Scotland's Sea Eagles: Balancing Conservation and Farming
Fifty years since their reintroduction, Scotland now hosts around 200 breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles (also known as sea eagles), representing both a remarkable conservation success and a challenge for some farmers and crofters. This podcast explores the relationship between these magnificent birds and farming communities through conversations with NatureScot's Andrew Kent and Appin-based sheep farmer David Colthart.We hear how eagle predation impacts sheep flocks and how the recently expanded Sea Eagle Management Scheme supports farmers with deterrence and adaptation strategies. The discussion reveals emerging collaborative approaches, including enhanced shepherding and research to track predation patterns.From extinction to reintroduction, conservation success to agricultural concerns - this episode examines the multifaceted story of Scotland's sea eagles and the ongoing efforts to balance wildlife conservation with the needs of rural livelihoods.
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Beyond Hospital Walls: Green Spaces, Healing Places
Green Health Week spotlights NHS Ayrshire and Arran's pioneering approach to transforming hospital grounds into therapeutic spaces for patients, staff, and the wider community.Public Health Programme Lead Elaine Caldow shares the journey from a small demonstration project to a comprehensive approach that treats nature as medicine. Assistant Director of Estates and Support Services Helen Gemmell reveals how initial management concerns about risk have evolved into widespread staff enthusiasm for these restorative environments.We visit the Kyle Chemotherapy Unit with Deputy Charge Nurse Wendy Ruiz de Pascal to see how the garden spaces are supporting patients during treatment, and discover The Conservation Volunteers' innovative 'green gyms', Acorn Garden, and guided nature walks with Lindsay Twilley.This episode showcases Scotland's pioneering integration of nature into healthcare settings—creating spaces for calm, hope and healing while simultaneously advancing sustainability goals and demonstrating that when hospitals make space for nature, remarkable healing happens.
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Science on the Solway - how geese are helping us better understand avian flu
Join us as we travel to the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway to meet staff from NatureScot's wildlife management team - Jenny Park, Rae McKenzie and Alastair MacGugan.The team talk us through their vital research into the highly pathogenic avian influenza – or avian flu as it's more commonly known – and the impact it's having on the thousands of barnacle geese that migrate to the Solway Firth each winter from their Arctic breeding grounds.In this episode, you'll learn about the collaborative research efforts underway and how cutting-edge science is helping us better understand bird responses to avian flu. You'll also discover the importance of this work for wildlife conservation and how it contributes to our wider understanding of disease management in wild bird populations.More Information:Scottish Government avian influenza updatesNatureScot avian influenza (bird flu) guidance Bird flu (avian influenza): how to spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds
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Bogging Brilliant: The Power of Peatland Restoration
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Named by nature: exploring the Gaelic roots of Scotland's landscapes and wildlife, with Roddy Maclean
Join us as we chat with Roddy Maclean, a celebrated Gaelic journalist and educator. Together, we uncover the profound ties between the Gaelic language and Scotland's natural world.Roddy shares his unique path from lowland Scotland to Tasmania and back again, where his roots in Applecross ignited a lifelong passion for indigenous languages and their connection to the land and the sea.He demonstrates how Gaelic helps us understand and protect Scotland's nature, and explains why keeping Gaelic alive matters for both our culture and our understanding of Scotland's landscapes today.More Information:Roddy Maclean - Scotland's Nature blogNatureScot Gaelic ResourcesWorld Gaelic Week 2025Make Space For Nature (Gaelic)A’ tighinn gu nàdarra: a’ rùrach fhreumhan Gàidhlig ann an cruthan-tìre is fiadh-bheatha na h-Alba, còmhla ri Ruairidh MacIlleathainThig nar cuideachd ’s sinn a’ bruidhinn ri Ruairidh MacIlleathain, a tha na fhear-naidheachd ’s fhear-teagaisg cliùiteach. Bidh sinn a’ meòrachadh air na dlùth-cheanglaichean eadar a’ Ghàidhlig ’s saoghal nàdarra na h-Alba.Bidh Ruairidh ag innse dhuinn mun t-slighe shònraichte aige bhon Ghalldachd gu Tasmania agus air ais, far an do las a fhreuman ris a’ Chòmraich an dealas aige fad a bheatha airson chànanan dùthchasach ’s ceanglaichean cànanach ris an tìr ’s a’ mhuir.Bidh e a’ cur an cèill mar a bhios a’ Ghàidhlig gar cuideachadh gus nàdar na h-Alba a thuigsinn agus a dhìon, agus bidh e a’ mìneachadh carson a tha e cudromach a’ Ghàidhlig a chumail beò an dà chuid air math ar cultair ’s ar tuigse air cruthan-tìre na h-Alba san latha an-diugh.Barrachd fiosrachaidh:Roddy Maclean Ruairidh MacIlleathain - blogaichean Scotland's NatureGoireasan Gàidhlig NàdarAlbaSeachdain na Gàidhlig 2025Dèan Àite Dha Nàdar
NatureScot presents podcasts that celebrate Scotland's nature and landscapes. In each episode you'll find numerous ways to connect with - and protect - our amazing natural world. We want to inspire everyone to join the fight against climate change and reverse nature loss. Immerse yourself and #MakeSpaceForNature in your life. www.nature.scot
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