Latest news with #Cairngorms
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
In pictures: June snow dusts Scotland's highest mountain tops
Snow has dusted the tops of some of Scotland's highest hills and summer started on Sunday, but cold air from the north has brought some chilly Scotland weather presenter Judith Ralston said: "Snow on the hills of Scotland is not unusual in early June."The colder air has come down from Iceland and, with the strength of wind, it reached Scotland before getting much time to warm up." The cool conditions are expected to continue for the next few days, but the forecast is for the high winds to ease and fewer showers from of Scotland's mountains, including the Cairngorms, had snowfall around this time last 2010, more than 100 skiers took advantage of ski tows being open at the Cairngorm Mountain resort near Aviemore for the first time in at this time of year people were able to ski in the Cairngorms, however, they had to trek to where the snow temporary rope tows were provided over two Mountain, along with Scotland's other mountain ski centres, had benefited from lengthy periods of freezing conditions over the winter.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Controversial national park plan expected to be shelved amid protests
Controversial plans for a third national park in Scotland are expected to be kicked into the long grass by the SNP following a backlash, Holyrood insiders have said. Mairi Gougeon, the SNP's rural affairs secretary, is scheduled to make a parliamentary statement on Thursday next week on whether proposals for a park covering Galloway and Ayrshire are to get the green light. Senior figures from the SNP and opposition parties said they expected a final decision on the plan to be delayed until after the May 2026 Holyrood election, amid fierce opposition from farmers and residents. Several MSPs proposed that ministers take forward a 'park lite' plan instead, whereby extra investment is made to encourage tourism but without environmental and planning restrictions on local businesses. They argued the area was completely unsuited to a national park like the two that exist in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and Trossachs, thanks to its extensive farming and forestry industries. If a third national park is shelved, it would be the latest in a series of commitments made in the power-sharing deal between Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Greens to be axed or delayed. The coalition between the two parties fell apart last year. Ministers announced last July that the region in south west Scotland had been chosen from a five-strong shortlist as the possible site of the country's third national park. The status meant the area would be set aside for conservation of the environment, with most of the landscapes and accompanying plants and animals protected in their natural state. A consultation proposed that it be called the Kingdom of Galloway National Park and covers up to 3,400 square km, making it around twice as large as the one covering Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. But farmers warned that it will lead to extra red tape for their businesses and prioritise tourism and visitor access over their needs, thereby damaging food production. NFU Scotland said 93 per cent of its members in the area opposed the plan. The consultation also admitted that the park could worsen housing shortages by increasing demand for second homes and holiday lets. A report on the findings by agency NatureScot has been submitted to Ms Gougeon, with sources stating that it acknowledged the widespread opposition to the plan amid a bitter debate. Finlay Carson, the Tory MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, said he believed Ms Gougeon would not not provide a 'straightforward yes or no' to the original park plan and argued she should consider the 'lite' version instead. He said: 'I believe there are few, on any side of the debate, who believe a national park based on the current two would be in anyway suitable for Galloway. 'I believe this will sway heavily on the government's mind and, as a result, it will not proceed with a full designation order.' He added: 'Rather than dump the whole idea it could be that ministers will look again during the next session of parliament, potentially scaling down the plan and clearly shape it for our unique nature of our landscape and associated land use.' Mr Carson also attacked the NatureScot consultation on the proposals, saying: ''What has resulted from this whole exercise is bitter division and anger within our communities that will potentially take years to heal. 'Neighbour turning on neighbour, good friends falling out – and above all, the creation of a great mistrust that will take a long time to heal, if ever.' John Cooper, the Tory MP for Dumfries and Galloway, argued that government funds would be better spent on tourism infrastructure than the 'bureaucracy' created by a 'full national park.' But the Galloway National Park Association, which has led the campaign for a park, expressed concern that the 'lite' option would be a 'national park in name only.' Rob Lucas, the organisation's chairman, said it 'becomes a bit of a paper exercise' if there was no plan or the powers associated with a full national park designation. Ms Gougeon said: 'I would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation on whether there should be a new National Park in Galloway and South and East Ayrshire. 'Now that we have received NatureScot's report of the consultation findings and advice on the proposal, we have carefully considered these and will update parliament on Thursday on the next steps.'
