Latest news with #NatureScot
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
I'm living my Scottish island dreams but I'll never forget my roots
'Your people have arrived!' another said. They started rhyming off surnames of people they know from the area, as anyone in Scotland will do if you say you're from a particular village. Street names, schools - everything was on the table. And everyone had a connection. A few years ago, the village I grew up in had just over five thousand people - and of course now, my current village has less than 40. Read more It's a small world, when these two small populations have so much in common. The hillwalking group came on the day the heavens opened. After weeks of glorious sunshine and no-jacket weather, there were suddenly heavy hailstones and winds that threw the loose rubbish bags from outside our house across the street (no, our skips have still not been emptied). One chap decided after one night that the rain wasn't for him - he left 18 hours after he arrived, with the promise to be back to enjoy the island in all its beauty and sunshine. For those who remained, their boots were wet and midge nets well-used, but their aching joints made for great stories to tell of their trips to Kilmory and up Askival. And while the rain scuppered some plans and put a literal dampener on some people's spirits, I could've danced in it. It was a warm tropical rain that lashed down to earth and soaked you through, but suddenly our hills looked a luscious green and my car was no longer an orange-sandy mess. The metal roof of our cottage bore the brunt of it, and we had to raise our voices to be heard. It also meant that the annual Shearwater count was brought forward. While I chatted away to the hillwalking club and washed tea towels and loos, Coinneach was halfway up Hallival, armed with a ham sandwich and a pair of binoculars, joining the team from NatureScot for the day. Every year, they take a trip up the rugged slopes of Hallival where the Manx Shearwater call home. Manx Shearwater (Image: Elle Duffy) It's their breeding season, and having been back on the island for a few weeks, they've begun laying their eggs. Have you ever been to a museum or exhibit where you have to shove your hand in an unknown box and guess what's inside? This was the job of those out on the hills last week. They reached the burrows along the side of Hallival, and with a careful trepidation, pushed their hands inside until they were up to their shoulder. Then, they had to feel around, slowly, carefully, for a moss-covered nest and feathers - and then, the bird itself. Tiny - around the size of a small seagull, sitting atop the single egg they lay. Some would peck; their home was being invaded by an unknown hand, after all. But once the rangers reached underneath and felt the smooth curve of an egg, their job was done. There was the sad moment where an egg would be cold, meaning their parent hadn't returned and was therefore abandoned. And another when the bird was present, but not breathing. But overall, the count was a success - so many healthy, happy birds with viable eggs that'll turn into fluffy Manxies come August. Their home will be a green one, and they'll grow up surrounded by the hills and the open air. And honestly, I'm glad I started out with stone slabs in my mainland village. They are two vastly different worlds, and yet I appreciate them both in so many ways. They've both shaped me in body and mind, and I'll always have a deep connection to my roots and my present. And in the end, I'll always be a little girl from Holitin, living her island dreams on Rum.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Quangos tasked with deciding farmers' futures allowing staff to work from other side of the world
They are the bureaucrats charged with protecting Britain's natural environment and those who toil away on it. Yet while hard-pressed farmers face an uncertain time thanks to Labour's inheritance tax plans, staff at three rural-focused quangos have been logging in to work from the other side of the world. An investigation by the Daily Mail has discovered taxpayer-funded staff at Natural England, NatureScot and the Rural Payments Agency have worked from Asia, North America and even Australia. Bosses at the three bodies – which employ about 6,000 staff and receive hundreds of millions of pounds of Government cash a year – have allowed employees to work abroad more than 300 times in the last three years, according to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Staff were allowed to spend at least 1,174 days working abroad, although the total figure is expected to be much higher given NatureScot refused to provide the full information. Natural England, which added £100million to the bill for HS2, building a bat tunnel because the creatures are protected, was involved in 150 approvals, totalling nearly 1,000 days. This included 20 separate foreign stints each lasting at least ten days – the equivalent to two working weeks – with one staff member logging in for 15 days from Egypt. One employee at the York-based organisation was allowed to work from Australia for seven days, while Natural England also allowed eight staff to spend at least ten days working from Slovenia. Another was permitted to spend ten days in France, Belgium and Germany and someone spent nine days in Japan. The largest period of working away for a member of Natural England staff was a 28-day stint in Ireland. That was a drop in the ocean compared with the time a member of staff