several square kilometres affecting RSPB and Forestry and Land Scotland terrain. Community leaders and land managers criticised the Scottish Government for prematurely describing the fire as contained and urged a reassessment of wildfire prevention strategies, including debates over muirburn, rewilding and vegetation management. Environmental groups raised concerns about potential damage to rare species and regenerating habitats, while volunteers, estate workers and emergency services maintain a coordinated response to halt the fire’s spread.

Experts urge Scotland to adopt wildfire prevention methods used in southern Europe as rising temperatures increase fire risks. Catalonia’s successful use of goat grazing to clear flammable vegetation and create natural firebreaks is highlighted, along with the value of prescribed burning and muirburn to reduce fuel loads. Advocates also support rewetting peatlands to slow fire spread. Researchers note that human activity and climate change are driving increased wildfire risk, particularly in peatlands and woodlands. Rural specialists argue that proactive land management combining grazing, controlled burning and landscape restoration will be essential to limit future wildfire damage.

Two helicopters were deployed to support more than 50 firefighters and partner agencies battling a large wildfire in the Cairngorms, which has burned around four square kilometres over several days. The request for aerial support followed concerns from organisations on the ground who disputed a government minister’s earlier claim that the fire was contained. Evacuations, road closures and business disruption occurred as the blaze spread through sensitive pinewood habitats. Authorities continue efforts to contain the fire, establish firebreaks and manage public safety while monitoring the risk of further spread.

Warnings from wildfire experts, community leaders and land management groups highlight the risk of a looming wildfire disaster in Scotland as crews battle a large blaze in the Cairngorms National Park. Firefighters continue efforts to contain the fire, which has prompted evacuations and raised concerns about inadequate resources, recruitment shortages and budget cuts within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Critics argue that lessons from previous major fires have not been implemented, while calls grow for improved land management, greater investment in firefighting capacity and earlier deployment of aerial support. Government officials state the fire is contained and resources are sufficient, though local residents dispute this as the fire continues to spread across forest and upland terrain during a period of extreme wildfire risk.

A wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy in the Cairngorms has expanded across several kilometres, forcing the closure of an A9 lane near Dalnaspidal due to smoke. Conservation land owned by RSPB Scotland and Forestry and Land Scotland has been damaged, prompting appeals for helicopter support. Homes, campsites and ski facilities around Glenmore Forest Park have been evacuated, and emergency crews continue to work under challenging conditions. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area as wildfire risk across Scotland remains high.