Out of Doors

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Factual: Science & Nature

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Out of Doors: A Lost Railway, an Eco-Bothy and a Trip in an Electric Car

A Lost Railway, an Eco-Bothy and a Trip in an Electric Car

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, A Lost Railway, an Eco-Bothy and a Trip in an Electric Car

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with stories from the great outdoors.

Ramblers Scotland has embarked upon a landmark court battle against a landowner’s attempts to permanently stop people using a path that runs through his West Highland estate.  Euan speaks to Ramblers Scotland director, Brendan Paddy and estate owner, Donald Houston, about the background to the case.

Last weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the Cairngorm disaster.  Five teenage school pupils and their 18-year-old guide froze to death on the Cairngorm plateau in what remains the worst mountaineering disaster in British history.  In 2018, Mark and Euan spoke to two of those involved in the rescue efforts, Mario Di Maio and Graham Macdonald.  We hear their memories of that event. 

Mark visits the Huntly eco-bothy, a converted farmhouse redeveloped on behalf of the local community by the Huntly and District Development Trust.  The project was finished last year just before lockdown and Mark hears what’s been happening since.	

Last week a listener got in touch to suggest Mark's morning fire-pit wasn't very good for the environment.  We're joined live by Dr Jessica Slater who explains the good and bad points of open fires and what the alternatives might be. 

Euan has recently bought an electric car and last weekend embarked on his first long distance journey in it.  He recorded an audio diary for us as he made his way from Aberdeenshire to Loch Creran and back.

The Dalmunzie Estate in Glenshee was once home to a rather unique railway that transported guests from a hotel to a shooting lodge.  Mark visits Dalmunzie to find out all about it. 				

This week’s Scotland Outdoors podcast features Dee Heddon who is a Professor of theatre studies at Glasgow University.  Dee established the Walking Library and she’s currently heading up a new research project looking at how walking can be encouraged both during and recovering from a pandemic.  Mark and Helen met her for a wander round Glasgow. 

And of course, mystery bird is back. This week’s featured bird is a winter visitor to parts of Scotland, can you identify from its call?

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Out of Doors

A Lost Railway, an Eco-Bothy and a Trip in an Electric Car

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