About this episode

The episode explores foraging, nature photography, and the importance of green spaces in Scotland.

Mark visits the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s visitor centre, the Fair Maid’s House in Perth. The society has recently received hundreds of photographic slides from nature photographer Lorne Gill which are on display in the centre. In this week’s Scotland Outdoors podcast, Rachel has been out foraging in the company of expert Janice Clyne. Janice strongly believes that foraging and fermenting can have a really positive impact on our health, and that there’s an amazing amount that plants we usually consider weeds, which could be beneficial. Mark meets Eliza Coulson at Queen’s Park in Glasgow, a place that really helped her recovery from Lyme Disease. Her experience has encouraged her to campaign for fair access to green spaces in Scotland. Earlier this week Mark and Rachel were lucky enough to spend a bit of time at Argaty Red Kites near Doune. They spent some time in the hide watching the birds getting fed and chatted to Tom Bowser and ranger Ollie about the magnificent display of kites. Back at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in Perth, Mark goes exploring in the aptly named Explorers’ Room. It’s a room where visitors are encouraged to get their hands on the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Mark, Rachel

Guests: Janice Clyne, Eliza Coulson, Jim C. Mackintosh

Topics covered

• foraging
• nature photography
• health benefits of plants
• green spaces access
• wildlife observation
• poetry
• cultural events

Keywords

• foraging
• nature photography
• health
• green spaces
• wildlife
• poetry
• Scotland

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Royal Scottish Geographical Society

Books & works: Long Water Soft Shadows

Places: Perth, Queen’s Park, Glasgow, Argaty Red Kites, Doune, Scotland

More episodes of Scotland Outdoors

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• Mudlarking, Parakeets, Narrowboats and a City Farm all from London · May 23, 2026 · 1h 23m
• Climbing the Winter Munros with Mountaineer Anna Wells · May 20, 2026 · 26 min
• Foraging and Fermenting with Janice Clyne · May 13, 2026 · 21 min
• Cranes, Mast Climbing and Skunk Cabbage · May 9, 2026 · 1h 24m

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