Original version

BBC Radio Shetland

Out of Doors

Factual: Science & Nature

BBC Radio Orkney

BBC Radio Scotland FM

BBC Radio Scotland Extra

BBC Radio Scotland Highlands and Islands

Out of Doors: 21/01/2012

21/01/2012

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, 21/01/2012

Mark Stephen speaks to Andrew Barbour, chair of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group.

Rural traders complain of soaring business rates. We hear how traders in the village of Ballater are lobbying Finance Minister, John Swinney, to cut business rates. They say they've experienced rises of between 80 and 140% in the last two years.

Ahead of Burns Night, we visit the farm that brought an end to his career in agriculture - Ellisland. But it did signal a very productive time for him poetically. He is said to have written a third of all his poems in the three years he lived there, including Tam O'Shanter and Auld Lang Syne. Plus, Euan takes a walk along the route described in Tam O'Shanter.

In the first of our mini series on Scotland's wee hills, Mark climbs Dumyat in the Ochils, a range of hills arguably undercelebrated by Scots, but enjoyed by tourists.

Plus, has Spring sprung early? Evidence suggests it has and we'd be keen to hear about your sightings of snowdrops, daffodils, primroses and the like.

And are young people capable of managing their own risk? Helen joins pupils from Grangemouth High School as they do some indoor climbing to discover how such activities can boost learning.

Also, we meet the man who caught the first salmon on the Tay this season. And humpbacked whales spotted off Grampian.

BBC Radio Scotland

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Out of Doors

21/01/2012

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio Shetland

About BBC Radio Scotland