Wildlife presenter Chris Packham fears the UK is facing ecological disaster. From recycling roadkill to tackling wildlife crime, he tells Gayle Ritchie – “it’s time for us to act”
Sunshine, showers and a rainbow arching over Strathmiglo; a picture perfect reflection of a Scottish autumn as we sat on the summit of West Lomond following a leisurely hike up from Holl reservoir near Leslie.
St Andrews is perhaps best known as the home of golf, but it is also a town with a turbulent history, one of religious persecution, murder and execution and the historic sites that bore witness to these troubled times offer a fascinating insight into the past.
JFK was said to have commented: “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride”, but that purity of an image, a rider and their bike with just the winding trail heading off into the wilderness is changing rapidly in our technology driven times.
There is mounting evidence that children who regularly play outdoors, especially in nature, are smarter, happier and healthier. This comes as no surprise to staff and parents of Wee Wild Sparks Outdoor Nursery in Coupar Angus, Perthshire.
Brambles, haws and elderberries, a verge-side scattering of scarlet and black fruits hanging heavy on bushes and forming a bountiful larder along this narrow lane in Strathdevon.
Pauline Smith is photographer in residence at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve. Her shots capture the cartoon-like quality of bugs in stunning detail, as Gayle discovers
Ben Chonzie, Crieff, Perth & Kinross
The story of the Bell Rock lighthouse – a miracle of engineering – is almost the stuff of legends. Caroline Lindsay discovers the very real story behind this famous tower.
Washing down your mountain bike after a particularly muddy ride makes good sense; it keeps the parts running smoothly and ensures that your prized steed will be riding trails for many years to come.