Cranes, Mast Climbing and Skunk Cabbage
From Scotland Outdoors by BBC Radio Scotland
May 9, 2026 · 1h 24m
About this episode
The episode explores cranes, invasive plants, walking art, health walks, and celebrates Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.
Mark heads to the New Pitsligo area of Aberdeenshire with Hywel Maggs from RSPB Scotland, on the trail of cranes. For a bird that can reach over a metre tall and with a wingspan of double that, they can be rather tricky to spot. The ranger service in Aberdeen is busy tackling an invasive plant which seems to be a growing problem. Rachel heads to Walker Dam in the city with countryside officer Simon Whitworth to hear all about American Skunk Cabbage. Claudia Zeiske is a walking artist. Her latest project has involved walking the Ayrshire Coast as a dedication to the geologist Elizabeth Anderson Gray. Mark met her at Girvan beach to hear more about Elizabeth and Claudia’s project. Every Tuesday, rangers in Moray lead what is known as a health walk in and around Dufftown. Rachel went along to join the group and chat to some of those who were taking part. Forager Mark Williams shows Mark more of the Galloway coastline and what can be found at this time of year, especially in rock pools. On Friday 8 May Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday. To mark the occasion on Out of Doors, Rachel spoke to producer and director Alastair Fothergill, who has made some of Sir David’s…
People in this episode
Hosts: Mark, Rachel
Guests: Hywel Maggs, Simon Whitworth, Claudia Zeiske, Mark Williams, Alastair Fothergill, Marian Burrow
Topics covered
- birds
- invasive plants
- foraging
- walking art
- health walks
- environmental impact
- celebrity influence
Keywords
- cranes
- American Skunk Cabbage
- foraging
- walking art
- health walks
- Sir David Attenborough
- environment
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: RSPB Scotland
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