Conservation

Deer Debate

Simon Ritchie of Woodland Trust Scotland; Jared Child of Arkaig Community Forest; Jim Fairlie; Sarah Madden of WTS; Liam Wright of WTS; Angela Mercer of ACF; Georgie Pelly of WTS

Scottish Minister visits forest to explore deer management issues

West Glenalmond Estate's accreditation from Wildlife Estates Scotland recognises its commitment to sustainable land management

West Glenalmond Estate's accreditation from Wildlife Estates Scotland recognises its commitment to sustainable land management

Grouse season opens in Perthshire with praise for conservation work

The Eurasian lynx, once native to Britain, could return to the borderlands but farmers are calling for safeguards to protect livestock (Image Getty)

The Eurasian lynx, once native to Britain, could return to the borderlands but farmers are calling for safeguards to protect livestock (Image Getty)

Public backs lynx reintroduction, but farmers voice concerns

New research suggests a plant-based compound could make fertilisers greener, boosting yields while slashing nitrogen loss and methane emissions (Image Getty)

New research suggests a plant-based compound could make fertilisers greener, boosting yields while slashing nitrogen loss and methane emissions (Image Getty)

Researchers unveil new eco-friendly fertiliser additive

Farmers' conservation work sees red-listed birds recorded in strong numbers (Image Getty)

Farmers' conservation work sees red-listed birds recorded in strong numbers (Image Getty)

Birdlife returns

Scottish farms show gains in bird conservation count

The 2025 Big Farmland Bird Count was launched on February 7 by farmer and TV personality Adam Henson on his Cotswold Farm in Gloucestershire.

The 2025 Big Farmland Bird Count was launched on February 7 by farmer and TV personality Adam Henson on his Cotswold Farm in Gloucestershire.

National bird count highlights vital role of UK farmland in supporting wildlife

Gamekeepers and estate staff were forced to tackle upland wildfires in Morayshire with private equipment and their own expertise

Gamekeepers and estate staff were forced to tackle upland wildfires in Morayshire with private equipment and their own expertise

Scottish Government

Upland fire effort exposes urgent need for investment

Unlicensed beaver releases cause concern among farmers over potential damage to crops, land, and local ecosystems (Image Getty)

Unlicensed beaver releases cause concern among farmers over potential damage to crops, land, and local ecosystems (Image Getty)

Beavers on the loose

Activists secretly release beavers despite legal licensing process

SLE's director of moorland, Ross Ewing, with Jim Fairlie MSP

SLE's director of moorland, Ross Ewing, with Jim Fairlie MSP

Scottish Government

Stalking visit gives minister firsthand look at lowland deer management issues

Capercaillie are in danger of extinction in the UK

Capercaillie are in danger of extinction in the UK

Capercaillie chick numbers double after management scheme success

Local farmers in Galloway and Ayrshire voiced strong opposition to the proposed National Park, leading to the Scottish Government's decision to halt the plan following a public consultation (Image NatureScot)

Local farmers in Galloway and Ayrshire voiced strong opposition to the proposed National Park, leading to the Scottish Government's decision to halt the plan following a public consultation (Image NatureScot)

Park Plan Reversed

NFU Scotland welcomes government u-turn on Galloway national park proposal

Following prolonged consultation with stakeholders, Mairi Gougeon has just announced that Galloway will not be designated as a national park (Image Getty)

Following prolonged consultation with stakeholders, Mairi Gougeon has just announced that Galloway will not be designated as a national park (Image Getty)

Park Plan Rejected

Scottish Government

Scottish Government rejects Galloway national park proposal amid deep division

Research indicates that badgers can transmit bTB to cattle, primarily through environmental contamination rather than direct contact (Image Getty)

Research indicates that badgers can transmit bTB to cattle, primarily through environmental contamination rather than direct contact (Image Getty)

Badger cull battle

High court grants green light for legal challenge to badger culling licences

Rob Lucas, Chair of the Galloway National Park Association

Rob Lucas, Chair of the Galloway National Park Association

Energy vs Nature

'Big business has set itself against communities'

