Out of Doors

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Factual: Science & Nature

Out of Doors: Green Cumbernauld, a New National Park and Cider

Green Cumbernauld, a New National Park and Cider

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, Green Cumbernauld, a New National Park and Cider

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors.

Earlier this week NatureScot approved an application from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to release up to six beaver families in the upper River Spey catchment.  Mark hears about the significance of the return of beaver to the Cairngorms after 400 years.	
				
Cumbernauld has won more than its fair share of unflattering awards over the years including Plook on the Plinth. However, as Rachel discovers, around half of Cumbernauld is actually made up of green spaces.  She visits one such area, St Maurice’s Pond.

Maud Start is in Dalkeith country park to hear about the different classifications for ancient trees.

The Scottish Government has committed to creating at least one new National Park by 2026.  We hear from Grant Moir, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms National Park about why that’s a good idea and the impact National Park designation has on those who live, work and visit that area.

Areas that are interested in becoming that new National Park have until the end of February to submit their bids.  Over the next couple of months on Out of Doors, we’ll hear from each of the ten areas about why they should be the next park.  This week Mark speaks to groups behind two of the bids; Affric to Alladale and Affric and Loch Ness, to hear why they think each place should win the designation. 
			
This year has been a bumper one for spotting waxwings in Scotland.  The striking birds are winter visitors to this country from Scandinavia and Rachel headed to Inchgarth Nature Reserve with Ian Broadbent to hear why there have been so many this year. 

While she was in Cumbernauld Rachel also visited the Wild Ways Well project at one of their sessions at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Cumbernauld Glen nature reserve.  It’s an innovative mental health project which gets people out and about in their local area and learning new skills. 

Cider might not be the obvious thing that springs to mind when you think of the North East of Scotland.  But as Mark finds out, it is the perfect home for artisanal cider maker, Christian Stolte and his award-winning cider.

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