Spring Birds, Granny Pines and an Electric Boat

About this episode

The episode explores foraging, tree conservation, sustainable fishing, and climbing activities in Scotland.

We hear more from Mark’s time with forager Mark Williams. They met up at Wigtown Bay on a rather wet and blustery day and headed along the coast to look for sea radish. Rachel meets up with Rosie Beetschen from Cairngorms Connect and Ross Watson from Forestry Land Scotland to hear all about some of the oldest and most interesting trees, Granny Pines. They take a wander in Glenmore to find a rather impressive specimen. About four years ago, fisherman Hans Unkles took the engine out of his boat, Lorna Jane, and replaced it with an electric motor and batteries. Mark caught up with Hans in Fraserburgh to hear how successful his electric boat has been and whether any other fisherman have been persuaded to copy him. Every week, poet and musician Bobby Motherwell visits RSPB Lochwinnoch to volunteer. He was also poet in residence at the reserve and has written a book all about his time there. Rachel met up with him in one of the hides and heard some of his tales and poems. The Ledge in Inverness is the Highland's largest climbing gym and a National Bouldering and Performance Centre which has been built on the foundations of community, inclusivity and positivity. Phil Sime headed along…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel

Guests: Mark Williams, Rosie Beetschen, Ross Watson, Hans Unkles, Bobby Motherwell

Topics covered

• foraging
• wildlife
• sustainable fishing
• climbing
• poetry
• tree conservation

Keywords

• spring birds
• Granny Pines
• electric boat
• foraging
• climbing gym
• wild bird feeding

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RSPB, Cairngorms Connect, Forestry Land Scotland, The Ledge

Places: Inverness, Wigtown Bay, Glenmore, Fraserburgh, RSPB Lochwinnoch

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