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BBC Radio Scotland


A topical guide to life in the Scottish outdoors.


Scotland Outdoors

The Whithorn Way follows an ancient pilgrim route from Glasgow to Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway. In this episode, Mark and Rachel start with a quick stop off at Renfrew to contemplate the motivation for pilgrimage in medieval times. Then they head to Paisley Cathedral to learn about the unearthing of a drain which revealed a slate containing musical notation from the 1400's. And they end up at the RSPB's Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve for a bit of wildlife watching and poetry.

The Whithorn Way - Part 2 - Paisley to Lochwinnoch

The Perthshire scientist hopes the wheel will encourage people to rediscover some of the lost tastes and uses of our wild plants.

Wild Scottish Flavour Wheel

Mark and Helen visit Ingliston for this year’s Royal Highland Show. They meet a nurse with her prize winning Highland cow and They also explore the history of the Highland pony, and its enduring connection to Scotland’s rural heritage.

A festival devoted entirely to composting is taking place in Fife. Rachel visits Cambo Gardens to discover what it's all about, with head gardener Callum Halstead as her guide.

Mark and Rachel will be speaking to author Keli Tomlin about the significance of the summer solstice which marks the longest day and shortest night of the year.

In Perthshire, Rachel meets scientist Dr Marion Bruce to learn about an exciting new project: The Wild Scottish Flavour Wheel. From seaweed to sticky willy, it’s a guide to the diverse—and often surprising—tastes found in Scotland’s wild landscape.

Mark chats with Jim Wilson from Soil Essentials about how autonomous tractors are helping to ease the workload for farmers and transform the future of agriculture.

Whatever the weather, a group of over-50s in West Lothian meets each week to take part in a variety of activities organised by the Xcite Ageing Well programme. This week, Rachel joins the Linlithgow walking group—some of whom have been coming for years—to find out what keeps them coming back.

Summer Solstice, Royal Highland Show and Composting

The Whithorn Way follows an ancient pilgrim route from Glasgow to Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway. In this episode, Mark and Rachel visit the Lochwinnoch Community Larder where food waste from supermarkets is re-distributed to the community. This is followed by a refreshing visit to the Lynn Sprout waterfall. Then it's off to Kilwinning to meet the Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers. Mark and Helen then take the Garnock Valley Cycle Way to Irvine, whilst Rachel stops off at the Garnock Floods Wildlife Reserve. We end on the waterfront in Irvine with ice cream and sunshine.

The Whithorn Way - Part 3 - Lochwinnoch to Irvine

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with this Saturday's Scotland Outdoors podcast.

Cabbage, swifts, charts,John Muir and clouds

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with a bonus podcast on the life of John Muir.

Celebrating the life of John Muir in Yosemite National Park.

The regeneration of Glenfeshie, the secrets of Banff and a very unusual ice sculpture

Mark discovers the secrets of Banff, pays a visit to an ice sculpture whilst Euan's hears about the regeneration of Glenfeshie

Mark spends the day with hill sheep farmer Lorraine Luescher during lambing.

Mark Stephen with an in depth look at Scottish hill sheep farming from Dumfries and Galloway.

A wildlife safari in the Angus Glens, an angry bird and how to ID birds by their song

Mark goes on a wildlife safari in the Angus Glens, Euan discovers how to ID birds by their song and avoids an angry bird

Including his personal account of building the Secret Howff of Beinn A Bhuird.

The Whithorn Way - Part 3 - Lochwinnoch to Irvine

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