News.Scotland.Org

All the walkers are welcome to the Scenic Scotland region of Lochs. You can enjoy spectacular scenery and at the same time walk along these beauty routes. The fresh water Loch Katrine near Stirling is a picture perfect place for a stroll along the water.  

Although it takes a medium difficulty, this beautiful lane lies parallel to nearly seven miles of the North and West shore. It takes you around four and half hours or more to complete the walk. Starting off from the car park at the Trossachs pier, this walk can be combined with a beautiful sail down the loch on the steamer.

Moving over to Scotland’s east coast and you will find the 13 mile Earlsferry to Crail walk. A flat walk from Earlsferry-former royal burgh of Fife, allows you to take in the coastline views as it passes through Pittenweem and St. Monans before you reach in Crail. This charming fishing village in the east coast Riviera is the perfect place to relax at the end of your afternoon.

If you would rather take in some of Scotland’s more rural settings without tackling the Munros then the Rannoch Moor walk is the perfect alternative. This walk, which is part of the West Highland Way, allows you to enjoy one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe and walk the day away in the peaceful surroundings.

The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) wants the people of Scotland to provide them with valid information on any houses or flats that cultivates cannabis. The new campaign has been put forth in order to uproot the many cannabis factories after new figures showed that police officers have seized almost £40m worth of the plants since 2006.

Set up by organised crime gangs, the public are asked to use their ‘natural senses’ in order to find out the presence of the cannabis factories. It is seen that workers in the factories which is set up in the residential areas are locked up like slaves.

Though the UK government has graded Cannabis as Class C drug from Class B in 2004, it is seen that they need to reverse the decision. It is also seen that there was virtually no production over the year but as of nine months Scotland topped the list with almost 60 productions of the drug.

Launching the campaign, Justice Kenny MacAskill said:

“Even the smallest piece of information about an individual or group’s activity can be the key that unlocks the door to disrupting an entire criminal empire”

Crime gangs are focusing on the industrial production of the drug by putting more emphasis on the potency of the product and therefore have a more marketable product.

Posing serious safety risks and even fire and electrocution risks, these highly dangerous cultivations are reaching up-to the doorsteps of the people and nobody wants or needs it. It is also seen that those individuals who are in for the cannabis cultivation are from the South-east Asian origin.

Sea fareres can adventure on Oban waters by taking a boat trip. Oban a town in Scotland, has beautiful scenery that can be enjoyed on a trip in boat. You can spot all sorts of birds, sea mammals and wildlife which is otherwise not possible from the land.  

If you take the boat tour in any particular season, you will come across rare species of birds and mammals. There are various tours from Oban, taking visitors on a journey round the Argyll waters, where they have the chance to spot all sorts of wildlife. If you are happen to be around in a place called Easdale, a point 13 miles south of Oban, here the main thrust of the business is to take wildlife tours down to the gulf of Corry reckan, which is home to the world’s third largest whirlpool.

And as most tours are taken place from spring to early winter, visitors get the chance to spot all sorts of different animals through the seasons – as well as the spectacular whirlpools which are created by the tides in the early part of the year.

The whole area of Argyll waters comes under European special area of conservation and this is one of the main reason that the visitors enjoy fresh and good seafood.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust(WWT) found in a recent research that there are growing fears of Polar Bears  preying on the eggs of barnacle geese who migrate to the Solway Firth in Scotland each winter.

The bears have turned to the eggs after being stranded on land in the summer months as a result of diminishing ice. And, the centre have recorded an increase in the polar bear activity while monitoring a barnacle goose colony on the Arctic island of Svalbard. If the situation continues bird numbers could be devastated, the researchers worried.

Barnacle goose Barnacle goose numbers have risen dramatically over the past 60 years. But the polar bears are now capable of diminishing there numbers by eating more than 1,000 eggs at one sitting.

Of more than 500 nests on the island, fewer than 40 were successful and most of them had very small clutch sizes of only one or two gosling. The geese are very long-lived birds and their survival rate is increased if they don’t actually breed, especially the females.

Zoologists says that if their breeding continues to be affected in this way the population will quickly age, which threatens its stability and the future conservation of this bird which is very special to WWT.

