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Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's best hidden gems to explore this summer and escape the crowds
As temperatures rise, Millets has revealed Scotland's best hidden gems, all being rated highly on Tripadvisor. As warmer weather draws more people into nature, outdoor experts at Millets have revealed a list of Scotland's most highly rated hidden gems, ideal for those looking to enjoy the outdoors away from the usual tourist crowds. The list includes picturesque spots like Glen Tanar, Glen Finglas, Loch Arkaig and Huisinis Beach, each earning an impressive 4.9 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor. Topping the list is Glen Tanar in Aberdeenshire, a scenic stretch within the Cairngorms National Park. Originally established as a Victorian estate in 1865, it now covers over 25,000 acres of unspoiled land. Visitors are treated to a rich natural landscape of ancient Caledonian pine forests, rivers, fertile farmland and purple-tinged heather hills, all supporting a wide range of plant and animal life. Also featured is Glen Finglas, the largest estate owned by The Woodland Trust, stretching across more than 10,000 acres in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Known for its woodlands, waterfalls and reservoirs, Glen Finglas has earned praise for being 'well managed, scrupulously clean, well signposted and looked after.' On the Isle of Harris, Huisinis Beach offers a more secluded escape. Reached via a narrow 12-mile single-track road, the beach opens up to spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The spot is a favourite for kayaking, surfing, swimming, fishing and sailing. Campervan visitors are also well accommodated with electric hook-up points available for extended stays. Sam Chadwick, blog author and outdoor enthusiast at Millets, explained why now is the perfect time to explore more remote locations: 'In recent years, more people have discovered the benefits of spending time outdoors, with hotspots like the Great Glen Way and the Isles of Skye becoming increasingly popular. "We have compiled a list of Scotland's best hidden gems, for those who want to avoid the crowds whilst enjoying the outdoors.' He added some useful tips for those heading into the wilderness: 'If you are visiting any area of the UK this summer, it is important to be prepared. "Ensuring that you pack a backpack or rucksack with enough food and water, as well as a change of clothes, is vital. It is also a good idea to pack waterproof clothing, as the UK's weather can be unpredictable. "Walkers should also wear supportive footwear when visiting sites with uneven and muddy terrain. This helps to reduce the risk of injury or of tripping over uneven footpaths. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'You must also leave any place you visit exactly as you found it. Take any rubbish and equipment, such as camping chairs or wind breaks, home with you and be respectful of any wildlife and other people around you.' Other locations on the list include Glen Lyon in Perth and Kinross, Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, Taynish National Nature Reserve in Argyll and Bute, and the lesser-known paths of Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve in Wester Ross, all of which received high praise from visitors. Scotland's Top Hidden Gems Location Region Tripadvisor rating /5 Glen Tanar Aberdeenshire 4.9 Glen Finglas Loch Lomond & The Trossachs NP 4.9 Loch Arkaig Scottish Highlands 4.9 Huisinis Beach Isle of Harris 4.9 Glen Lyon Perth and Kinross 4.9 Sandwood Bay Sutherland 4.8 The Quiraing Isle of Skye 4.8 Taynish National Nature Reserve Argyll and Bute 4.8 Beinn Eighe NNR (lesser paths) Wester Ross 4.8
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New Lincolnshire mayor must 'embrace nature', say wildlife groups
Wildlife and conservation groups say it is "essential" that the new Lincolnshire mayor embraces nature and supports environmental including The Woodland Trust, National Trust, RSPB and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust issued the call to the mayoral candidates ahead of Thursday's organisations said the mayor must shape a "greener, more resilient future", including building climate resilience, cutting emissions and restoring wetlands and Killeavey, from National Trust, said: "It's about recognising the power of nature and the power of the environment to people's lives." Paul Learoyd, chief executive of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said it was an important opportunity for Greater Lincolnshire."We hope the new mayor will embrace nature and see it as part of the solution to many of the issues we face as an area," he Learoyd said he hoped the mayor would also bring together areas such as food, farming and added: "This is an opportunity for the whole of Lincolnshire to work together and the Wildlife Trust has a history of working with local authorities from the Humber down to Gibraltar Point in the south of the county." Ms Killeavey said the Sandilands Nature Reserve, which is under construction on the site of a former golf course, was a "great example" of how conservationists have worked closely with local authorities."National Trust's investment here, along with all the partners and local authorities, is going to make a massive difference to people's lives," she said."When this is completed in a few months everyone will have access to really good quality nature - this will benefit