Times
23-05-2025
- Times
Cairngorm funicular to shut for maintenance months after relaunch
The UK's highest railway is to be shut for repairs just a few months after being reopened. The troubled Cairngorm funicular has lain dormant for much of the past seven years after structural problems were uncovered in 2018. The initial closure ran from October 2018 until January 2023 and involved a £25 million programme of improvements. But it was again brought to a standstill in August 2023 after snagging issues and only started running again at the end of February this year. Now it will be shut from May 12 as part of an annual maintenance programme and is expected to begin operating again on June 2. Engineers from Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland), the state-owned operator, will carry out gearbox repairs, rail grinding and undercarriage
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Illegal release lynx moved to new permanent home at Kingussie
Three lynx that were illegally released in the Highlands earlier this year have moved to a new permanent home just a few miles from where they were wild cats were spotted in the Cairngorms National Park in early January, sparking a search before they were captured south of a period in quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo, the three female lynx have now moved to an enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, which is also run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.A fourth lynx, a male, was also captured in January but died a short time later. The felines, all thought to be around one-year-old when they were released, are currently named A, B and names are the same as the first three animals the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) had in 1913 - a trio of penguins. RZSS chief executive David Field said: "The lynx were clearly habituated to humans and would most likely have died if they hadn't been rescued as they would not have been able to find food for themselves."Caring for these cats at Highland Wildlife Park will help raise awareness of this incredible species and support discussions about how to reintroduce wildlife in Scotland responsibly."All three lynx have curious personalities, they love playing together, especially with balls and other toys. We are sure they will be a big hit with everyone who comes to see them." The outside enclosure includes long grass, trees and furniture for climbing and scratching posts. There is also an area with beds they can retreat to if they need some peace and quiet. Lauren Walker, an animal keeper at the wildlife park, told BBC Radio Scotland: "The enclosure is as close to the wild you can get with it still being safe for them. "They'll be well looked after here."Police were first alerted to reports of lynx on the loose in the Drumguish area of the UK's biggest national park on 8 Royal Zoological Society of Scotland used cage-type traps baited with venison and quail - a small game bird - to capture the cats. They were caught within two Scotland has been investigating the January release. A force spokeswoman said: "Inquiries are continuing into this matter." Lynx were once a native species in Scotland, but they died out several hundred years are suspicions the Cairngorms lynx were abandoned pets, or were let go by people who want to see the animals reinstated to wooded hills and conservation group Lynx to Scotland support a formal, legal reintegration of the wild cats but they condemned the January release. 'Irresponsible' abandonment Steve Micklewright, chief executive of rewilding charity Trees for Life which is one of three charities that make up the Lynx to Scotland partnership, condemned the way the animals were said: "That abandonment was illegal and irresponsible - the lynx could've died, it was terrible."However, we believe lynx are needed in the wild."We know that UK is one of the only countries in Europe without a predator like lynx."Predators are a part of nature and create a natural balance to keep the number of other animals like deer in check, and limit the impact on other species."They are important for regeneration across our ecosystem system."Lynx to Scotland has been working with farmers, landowners, tourism operators and conservationists and plan to publish a report next week. It believes this will "provide the most detailed analysis yet of what a lynx reintroduction project in Scotland would need to do to ensure lynx and people could coexist".Earlier this year, First Minister John Swinney ruled out a legal reintroduction of lynx.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Lynx illegally abandoned in Scottish Highlands find their new home
Three lynx cubs, illegally released into the Cairngorms National Park in January, have found a new home at the nearby Highland Wildlife Park. They were rescued from freezing conditions by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). A fourth lynx, sadly, did not survive the harsh conditions after being captured. The release of the animals sparked condemnation from experts, who deemed the act "reckless" and highlighted the slim chances of survival the lynx faced in the wild. Initially taken to Edinburgh Zoo for quarantine and care, the surviving cubs were transferred to the Highland Wildlife Park on Friday. Their new environment offers a safe and appropriate setting for these wildcats to thrive. RZSS chief executive David Field said: 'We are very pleased to welcome the lynx to Highland Wildlife Park and grateful to our members and everyone who made a donation to help us care for these wonderful cats. 'The lynx were clearly habituated to humans and would most likely have died if they hadn't been rescued as they would not have been able to find food for themselves. 'Caring for these cats at Highland Wildlife Park will help raise awareness of this incredible species and support discussions about how to reintroduce wildlife in Scotland responsibly'. Visitors to the park will be able to see the lynx in their new home, with RZSS also planning educational talks and activities to help people learn more about the species and the conservation challenges they face. Mr Field went on: 'We are very proud of the response of our team, who worked with Police Scotland and other partners to safely rescue these animals in freezing overnight temperatures. 'All three lynx have curious personalities, they love playing together, especially with balls and other toys. 'We are sure they will be a big hit with everyone who comes to see them.' A prize draw has been launched, giving the public the chance to meet and name one of the lynx. To enter visit