with the Rural Payments Agency, the body repeatedly castigated for the failure to pay farmers the subsidies they were owed on time. The body has a number of UK regional offices. Its data showed a geospatial services team member, who is listed as a senior executive officer, spent from August 5 last year to January 3 this year in Germany, accounting for 66 working days. Another spent 14 days in Sweden. NatureScot, based in Inverness, would only reveal there were 137 approvals granted in the last three years. This included nine trips to the US, two to Canada and India, and a stint in Chile. Alex Burghart, shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: 'One wonders how much work will get done on the beach.' A Tory spokesman said: 'Those making peoples' lives a misery should at least live with the consequences rather than swan off to far-flung corners of the globe.' A Natural England spokesman said: 'As the Government's adviser on the natural environment, we provide practical advice, grounded in science, on how best to protect and restore our natural world. 'On occasion, staff are required to work abroad for business reasons, including attending international conferences such as COP16.' An RPA spokesman said: 'Staff are required to travel overseas for official government business – helping the RPA in its role to deliver a range of services to farming and rural businesses.' This year, the Mail revealed a senior executive at crisis-hit Windsor council was working from Kyrgyzstan.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Galloway National Park opponents and supporters react to Scottish Government scrapping plans
Opponents say they are 'very relieved' the bid won't move forward but supporters say it is a 'big loss'. Opponents and supporters of a Galloway National Park have given their reaction to the Scottish Government's announcement that the proposal has been scrapped. The No Galloway National Park say they are 'very relieved' that the bid won't move forward. But the Galloway National Park Association have described the move as a 'big loss'. Rural Affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon announced on Thursday the idea was being binned. She said 54 per cent of people who responded to the NatureScot consultation opposed a national park and 42 per cent were in favour, with the majority of those responding from Galloway and Ayrshire. No Galloway National Park co-founder Liz Hitschmann said: 'We are very relieved the Scottish Government has recognised the strength of opposition to the imposition of a national park on our region, but the overwhelming response from local people directly affected was impossible to ignore. 'We are so grateful to all those who have supported our campaign, which from a standing start less than a year ago has steadily built momentum as people understood what a national park could really mean. 'There is no question Dumfries and Galloway needs investment in our infrastructure, but it did not need millions frittered away on another layer of bureaucracy which could override local wishes, and the many government-funded organisations in the area need to deliver that investment.' Campaign co-founder, Denise Brownlee, added: 'The Cabinet Secretary has promised a real plan for investment building on those existing structures and everyone in Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire needs to hold her to that.' Rob Lucas, the chairman of the Galloway National Park Association, was disappointed at the move. He said: 'This is a big loss for our countryside and wildlife, for everyone living in the region and for our entire country. 'Our disappointment is not just for the loss of a National Park, but for the whole future of Galloway which has been badly let down once again. 'Galloway and its fragile environment, communities, and economy face huge challenges that must be overcome. 'After years of neglect and decline it must now fall to those who opposed a National Park to address these issues and to do so without the certainty and money the Park would have brought. 'Although the minister has decided not to proceed, it is clear that the spotlight has rightly been shone on Galloway which is clearly on the map for now at least. 'We hope that any new measures put forward, although no substitute for a national park, will enable Galloway to come together and collectively develop a brighter future for this very special area.' The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership had worked on the submission that Galloway should be home to Scotland's third national park. Vice chair of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, Patrick Wiggins, said: 'The last few months have seen passionate arguments both in favour of and against the creation of a new national park for Scotland. 'Our position has always been that any future national park should embrace the ethos of our UNESCO Biosphere by reflecting the voice and the views of local people, so whilst disappointed with the outcome we are pleased that NatureScot's recommendation does exactly this. We were satisfied with the public consultation process which was accessible, thorough and transparent. 'Importantly from our perspective, the report offers encouragement as we look ahead to the future activity of the GSA Biosphere Partnership. We are pleased to have the vocal support of Scottish Ministers and recognition of our potential to attract investment, develop environmental protections, and help build sustainable communities in Scotland's south west.'
