Thrill of the Hill - Between a Rock Rose and a Hard Place

Thrill of the Hill is back for season 6! Armed with a new team, new ideas and a range of new speakers, Alex takes on the hot topics impacting the farmed upland environment. Often overlooked and easily mistaken for its more common relatives, the Northern Brown Argus butterfly is a small but significant species found in parts of Scotland. Closely tied to very specific habitats and entirely dependent on the rock rose plant for survival, its presence is a clear indicator of healthy, species-rich grassland. In this episode Harry Fisher, host of the Natural Capital Podcast sheds light on the efforts to protect this elusive butterfly, we explore the unique ecology of the Northern Brown Argus, why it matters, and what its story tells us about biodiversity, land use, and conservation challenges in Scotland — and why saving a single species can sometimes mean saving a landscape. Want to get in touch with Harry? He can be contacted at SAC Consulting Ltd via email enquiries at [email protected]. Related FAS ResourcesTechnical Note (TN712): Land Management for ButterfliesMonitoring Pollinators On Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service