Reforesting Scotland’s small grant for tree planting covers small projects that aren’t eligible for other funding - ideal for croft woodlands and plantings that connect existing stands. The application process is simple.
Soil Myth Busting
This Farm Advisory Service webinar looks at myths surrounding soil carbon, rock dust and soil biology -- what is true, what is still developing, and how you might or might not see the benefit on your own land. https://youtu.be/bhcEnXGEbDk?si=40qKVJ44kCUqHCvA
What is the Future for Community Composting in the Highlands?
Highland Good Food's podcast looks at different approaches and ways of composting across Highland, whether you're doing it at home, with council collections, or at your local community garden. With Pamela Sutherland, Head Gardener at Inverness Botanic Gardens. Listen...
Naked Barley – the forgotten super grain
Barley was the most cultivated cereal through the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. Around 8,000 years ago a single gene mutation in a barley plant in northern Iran enabled it to freely shed its husks when harvested and threshed, so the grain could be eaten without...
New fund for peatland practitioner training
The Peatland Training Fund will provide financial support to over-16s living in Scotland, who want to develop skills for a peatland career. People already working in peatland restoration who would like additional training can also apply. The aim is to increase the...
Amphibians and reptiles: working with crofters and kids
by Janet Ullman, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation janet.ullman@arc-trust.org Saving Scotland's Amphibians and Reptiles is a project of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC). We work with crofters to support their needs in establishing or maintaining populations...
New alliance of farmers and crofters calls on Scottish Government to back nature-friendly farming
The Scottish Agroecology Partnership, comprising eight farming organisations, has seven policy asks to the Scottish Government, including reforms to income support, investment in local food infrastructure, strengthened local food supply chains, dedicated funding for...
Skye wind farms news
A summary of Skye Wind Information Group's June newsletter and other reports. The Highland Council’s objection to the proposals to "Repower and Extend" Ben Aketil Wind Farm triggered a public inquiry which ran from 23 - 27 June in Portree. Nadara, the Italian owners...
A food system off-track?
by Anne MacLennan Salmon farming is unsustainable according to a report published last month. Aquaculture is the fastest food production system in the world. Farmed fish have outnumbered wild-caught fish since 2022. Seventy percent of salmon are now farmed, with...
Scottish Land Commission survey and route map
The Scottish Land Commission is seeking ideas on what a fully land reformed Scotland could look like, and what it would mean to you. There's a short online form with two main questions: 1. What changes would you like to see in how land is owned and used in Scotland...