The entire population of Svalbard barnacle geese winter on the Solway Firth and return to breed in the Arctic each summer.

If you are looking for a weekend itinerary, choose for a walking tour onto the Eildon Hills in Melrose, Scotland. The Eldion Hills are said to be the icons of the Borders and are visible from miles around. Steeped in legend and history, the King Arthur and his army are said to have lived up here. The Iron Age man and Romans have also called it their home in the past.

Although the walk up is steep, quickly you’ll get views down to Melrose and its picturesque abbey. Mid Hill, at 1,385ft, is the highest of the Eildons and the first point you’ll reach at. From here you can get fantastic views across the rolling Borders countryside. You then walk to the top of North Hill, once the site of an Iron Age fort and a Roman Hill Station. You’ll get better view of the Tweed Valley, with the old railway viaduct at Leaderfoot visible below.

A steep descent takes you close to where the Queen of the Fairies is once said to have got to work on a Borders man, Thomas the Rhymer (She entranced him away to fairyland and when he returned several years later – although he thought he had only been gone a few days – he had the ability to see into the future.).  You can take a detour to a memorial marking the actual spot it is said to have happened. It takes 3 to 4 hours for you to reach the top of the hill and the distance is almost 5 miles from below. The road that leads to the top can be muddy and rough, so that a full walking gear is needed. Also, you are at the mercy of the elements on top.

The lanes and paths from top of the hills lead back to the pretty town of Melrose. In the centre of Melrose, opposite the abbey, there is a pay and display car park. Melrose is blessed with a great range of places to eat and drink including Marmions Brasserie, Burt’s Hotel and a range of cafés. For a really good, vibrant pub try the Ship Inn.

While you holiday in Melrose visit places that have some significance to the past. At the centre of the town is the place where the heart of Robert the Bruce is thought to have buried. The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre, just next to the library passed at the start of the walk, is full of interesting history about the town and the surrounding countryside.

Scotland has an outstanding diversity of cetacean watching opportunities with its extensive coastline, numerous headlands and rich inshore waters. Recently, there were evident sightings of dolphins and whales have reported in Moray Firth and at Spey Bay.

It is not months, but only a few weeks since the bottle-nose colony of dolphins along the coast in Moray Firth started to delight wildlife watchers. The authorities got worried since the influx of visitors started to increase and they have issued a plea for the public to act responsibly to ensure Scotland remains number one place in Europe for dolphin watching. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society is concerned following reports of harassment.

Harbour porpoises and minke whales have also been reported from the WDCS wildlife centres and other shore-based watching sites around Scotland. Pilot whales have been spotted near Cromarty in spring and a “super-pod” of common dolphins in Gairloch. There are some great land-based watching sites all around Scotland that are really easy for visitors to reach by car or on foot. The authorities reminds the public, if anyone is out watching dolphins by boat on the water, they can keep a safe distance away from them to ensure the animals security.

It is always an unforgettable experience to see whales and dolphins in their natural environment. All you need is a bit patience to spot them in sea raise up by chance.

One of the seven beaches in Scotland, Coldingham won the coveted International award in 2010 which is recognised around the world- The Blue Flag status for the first time. Another 56 beaches were commended by Keep Scotland Beautiful(KSB), for their quality, but Elie Harbour Beach in Fife and Montrose Seafront in Angus lost the award for failing to meet the criteria including the highest EU standards of bathing water.

A sheltered sandy beach within the bay, it stretches for a kilometre with rocky shores at either end of the beach. Besides, many amenities like cafe, car parking, toilets and disabled access, this beach also offers wonderful views of the surrounding coastline for anybody who would like to take a stroll on the beach. Popular with surfers and body boarders, it has 55 beach huts which are said to be a100 years old.

One can find flowers like rest-harrow and butterflies such as the small copper on the beach sides and also thousands of cliff nesting birds in spring at the nearby St Abbs Head nature reserve.

Chief executive of KSB, John Summers says in the BBC article:

“I am particularly delighted to welcome Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders to the Blue Flag list and to see more beaches joining the award scheme in Aberdeenshire and Angus too.”

