About this episode

The episode explores foraging, the longest canal tunnel in Scotland, and the craft of dry-stone dyking while paying tribute to wildlife cameraman Doug Allan.

Mark is in Gatehouse of Fleet with Mark Williams who has a new book out called The Coastal Forager. The pair chat about identifying coastal plants and have a nibble of a few different species. In this week’s podcast excerpt, Rachel meets Arlene Stuart, one of the presenters of Landward, which is celebrating five decades on air. The 200 year old Falkirk Tunnel is the longest canal tunnel in Scotland. Richard Millar, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Canals, gives Rachel the guided tour. Mark joins dry-stone dyker, Alexis Zafiropoulos, in Alford, Aberdeenshire to talk about the sense of belonging Alexis has developed in the North-East through practising this ancient craft. Mark meets Mary Smith, Engagement Ranger at Threave Nature Reserve in Castle Douglas to discover more about The Threave Landscape Restoration Project which is designed on a 100 year ecological timescale. Poet Jim Carruth’s new book, Knockan, set in the far north west of Scotland, reflects his interest in geology and passion for farming. Rachel meets Jim in Renfrewshire to find out more. The acclaimed wildlife cameraman Doug Allan, from Dunfermline, Fife, has died after becoming unwell on a mountain trek in…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel

Guest: Mark Williams

Topics covered

• foraging
• canal tunnels
• dry-stone dyking
• wildlife
• landscape restoration
• Scottish culture

Keywords

• foraging
• canal tunnel
• dry-stone dyking
• Scottish wildlife
• landscape restoration
• coastal plants
• geology
• farming

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC L.A.B Scotland

Books & works: The Coastal Forager, Knockan

Places: Gatehouse of Fleet, Alford, Aberdeenshire, Threave Nature Reserve, Castle Douglas, Renfrewshire, Dunfermline, Fife, Kirkaldy

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