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
No National Park for Ayrshire as Scottish Government drop plans
Plans for the Galloway National Park which would have included parts of South and East Ayrshire have been dropped by the Scottish Government. Plans for a third national park in Scotland which would take in parts of Ayrshire have been dropped by the Scottish Government. Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon today, Thursday, May 29, confirmed to the Scottish Parliament that the plans for the Galloway National Park would not progress. Opposition to the nomination alongside the Reporter's recommendations against it mean the region will not get national park status. The decision has been condemned by a number of groups including Action to Protect Rural Scotland, the Scottish Campaign for National Parks and Ramblers Scotland. A consultation by NatureScot found that 54 per cent of people opposed a national park and 42 per cent were in favour, with the majority of those responding from Galloway and Ayrshire. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Gougeon said: 'While there is substantial support for a National Park and what it could deliver for the southwest of Scotland, there is also significant opposition. I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. 'I also recognise the huge amount of work and time that has been invested by a great many people throughout this process. I would like to thank everyone involved, including members of the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. 'I would also like to thank NatureScot for its work carrying out such an important and extensive public consultation in a robust and professional way that was commended in the review of the process carried out by the Scottish Community Development Centre. The consultation raised some really important issues that local people care deeply about and we now have the opportunity to look at how we can address these. 'The Scottish Government remains committed to our existing National Parks and the vital leadership role that they play in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities. Our National Parks are achieving for people and nature.' Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, said: 'The news that Galloway is no longer under consideration to be Scotland's next National Park should send a chill down the spine of everyone campaigning to make the world a better place. 'That a policy so popular with the public, and a designation with so much promise for the region, has been dropped, seemingly in response to a well funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation, is a tragedy. 'But this is not just a tragedy for the people of Galloway and southern Ayrshire, who were set to benefit most from the National Park, this decision impoverishes all of us. 'National Parks are a recognition of the best of our Nation's landscapes and this decision will impact Scotland's standing as a country that values and protects its nature. 'This decision is a betrayal of the Galloway people who have worked tirelessly for seven years to bring well deserved, national recognition for the special landscapes of their area. 'If the Scottish Government can't muster the energy to get a policy as popular, with as many co-benefits, and with such cross-party support, as a National Park over the line, how will we make the far more challenging changes we will need to stave off the nature and climate emergencies?' John Thomson, chair of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said: 'It is deeply sad that misunderstandings about the role and impact of National Parks, together with intensive and often misleading lobbying, should have deprived Scotland's people of the third National Park that they were promised little more than three years ago. 'The country's two existing National Parks are already at the forefront in tackling the ever more pressing climate and biodiversity emergency, and in leading the way to the greener, healthier and happier wellbeing economy that the Scottish Government said it was pursuing. 'A new National Park for Scotland was supported by all political parties. The Ministers' decision represents a major failure to capitalise on Scotland's peerless combination of natural and cultural assets. 'For Galloway it is a huge missed opportunity to secure not only profile and resources but a stronger say over its future. 'All those with the region's interests truly at heart will now have to redouble their efforts to protect its precious landscapes and habitats from the many threats that they face". Ramblers Scotland director, Brendan Paddy, said: 'Scotland has waited for two decades for its third national park, so we are disappointed to see this major opportunity missed. 'A new Galloway National Park, if delivered well, had the potential to attract funding, promote responsible outdoor recreation and support people from all backgrounds to walk in this beautiful corner of Scotland. 'We hope that the next Parliament will work to rebuild confidence that national parks are a key part of how Scotland's finest environments can be managed for the mutual benefit of residents, visitors and nature.'