Scotland, well known for its unspoilt and stunning surroundings has been a factor for the number of Seaside Awards soaring in the past decades which in turn become a major boost for the tourist industry.

Have you ever fancied to go for that dream drive on the one of the most picturesque routes in Scotland? If yes, then get ready for a dream run on the ten-mile stretch of the A817 from Loch Lomond to Garelochhead which has been voted as the most scenic stretch in Scotland. This beautiful stretch which extends up through the Glen Fruin was recently voted the most scenic stretch in a poll of motorist conducted to find Britains best drives.

This pleasant stretch has been known for its splendid views, thanks to the Loch Lomond and The Trossach National Park which adds charm to the place. Meanwhile, last year A87 was voted the best stretch, but this new found stretch from Loch Lomond to Grelochhead is also among the top five UK’s best drives. Been built for transporting military supplies, today this spectacular stretch stands out to be one of the most idyllic and beautiful stretch of Scotland.

Driving on this stretch resembles as if you are riding on a rollercoaster, with the nature of the road rising 1000ft above Glen Fruin and dropping hundred of feet, driving on it remains special. Being the top favourite among riders and motorists, this beautiful stretch has always attracted many motorists to experience a memorable drive on this ten-mile road.

As part of the Scottish beaver Trial (SBT), the first beavers of the wild in Scotland dating back to 400 years have been released to a designated trial area in Mid Argyll for a time period of five years. Since being hunted to extinction in UK in the 16th century, this marks the first ever formal reintroduction of the native mammal into the wild in the UK, after years of lobbying from conservation experts and ecologists who believes that it was a missing part in the Scotland’s wetland ecosystem.

Beaver facts:

Originally from Norway, beavers were hunted to extinction in Scotland because they were very valuable. Highly prized, their soft, thick and waterproof fur was very fashionable and it was also highly sought after for its secretion castoreum that contains salicylic acid which was produced in a gland below the tail and was an active ingredient of aspirin. In some areas, they were an important part of the diet and they were a substitute for fish by the Roman Catholics on Fridays.

Chairman of the Scottish wildlfe trust, Allan Bantick said:

“Today, we take one more step towards rebuilding the natural biodiversity of Scotland. Beavers are known to bring a vast number of benefits to other native Scottish wildlife as well as wetland and waterside habitats. Our reintroduction follows in the footsteps of 24 other European countries, who have already reintroduced beavers to over 150 different sites.”

As the beavers settle into their new purpose built artificial lodges, the real work of the SBT begins. The trial is all about a scientific study on how the beavers cope naturally in the Scottish environment and what the various effects they have upon it are… To help inform the independent scientific monitoring coordinated by the Scottish Natural Heritage, they will be closely watched and data will be collected over the next five years.

Visitors will be allowed to see the trial site over time but first the beavers need to settle down. By timing, early morning or early evening will be the right time to spot these intriguing animals in the wild.

Glasgow  became a perfect hostess to scores of travel agents from around the world who had assembled here to promote Scotland tourism all over the world. The best part is that  generated  a  staggering £1.7 million for the city as they took a glance at the  city’s sights and booked with some the 250 exhibitors at the SECC event.

Over 800 travel agents and  tour operators  from 30 different countries including the USA, Japan, China and Australia attended the Visit Scotland Tourism Expo where they forged  tie ups  and made deals with various Scottish companies. Glasgow has once again proved the most popular place for the agents to take tours and get informed about the city.

The rich culture and history of Glasgow was showcased at  Braehead’s Xscape centre,Clyde Waterfront and a host of hotels, as well as many attractions from the surrounding countryside, including the Glengoyne Distillery north of the city. For most of the buyers it was their first visit to Scotland and the national tourism organisation, provided introductory tours around the city and the country to give them a glimpse of the tourist potential of Glasgow. The tour operators were upbeat and confident that they would be able to bring in more tourists to Glasgow from many far off countries like India and China despite the geography.

Tourism in Scotland employs 200,000 people and  generates more than £4 billion for the national economy each year. The recently concluded tourism expo likely to add up to the tourism revenue and popularity of Glasgow, well known for its culture, festival, sporting events and topography.