07/04/2018
Join Mark Stephen and Helen Needham for the latest outdoor activities from Shetland to the Borders, plus the key stories for those who live and work in the countryside.
Every year thousands of seasonal migrant workers come to Scotland to work on farms up and down the country. They play a huge role in the soft fruit industry, to the point where many farms couldn't operate without them. Scotland's Rural College recently completed a report into the workforce and Mark went to hear about the findings.
A few weeks ago an Out of Doors listener got in touch with us to tell us about her idea for 'plastic banks' for people to deposit plastic waste on beaches. Helen went to meet her and find out more about her idea.
If you're a keen horse rider and fancy the idea of cantering along some long distance trails, the Borders may be the place for you. The Southern Uplands Partnership backed by the British Horse Society has received funding to set up Ride Scotland's Horse Country. Mark met the project co-ordinator to find out more.
The Moray Firth is well known for its dolphin population. Scottish Natural Heritage has just published a report on the number of dolphins using the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation. Mark went to hear about their findings and see if he could spot some dolphins.
Mark goes on a lichen safari near Golspie and finds out about the importance of and many different types of lichen that grow in Scotland.
It's very obvious to us here on Out of Doors that spending time outside is good for us. When Helen tried out bivvying a couple of weeks ago she met Nick who feels spending time outside has had a huge positive impact on his life.
Mark visits The Artist Bothy, the result of a partnership between artist Bobby Niven and architect Iain MacLeod, founders of Bothy Project. The project aims to allow artists to explore the history, landscape and people in the areas surrounding bothies.
Helen is in Callander where Angela and Robin Harvey have been operating their own informal 'toad patrol' to try and prevent frogs, toads and newts being squashed by cars at their favoured crossing point in early Spring.
This is the time of year when ospreys are in the process of returning to their respective nests across the country. Mark visits an interesting project involving Scottish Power Energy Networks and the Lothian and Borders Raptor Group that involves building a new nest for the birds.
And our soundscape comes from the Bracklinn Falls near Callander.