William hails importance of communities on visit to woodland on Mull
William and Kate came suitably dressed for a trip to Ardura Community Forest on the Isle of Mull and spent time with an early years outdoor learning play group and their parents.
The couple celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on Mull on Tuesday and were congratulated on the milestone as they mingled with families the next day, as three and four-year-olds ran around at their feet.
Chatting to one father, William said: 'That's what we've lost, the ability to come together and know your neighbour,' and he went on to say: 'You can get lost in the cities.'
Kate crouched down to speak to some of the children learning about their environment through simple tasks like gathering flowers and den building, and she later played with the youngsters by the neighbouring River Lussa, as they threw sticks into the clear running water.
Jan Dunlop from the Mull and Iona Ranger Service hosted much of the visit, and she said later about the couple: 'I think they loved it, I think they really did.
'Catherine would have stayed all day and you could see when she got to the water, that was it.'
Grants provided by William's conservation umbrella group United For Wildlife's Nature Protectors initiative will fund Ms Dunlop and a colleague's ranger roles for a year.
Ardura forest is one of Scotland's most precious habitats which has been central to the way of life for generations of Mull families, and William pointed out the ferns growing on trees in the 'temperate rainforest' when he chatted to one couple.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I'm changing my baby's name after two weeks or I would hate myself forever'
A mum revealed how she and her husband instantly regretted the name they've picked for their baby as soon as they got home from hospital. Now she wants to change it to avoid 'hating' herself Choosing a name for your newborn is one of the biggest decisions you'll have to make. There are so many things to take into consideration, from the name's meaning to any potential embarrassing nicknames that could come from it. Ultimately, the decisions of what to name your baby is down to you, but most people want to choose a name they think their child will like as they grow up. But just two weeks after the birth of her daughter, one mum is already regretting the moniker she has chosen for her. And despite officially registering her name, she's considering changing it, or she'd risk "hating" herself forever. Social media content creator Kate, who often shares DIY videos online via her @ TikTok account, recently asked her 44.4k followers if it was "controversial" to change your newborn's name after leaving hospital. "I don't know, but we're going to do it or I'm going to hate myself for the rest of her life," she concluded. Kate explained that they will be legally changing their two-week old newborn's name because as soon as they came home from the hospital they had "instant name regret". The mum explained that they had struggled to come up with a name for their baby the entire pregnancy, so when the "birth certificate lady called" saying she'd be coming in 30 minutes to pick up her information, they went for something they thought was "safe". Kate said they picked a family name, Margaret, which was her husband's grandmother's name. They initially thought they could find a nickname that fit her because she "just doesn't look like a Margaret". But despite trying things like Midge, Margot, or even Molly, they just couldn't find anything. "Every time I look at her I just want to burst into tears because her name is Margaret, and she doesn't look like a Margaret, and I don't like the name. I don't dislike the name, I just don't like it for her. It's not her name," she added. Kate admitted that when she looks at her daughter she sees "a Madeline", which is a name they liked early on, but they kept changing their minds about it. There was lots of support for the mum in the comment section, with one person saying: "Change it now. Don't wait. I don't blame you, those hormones are awful and the stress. If the name doesn't feel right it's not right. We have names picked out for our second but not committing until the birth. But if it didn't feel right I'd change it too." "Do it!! Better to do it now than later," said another. And someone else wrote: "Yes Change her name. You know in your heart what her name should be. It's lots of pressure within a very short time in the hospital." However, there was also lots of love for the name Margaret. One person wrote: "I'm a Margaret and go by Maggie! I love my name so much and get compliments on it all the time." And another said: "I actually prefer Margaret over Madeline. BUT she's only 2 weeks, absolutely change it if you feel the need, she won't remember it. She'll just have a fun story to tell."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Simple dog walk snap hides hidden predators - can you spot FOUR snakes in photo in under 30 seconds?