everything from people's health to the local economy."She said she would be contacting the new mayor once elected to invite them down to Sandilands. Candidates' views Sally Horscroft, from the Green Party, said: "If we are to cut climate emissions and improve our environment, we must learn to work with nature", adding that it was vital to recognise the importance of nature to our candidate Marianne Overton said she had been a "staunch supporter" of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust for many years, and was strongly in favour of natural solutions wherever possible. She said she was also an advocate for "solar on roofs, not farmland".Jason Stockwood, from Labour, said: "If elected, I will put protecting and enhancing our coast, countryside and natural environment at the heart of our region's future."Rob Waltham, Conservative, said: "By balancing growth with green investment we can achieve our goals of protecting and enhancing nature and wildlife for our area."He said his aim would be to plant more trees and create new nature reserves, along with off-road cycle BBC has contacted the remaining candidates for their views. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. POSTCODE LOOKUP: Check if there is an election in your areaSIMPLE GUIDE: Everything you need to know about the local electionsGET IN TOUCH: Tell us the election issues that matter to youFULL COVERAGE: Catch up on all our election stories
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Diseased trees to be felled over safety concerns
Trees affected by ash dieback disease are set to be felled over concerns they could fall on to public footpaths. Reading Borough Council said more than 100 trees at Clayfield Copse nature reserve near Caversham were likely to be affected. It said the trees could "fall with very little warning" and said walkers should use the area with care and keep dogs on leads. The fungal disease can significantly weaken ash trees - branches become brittle and it will eventually kill the tree. Senior arboriculture officer at the council, Dan Johnson, said the trees would be inspected for bat roosts. "Where it's safe to do so, we will leave those trees standing as a dead stem," he said. He said native species such as oaks, hazel, birch and beech trees would be planted in place of the ash trees. The 20-acre Clayfield Copse was designated Reading's first Local Nature Reserve in 1991. Karen Rowland, lead councillor for environmental services, said the local authority would only remove trees and branches where people "could be at risk". She said all the removed trees would be replaced. "It is very sad to announce this unavoidable work. We will be working hard to ensure the vista of Clayfield Copse is as unchanged as possible," she added. Ash dieback is a fungus that originated in Asia and can affect ash trees of all ages. Between July and October it produces small white fruiting bodies which release spores that travel tens of miles in the wind, landing on leaves. The fungus penetrates the leaf, and then grows inside the tree, eventually blocking the tree's water supply, causing it to die. While it does not cause much damage on its native hosts of the Manchurian ash and the Chinese ash, its introduction to Europe about 30 years ago has had severe consequences. European ash species did not evolve with the fungus and therefore have no natural defence against it. Source: The Woodland Trust You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Ash dieback 'past its peak' in the South West County 'fighting losing battle' against ash dieback Reading Borough Council
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Reading ash dieback trees to be felled over safety concerns
Trees affected by ash dieback disease are set to be felled over concerns they could fall on to public Borough Council said trees at Clayfield Copse nature reserve near Caversham were said the trees could "fall with very little warning" and said walkers should use the area with care and keep dogs on fungal disease can significantly weaken ash trees - branches become brittle and it will eventually kill the tree. Senior arboriculture officer at the council, Dan Johnson, said the trees would be inspected for bat roosts."Where it's safe to do so, we will leave those trees standing as a dead stem," he said native species such as oaks, hazel, birch and beech trees would be planted in place of the ash 20-acre Clayfield Copse was designated Reading's first Local Nature Reserve in Rowland, lead councillor for environmental services, said the local authority would only remove trees and branches where people "could be at risk".She said all the removed trees would be replaced."It is very sad to announce this unavoidable work. We will be working hard to ensure the vista of Clayfield Copse is as unchanged as possible," she added. What is ash dieback? Ash dieback is a fungus that originated in Asia and can affect ash trees of all July and October it produces small white fruiting bodies which release spores that travel tens of miles in the wind, landing on fungus penetrates the leaf, and then grows inside the tree, eventually blocking the tree's water supply, causing it to it does not cause much damage on its native hosts of the Manchurian ash and the Chinese ash, its introduction to Europe about 30 years ago has had severe ash species did not evolve with the fungus and therefore have no natural defence against The Woodland Trust You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