Sky News
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Scottish government scraps plan for new national park in Galloway
Plans to create Scotland's third national park in Galloway and Ayrshire have been scrapped, the Scottish government has announced. Galloway was last year chosen as the preferred location for the nation's newest national park. A public consultation was carried out by NatureScot, with local residents, communities, businesses and interested parties invited to share their views on the proposal. Plans for the scheme - mostly in Dumfries and Galloway but also extending into parts of South and East Ayrshire - proved contentious. Supporters argued it would put the region on the map, boost the local economy, and prevent it from becoming a "dumping ground for inappropriate windfarms". However, opponents claimed making it more difficult for developers to secure planning permission for projects would negatively affect economic activity in the area. Other concerns raised included house prices potentially being pushed up, as well as the region's ability to cope with any additional tourism. In an update at the Scottish parliament on Thursday, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon told MSPs that 54% of those who engaged with the consultation opposed the plans, while 42% supported it. Taking into account local responses alone, 57% were found to be in opposition compared to 40% in favour. Proposal hasn't 'garnered sufficient local support' Ms Gougeon said: "Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and consultation, the reporter has advised that, whilst it considers that the proposed area meets the conditions for a national park set out in the legislation, the proposal does not have sufficient clarity, nor has it garnered sufficient local support to proceed to the next stage of designation." The MSP added: "We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new national park in the area, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation of a national park in Galloway and Ayrshire. "I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new national park in Galloway over many years." There are currently 15 national parks in the UK - two in Scotland, 10 in England and three in Wales. Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are the two north of the border. The power-sharing Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens in 2021 led to the Scottish government pledging that "at least one" new park would be designated by spring 2026. Galloway saw off competition from areas in the Scottish Borders, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest. The joint Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) and Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere (GSABP) bid touted the area as "Scotland in miniature" with its "diverse landscapes and stunning coastline, its outstanding biodiversity and rich cultural heritage". What was the public consultation? Ms Gougeon said NatureScot's public consultation ran for 14 weeks from November 2024 until February 2025. More than 5,000 surveys were completed and more than 1,000 people attended events that were held in relation to the plans. Meetings were also held with local authorities and community councils, and with representatives from the farming, forestry, tourism, renewables and conservation sectors. 'Heated debate' Ms Gougeon said public interest in the proposal had "proven to be huge" and generated "both strong support and strong opposition". She added: "At times, the debate has become quite heated." Ms Gougeon said while the designation of a new national park will not go ahead in Galloway and Ayrshire, the Scottish government "remains committed" and will "remain open" to proposals for new national parks in the future. 'Devastating news' Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said it was "devastating news for the local community and nature". He added: "By scrapping plans for the third national park in Galloway, the Scottish government has slammed the door on the economic investment and new powers this designation could bring." David Hope-Jones, chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), said the decision was a "missed opportunity to attract sustained investment in visitor management, visitor experience and visitor infrastructure". He added: "In deciding not to back the Galloway National Park, we call on the Scottish government to outline how, through new investment, the same sustainable economic results can be achieved." Campaigners 'relieved' Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) said it was the "right" decision. Director of policy Stephen Young said: "The Scottish government still has an important role to play in shaping a successful future for Galloway by supporting the infrastructure and conditions that rural businesses need to thrive. "We welcome the government's commitment to backing the region's long-term prosperity." Liz Hitschmann, co-founder of No Galloway National Park, said the campaign group was "relieved" with the decision. She added: "There is no question Dumfries and Galloway needs investment in our infrastructure, but it did not need millions frittered away on another layer of bureaucracy which could override local wishes, and the many government-funded organisations in the area need to deliver that investment."
