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Out of Doors

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Out of Doors: 28/01/2017

28/01/2017

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, 28/01/2017

Mark Stephen visits TLC Potatoes, plus Euan McIlwraith hears about bank branch closures.

Mark Stephen visits TLC Potatoes to find out about the journey of a mini-tuber and the importance of seed potatoes, plus Euan McIlwraith hears about the effects of bank closures.

Mark visits TLC Potatoes near Banchory to find out about the journey of a mini-tuber and the importance of seed potatoes to the North East of Scotland. 

Earlier this week the Clydesdale Bank announced it was closing 40 branches across Scotland, many of them in rural areas. One such branch is in Aberlour in Moray where the planned closure has sparked an online petition. Euan visits the village to find out what the closure will mean for locals. 

Wildlife crime is sadly a topic we cover all too often on this programme and last year we covered the launch of a consultation on possible changes to the issue of general licences. That's the licence that allows gamekeepers to control certain species. The consultation has now finished so Euan caught up with Robbie Kernahan from Scottish Natural Heritage to hear what they have found.

Wednesday the 1st February marks the start of the salmon fishing season on the River Tweed. The Tweed has the longest salmon season in Scotland running until 30th November. Mark went for a walk along the river with Nick Yonge, Director of the Tweed Foundation.

Forvie Sands north of Aberdeen are the fifth largest sand dune system in Britain, and the least disturbed by human activity. They are famed for the bird life and seals that make their homes there. Mark goes to see what he can find along with Darryl Short from the Nature Reserve.

A campaign has been launched in Moray to rebuild the railway from Banff to Elgin. Inspired by the success of the Borders light railway this narrow gauge railway is hoped to bring tourists and commuters to this area which lost its trains as part of the infamous Beeching cuts. Euan takes a look back at what the cuts meant for the area ahead of a public meeting being held tomorrow.

Keen gardeners in Tarland are being given the opportunity to swap their seeds with others in the area. The idea is that seeds grown in the North East are hardier and last longer in the harsh weather than those ordered online or bought from shops. Mark went to find out about more and met Gill Butler-Orli and Lizzy Shepherd of the Tarland Development Group who are behind the scheme. 

The corn bunting is a small, chunky bird which was once common in Scotland but has sadly fallen on hard times. However, they do still thrive in small pockets of the country. It's something the RSPB are trying to build on and Euan met RSPB officer Yvonne Stephan on a farm near Arbroath to find out how.

In the latest of our new Out of Doors soundscapes, we hear from Euan's much loved Landrover Defender.

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