Â鶹ԼÅÄ

There was much celebration in Caithness a few weeks ago when it was announced that, after decades of planning and preparation, The Flow Country has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s the first in Scotland to be granted this status on purely natural criteria and is also the only peatbog in the world with World Heritage status. Mark went there to meet with Roxanne Anderson, professor of peatland science at the University of the Highlands and Islands, to get a sense of the place and its importance.

At one time, scything would have been common practice in Scotland, for making hay or harvesting crops. But, with the advent of machinery, land managers were no longer reliant in this ancient bit of kit. But it would appear that this traditional practice is undergoing a bit of a revival, not least for conservation purposes where a low impact approach to the land is being encouraged. Last week, Crown Estate Scotland organised an event offering people the chance to have a go at a wildflower meadow in Tomintoul. Habitat restorer and scything expert Doug Gooday gave Rachel a lesson.

Alarming news this week that five more seabirds have been added to the red list, which puts them at greater risk of extinction. The state of the oceans is behind a lot of this, and this is being recognised by one group of very active young people in Ullapool, who are doing their bit to improve the marine environment. They are the Ullapool Sea Savers. Mark and Rachel hear about their favourite sea creatures as well as what they’ve instigated in their local town.

Back in October, Mark visited the Huntly TOADS after school club as they were about to embark on a project to build a garden shelter out of traditional materials. Mark visited a session recently involving water, mud, straw and a paddling pool. What could possibly go wrong?

This week’s callout is about the World Stovies Championships at the annual Huntly Hairst Festival.

We hear an extract from the Scotland Outdoors podcast as Helen Needham discusses the republishing of pioneering climber Dorothy Pilley’s book ‘Climbing Days’ with her great great nephew Dan Richards.

Rachel has a mindful moment at the Falls of Clyde.