Highland and hill ponies take centre stage at the Scottish Game Fair

Highland and hill ponies take centre stage at the Scottish Game Fair

Strength in motion

Preserving a legacy: Highland ponies shine at the Scottish Game Fair

Endangered bird patrols in Cairngorms begin

Endangered bird patrols in Cairngorms begin

Protect the lek

Special police patrols to protect endangered bird species

There are thought to be only a few hundred capercaillies left in Scotland

There are thought to be only a few hundred capercaillies left in Scotland

Police launch patrols

Police begin special patrols to protect endangered Scottish bird from tourists

Dunmaglass Estate head keeper Iain Hepburn and station officer Alex McKinley of the Scottish Fire Service oversee controlled burning on the moorland at Dunmaglass Estate, a crucial land management practice to reduce wildfire risk(Image Trevor Martin)

Dunmaglass Estate head keeper Iain Hepburn and station officer Alex McKinley of the Scottish Fire Service oversee controlled burning on the moorland at Dunmaglass Estate, a crucial land management practice to reduce wildfire risk(Image Trevor Martin)

Rural organisations sound alarm over muirburn licensing rollout and wildfire risk

Wildflower margins on a farm

Wildflower margins on a farm

Farmers warn of impact on wildlife of SFI closure

The fire at Galloway Forest Park

The fire at Galloway Forest Park

Days-long blaze

Helicopters used to 'water-bomb' Galloway wildfire as crews continue to battle blaze

The video shows a sea eagle lifting a live lamb

The video shows a sea eagle lifting a live lamb

Scottish shepherd films sea eagle taking a live lamb from flock on Scottish island

The Missing Lynx Project will be available to view at both the SRUC and Hawick Town Hall over the next couple of months

The Missing Lynx Project will be available to view at both the SRUC and Hawick Town Hall over the next couple of months

Lynx exhibition

Touring exhibition on potential lynx reintroduction to visit Borders town

Annabel Davidson Knight

Annabel Davidson Knight

New Appointment

Scottish Land Commission appoints community benefits from nature restoration champion

A man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal after deliberately blocking the entrance to a badgers

A man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal after deliberately blocking the entrance to a badgers

Badger sett blocked

Man reported after allegedly blocking badger sett near Alford

The NFU are concerned about the long-term impact beaver reintroduction may pose on farmers

The NFU are concerned about the long-term impact beaver reintroduction may pose on farmers

National Farmers Union (NFU)

The NFU call on government to work with farmers on beaver reintroduction

Director of moorland at SLE, Ross Ewing

Director of moorland at SLE, Ross Ewing

Wildlife Crime Down

Rural business organisation welcomes new report on wildlife crime levels in Scotland

The 7,618-hectare Inverbroom Estate, near Ullapool, has been bought for £17.5m

The 7,618-hectare Inverbroom Estate, near Ullapool, has been bought for £17.5m

Land Deal Revealed

Scottish Wildlife Trust buys Highland estate with 'biggest ever land purchase'

Members of the National Farming Union's (NFU)Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign park tractors outside QEII Centre in London.

Members of the National Farming Union's (NFU)Stop the Family Farm Tax campaign park tractors outside QEII Centre in London.

NFU conference 2025

‘Lethal control’ must be option if beaver releases approved, NFU boss says

Director of policy for Scottish Land & Estates, Stephen Young

Director of policy for Scottish Land & Estates, Stephen Young

Farming at risk

Small farms 'at risk' from new National Park proposal according to industry experts

Dorback estate in the Cairngorms - Getty

Dorback estate in the Cairngorms - Getty

Rewilding firm acquires 15,000-acre Cairngorms estate for carbon credits

White tailed sea eagles kill lambs

White tailed sea eagles kill lambs

Farm Under Threat

Sea eagle kills ewe on Argyll farm as farmer warns birds will put him out of business

Low autumn sun shining through trees across the lake at Wallington, Northumberland (Chris Lacey/National Trust/PA)

Low autumn sun shining through trees across the lake at Wallington, Northumberland (Chris Lacey/National Trust/PA)

Nature’s Future

National Trust plans 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscapes over 10 years

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed

Producing food is ‘primary purpose’ of farming, Environment Secretary says

Two lynx released into the Highlands have been recaptured

Two lynx released into the Highlands have been recaptured

Two lynx illegally released into Highlands captured

Farmers counting birds to support conservation efforts during the Big Farmland Bird Count (image: Rob Haining)

