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Out of Doors

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Out of Doors: 18/02/2017

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18/02/2017

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, 18/02/2017

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with the latest outdoor activities.

Join Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith for the latest outdoor activities from Shetland to the Borders, plus the key stories for those who live and work in the countryside.

Fox hunting is against the law in Scotland but the use of dogs to allow the fox to be shot is allowed. Recently the Scottish Government has been looking at whether the laws need to change. It's hugely controversial and this week we get the views of Jamie Stewart of the Countryside Alliance, a body that's firmly in favour of keeping some of the traditions alive.

When many people think of dowsing they think of searching for water, but this technique can also be used to help people with illnesses including MS, ME and depression according to Allan Brownie of Aberdeenshire's BA Dowsing Team. Allan explains to Claire White what it's all about.

Eilidh MacPherson believes every farmer has a story to tell and she is no exception - she's been a professional sheep shearer in New Zealand, she currently runs a sheep farm near Castle Douglas with her husband and is editor of the Farming Country magazine. She's also found the time to compile a book called 300 Farmers where she's interviewed a diverse range of farmers across the country. Mark went to meet her on her farm and find out how the book came about.

Just over four years ago we covered the launch of a campaign to save Scotland's fresh water mussel population. Pearls in Peril was designed to highlight this important species and to try and save its habitat. Ian Sime from Scottish Natural Heritage tells Euan about the amazing lifestyle of this humble mollusc.

You might remember a few weeks ago Euan going to investigate some curious kingfisher behaviour at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's reserve at Montrose Basin. The visitor centre there has just opened for the year and has had a bit of a revamp. Laura Cuthill went for a look with visitor centre manager, Caroline Hendry.

Mark visits The devil's Porridge museum built on the site of HM Factory Gretna, once one of the largest munitions factories in the world. He takes a tour around the museum and finds out about the area's incredible war time past.

The annual BBC Countryfile magazine Reserve of the Year competition is underway. There are just a handful of reserves in the final list and only one in Scotland, the RSPB's Abernethy Forest near Grantown. Euan meets Stuart Benn from the RSPB as he makes the case for Abernethy.

Musician Jenny Sturgeon is also an ecologist and takes inspiration from the natural world for her music. She has recently recorded songs inspired by the island of St.Kilda. Euan and Mark chat to her about her latest project and hear some of the music. 

The Striding Arches are impressive structures stretching over the landscape of the South West near the village of Moniaive. Mark goes for a walk around the Cairnhead forest and hears more about the arches from local resident Dave McFadzean. 

The Unicorn is one of Scotland's national symbols. But where did this mythical beast come from and how did it end up being such an important emblem for the country? Euan investigates.

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