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Press and Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gallery: Highlights from the Rising North Music Festival, Shetland
Hundreds turned out as Rising North Festival took place across Lerwick from the 14th to the 17th of August. Due to the huge success of last year, the Rising North Music Festival was back for four days, bringing music, entertainment, and community spirit. On day one of the festival, many fringe events were held across various locations in Lerwick. Followed by an evening event on day two, held on the main stage at Clickimin Leisure Centre. Day three brought family-friendly events throughout the day, followed by live music at night at the Clickimin Leisure Centre. The festival concluded on the last day with various events at the Mareel. Over the course of the festival, twenty bands played, with special guest Callum Beattie playing on the Saturday night. Photographs provided by
Edinburgh Reporter
11-08-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Zoo says their wildcat scheme is working
Four wildcats released into the wild as part of Scotland's pioneering scheme to save the species are known to have died since the programme was launched. The captive-bred wildcats, which were all female, died from a range of causes including an infection, starvation and being struck by a vehicle after being released into the wild. In the most recent case, the only death recorded so far in 2025, a wildcat had to be put to sleep after suffering 'severe injuries from an unknown cause'. One young kitten born in the wild as part of the programme is also known to have been killed last year, understood to have been as a result of being struck by a vehicle on a road. The Saving Wildcats project, led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) which also runs Edinburgh Zoo, was set up after a report in 2018 found that Scotland's wildcat population was 'functionally extinct'. The so-called 'Highland tigers' were bred at the charity's Highland Wildlife Park and the first generation was released into the Cairngorms National Park in summer 2023 under licence from NatureScot. A total of 19 captive bred wildcats were released in the first year followed by a further nine last year, while this year's batch of releases is currently underway at secret locations. Despite the recorded deaths, the scheme has exceeded expectations as it was anticipated the animals may have a 50 per cent mortality rate. And, at least nine of the released females have gone on to have kittens. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of one mortality this year and four mortalities of released wildcats in total. 'One occurred in 2023 to a released female. Sadly, an additional two individuals died shortly after their release in 2024. 'A further mortality occurred in 2025 to another female wildcat who was found to have sustained severe injuries from an unknown cause. Due to the severity of these injuries, the decision was made to euthanise her. 'As the kittens born in the wild are not fitted with GPS-radio collars due to the fact that they are still growing, we have not been able to continually follow their progress. 'The team were made aware of one young kitten that was assumed to have died as a result of a road traffic accident in 2024. 'Although unfortunate, the project has experienced a lower number of mortalities than would be expected given the experience of similar projects internationally.' Last year, seven females released by Saving Wildcats, named Arwen, Clawra, Haggis, Lorne, Mareel, Neep and Tattie, are known to have produced 'wild-born kittens'. So far this year, Arwen, Mareel and Tattie have had kittens for the second year in a row while two others known as Sully and Callie became first time mothers. Several of the other females have been exhibiting behaviour that could indicate that they too have had kittens not yet recorded. The Saving Wildcats team are studying camera-trap footage, data from GPS-radio collars and public sightings for clues to further births. The spokesperson added: 'The birth of kittens in the wild constitutes a major milestone for wildcat recovery in Scotland. 'These births demonstrate that the process of breeding wildcats for release into the wild is working, as those released animals have learned to hunt and survive, and now reproduce in their first breeding season, a clear indication that they are doing well.' Photo courtesy of RZSS Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
18-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Best Southampton cruises departing this summer for 2025
Millions of passengers go through the cruise terminal every year, embarking on voyages all around the world and visiting stunning locales. While you will always have a lot of choices of where to head, some may be keen to find the most unique journeys in the most picturesque locations. Here are just some of the best and most luxurious cruises that will depart from Southampton this summer, up to the end of August. 7 of the best and most luxurious cruises leaving from Southampton this summer Best of Scandinavia Provider: Celebrity Cruises Departure date: Sunday, May 25 The cruise can be booked on the Celebrity Cruises website here. This 11-night cruise will see passengers travel to destinations such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and more. At the time of writing, you can book into this journey for a cost of £1,659 per person. Britannia 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Provider: P&O Cruises Departure date: Friday, June 6 The cruise can be booked on the P&O Cruises website here. P&O cruise ships are a common sight in Southampton, and you can celebrate the ten-year anniversary of its Britannia ship on this voyage. It will visit various locations around the UK, including Liverpool, Belfast, Stornoway and more. Part of the itinerary includes talks with chef Marco Pierre White and Tom Parker-Bowles. Overall, it will last 14 nights with bookings at the time of writing costing £1,369 per person. Cunard 185th anniversary Transatlantic Voyage Provider: Cunard Departure date: Tuesday, June 24 The cruise can be booked on the Cunard website here. You can celebrate Cunard's 185th anniversary with a transatlantic route that finishes up in New York City. Over seven nights, you will traverse the ocean, enjoying all the gala evenings, experiences and restaurants the Queen Mary 2 has to offer. At the time of writing, bookings can be made for a cost of £899. Italy, France and Spain Provider: Cunard Departure date: Friday, July 11 The cruise can be booked on the Cunard website here. Destinations such as Gibraltar, Barcelona, Sardinia and Palma de Mallorca will be visited on this Cunard cruise. The Queen Anne ship will be used for the voyage and includes features such as the Mareel spa. Overall, it will last 16 nights with bookings at the time of writing costing £1,529 per person. Many of the cruises leaving Southampton this summer will travel to Mediterranean locations (Image: Canva) Mediterranean Highlights Provider: MSC Cruises Departure date: Saturday, July 26 The cruise can be booked on the MSC Cruises website here. This 14-night cruise will explore locations such as La Coruña, Malaga, Barcelona, Valencia and Lisbon. It will take place on the MSC Virtuosa ship, which has a spa, outdoor pools and an indoor promenade among its features. At the time of writing, bookings can be made from a cost of £1,243 per person. Spanish Flair Provider: Royal Caribbean Departure date: Sunday, August 3 The cruise can be booked on the Royal Caribbean website here. This nine-night trip from Royal Caribbean will visit destinations such as Vigo, Lisbon, Seville and Bilbao before returning to Southampton. The journey will be undertaken by the Independence of the Seas ship, which has features including a waterpark and a FlowRider surfing simulator. Recommended reading: Iceland & Greenland Provider: Royal Caribbean Departure date: Saturday, August 30 The cruise can be booked on the Royal Caribbean website here. This 15-night cruise will explore several stunning destinations around Iceland and Greenland, including Reykjavík, Qaqortoq and Nuuk. After that, it will stop off at two destinations in Nova Scotia before finishing up at Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. At the time of writing, bookings can be made from a cost of £1,947 per person.