At first glance, it looks like a peaceful woodland trail - a pup climbing over rocks, sun-bleached logs, and scattered patches of grass. But look again. The photo, posted in the subreddit r/FindTheSniper, hides a sinister twist: four camouflaged snakes slithering among the rocks and brush, perfectly blending into their surroundings. What seems like an idyllic hiking snap is actually a test of visual perception - and a reminder of just how deceptive nature can be. The image has become a viral brain teaser as people struggle to spot all four snakes in under 30 seconds - with many missing at least one. Some give up after finding two, while others say they can only make them out after someone points them out. Their cryptic coloring makes them nearly invisible against the backdrop of dusty purple rocks and driftwood-gray branches. Need a hint? Start by scanning near the logs and grassy clumps - the snakes are masters of mimicry, often hiding in plain sight alongside sticks, stones, and shadows. Ready for the reveal? Scroll down for the answer - and see how many you actually spotted. The answer photo reveals just how stealthy these predators really are. Three snakes lie coiled together near tufts of grass toward the left side of the image. The fourth snake is nestled between rocks - all expertly camouflaged. It's a chilling reminder of how well nature's predators can disappear in plain sight - and why it's important to stay alert while out on a hike. Do you think you have what it takes to do another forest-themed brain teaser? This wild brain teaser takes you on a trek through a lush, green jungle filled with flowing streams, towering trees and thick foliage. At first glance, it may seem like just a peaceful forest scene but look closer. Somewhere in this vivid landscape, a wild animal is cleverly concealed. Your mission? Find the hidden creature in under 10 seconds. This optical illusion is more than just a pretty picture - it's a challenge designed to test your observation skills and attention to detail. Do you have the sharp eyes it takes to spot what others might miss? Only the most eagle-eyed viewers will succeed. If you're still scanning the scene, don't worry - you're not alone. It's a tricky one, and giving too many hints would spoil the fun. So take another look. The animal is there, hiding in plain sight. Can you find it before the clock runs out? Have you managed to spot the hidden animal yet? Or is it still eluding your gaze? If you're hoping for a clue, look in between the long, thin tree trunks, and you might just spot a four-legged friend. Don't follow the creek upstream. Instead, look toward the dirt road and see where the path takes you. This illusion is a perfect reminder that sometimes, what we think we see blinds us to what's actually there. So, did you beat the clock? Check to see if you were correct. Amid the towering green trees, the faint outline of an elk blends seamlessly into the leafy wilderness.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
William and Kate's charity work keep royal kids from suffering 'spare syndrome'
A royal expert has revealed how the lifelong philanthropic efforts of Kate and William will aide in their royal children not following the misguided footsteps of Prince Harry Prince William and Princess Kate have a clever idea to help their royal children avoid what has been dubbed 'spare syndrome'. The Prince and Princess of Wales have dedicated much of their lives to their various charity work and philanthropic efforts with organisations such as Earthshot, the homelessness charity Centrepoint and the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to name a few. Now, royal expert Katie Nicholl believes that these initiatives could help both Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to avoid succumbing to 'spare syndrome'; a pitfall suffered by Prince Harry and other royals who were always second in line to the throne. It comes after claims Prince Harry 'admits he is still part of the Royal Family and finally sees sense'. READ MORE: William and Kate Middleton's fears over move with kids after Royal Family 'bad blood' This problem has reportedly affected Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and even Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth's late sister. It revolves around the concept of the "spare" Royal who feels "overlooked and purposeless". But thanks to both William and Kate's passion and outspokenness for their philanthropic efforts, Katie Nicholl believes these initiatives could give Charlotte and Louis a greater sense of purpose as they step into their royal roles when they get older. Speaking on Kinsey Schofield's Heirs and Spares podcast, Nicholl spoke of the recent developments in William's "Innovative Housing Project" in the London borough of Lambeth, which will see a property in south London owned by William's Duchy of Cornwall estate will be converted into 16 flats to provide affordable homes for 18 to 25-year-olds. Nicholl noted that the Prince of Wales has once said he wants to 'eradicate homelessness in the UK' which she admitted was a 'tall order' and would be a years-long plan. Podcast host Schofield then quizzed: 'I wonder if William and Kate are trying to set their children up with these larger initiatives to have something they can easily slide into, so we don't have a Prince Andrew, so we don't have a Prince Harry. There are so many powerful, creative campaigns happening that can live beyond their lifetime that I think their children can easily slide in to help find their purpose.' Nicholl agreed, as she said: 'Yes, and I think they will probably encourage their children to go and find their own philanthropic ventures that resonate with them, but William and Kate are giving them a template to follow in their footsteps.' Noting William's Earthshot campaign, Nicholl added that the Prince of Wales wants to 'save the planet' but recognised 'that is not something he can do on his own, but it can be continued by the next royal generation.' 'I think there is definitely that idea of continuing legacy work, so I think they are paving the way for the future, and he will want George, Charlotte and Louis to be passionate. But I think if there is a lifelong campaign, William will want his children to continue his footsteps.' any one child from receiving preferential treatment, thereby sidestepping the "spare" issue. In an article for the I, he elaborated: "In a Royal Family traditionally focused on the need to create an heir to the throne, and then a spare just in case something goes wrong, the Waleses want their children to have emotional security instead of giving special treatment to the chosen one."