Farmers counting birds to support conservation efforts during the Big Farmland Bird Count (image: Rob Haining)

Track Your Birds

2025 Big Farmland Bird Count: Help track bird species and support UK wildlife

Restored shard fences in the Lake District preserve local heritage while supporting biodiversity (image: LDNPA)

Restored shard fences in the Lake District preserve local heritage while supporting biodiversity (image: LDNPA)

Heritage Restored

Restored slate shard fences in the Lake District support biodiversity and heritage

Virus yellows devastates sugar beet crops, causing up to 80% losses Ref:RH190721029 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Virus yellows devastates sugar beet crops, causing up to 80% losses Ref:RH190721029 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Plans to ban bee-harming pesticides as government weighs legislative options

The national park proposal is causing debate

The national park proposal is causing debate

Your opinion counts

NFU Scotland launches member survey on proposed National Park for Galloway

Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Park Association

Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Park Association

Focus the Issue

Referendum request a distraction at a time of public spending cuts

Tanya St Pierre Plug Planting-credit Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Tanya St Pierre Plug Planting-credit Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Grassland Wildflowers

Plea to help grow vanishing wildflowers

Tractors parked on Whitehall during a protest by farmers in Westminster, London

Tractors parked on Whitehall during a protest by farmers in Westminster, London

UK Food Security

Nature decline and rising temperatures pose risk to UK food security – report

A misty dawn over the Galloway Forest Park

A misty dawn over the Galloway Forest Park

Park Vote Looms

Debate over Scotland's next national park hinges on details, campaigners say

In mid-2022, the population of the Highlands was 235,710, with a population density of nine people per square kilometre

In mid-2022, the population of the Highlands was 235,710, with a population density of nine people per square kilometre

Rewilding Scotland

How the Rewilding Pathway can support 'repeopling' Scottish areas

In The Netherlands, parents were warned over the summer not to take young children to a popular forest area near the central city of Utrecht

In The Netherlands, parents were warned over the summer not to take young children to a popular forest area near the central city of Utrecht

Wolves in Peril

Farmers win as EU lowers wolf status, but critics warn of ecological risk

A golden eagle (stock pic)

A golden eagle (stock pic)

Golden eagle tragedy

Golden eagle dies after flying into wind turbine

Save the Curlew

Farmers join curlew project to give rare birds a fighting chance

Sandra McDowell, vice chair of the Galloway National Park Association

Sandra McDowell, vice chair of the Galloway National Park Association

Trust backs plan

Wild places charity backs 'resilient' Galloway National Park campaign

Delegates gather in Baku for COP29 to tackle climate change Ref:RH250320046 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Delegates gather in Baku for COP29 to tackle climate change Ref:RH250320046 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

COP29 in Baku begins with focus on agriculture's role in climate solutions

Acting cabinet secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin

Acting cabinet secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Gillian Martin

Gillian Martin leads Scotland’s voice on climate action at COP29 Summit in Baku

Police enquiries have been ongoing

Police enquiries have been ongoing

Dead Golden Eagle Found

Police Scotland

Probe after golden eagle found in plastic bag with body parts removed

Mairi Gougeon has confirmed the consultations for the Galloway National Park will be extended by two weeks

Mairi Gougeon has confirmed the consultations for the Galloway National Park will be extended by two weeks

Consultations for Galloway National Park proposal have been extended

The UK has announced an international initiative at COP16 to protect and restore nature, aiming to safeguard 30% of land by 2030 Ref:RH280723030 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

The UK has announced an international initiative at COP16 to protect and restore nature, aiming to safeguard 30% of land by 2030 Ref:RH280723030 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Protect Our Planet

UK heads 30by30 nature push at COP16

Combine harvesting, stock image.

Combine harvesting, stock image.

Nature’s Funding Crisis

Warning of ‘monumental gap’ between farming budget and what is needed for nature

Questions have been raised over the legality of a recently proposed tree planting site in Dumfries and Galloway.

Questions have been raised over the legality of a recently proposed tree planting site in Dumfries and Galloway.

Save Our Peatlands

Questions raised over newly proposed forest