Thrill Of The Hill

Biodiversity auditing has become part of the Scottish Governments Whole Farm Plan and discussions around nature conservation are becoming commonplace around the farm table. In today’s episode Alex is joined by senior ecologist Dr Lorna Cole for a broad discussion on the state of Scotlands Nature and where biodiversity auditing fits into the bigger ambitions for nature restoration. Lorna also puts Alex in the hot seat to talk about levels of farmer agreement with habitat classifications. This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond. Timestamps01.48 Introducing Dr Lorna Cole 02.36 Current state of nature in Scotland 07.19 How significant is agricultural land in combating biodiversity decline 13.24 Biodiversity auditing 19.40 Completing your habitat map 23.54 Alex – level of agreement between farmers and consultants in regard to habitat identification for the Whole Farm Plan 29.37 NatureScot Farm Biodiversity Scotland App 34.30 Submitting your biodiversity audit 36.28 Biodiversity audit – where to start 40.22 The value in Biodiversity Auditing 43.05 An opportunity to demonstrate the contribution agriculture is already making to nature 44.15 Lorna’s take home message ResourcesState of Nature Scotland - 2023 report NatureScot - biodiversity app Whole Farm Plan full guidance Events | Farm Advisory Service Improving Biodiversity on Your Farm | Helping farmers in Scotland Increasing Biodiversity to Build Resilient Farms | Helping farmers in Scotland Using technology to record biodiversity | Helping farmers in Scotland [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

The beef industry in Scotland is resilient and adaptable, whether it’s changing markets and cost of production pressures, policy developments or the new entrant bottleneck. To help us navigate these topics and many more, today we are joined by Senior Beef Specialist Gavin Hill to discuss the outlook for the beef sector.This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond.Timestamps01.48 Introducing Gavin Hill02.58 What’s topical in the beef sector at the moment10.57 Factors impacting price movements15.32 Impact of international conflicts on the industry16.36 Policy and regulatory changes19.11 Outlook for cattle numbers25.00 Labour27.55 The world situation can change all the time29.50 Scotch Beef is a unique product31.40 Farmers responding to environmental policy34.18 Outlook for the industry, short and longer term36.47 Risks that we should be prepared for39.38 Opportunities for the sector41.20 Gavins take home messageResourcesLivestock resources for farmers from Farm Advisory ServiceThrill Of The Hill RSS Feed (Virtually Stock Proof 21.10.22, Virtual fencing 24.09.20)[email protected] more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]

Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. Today we're talking about one of Scotland's most iconic groups of farmland birds – our waders. Species such as lapwing, curlew, redshank and snipe have long been part of the Scottish farming landscape. Their calls and displays are synonymous with springtime on farms and crofts across the country, yet many of these species have experienced significant declines over recent decades. Toby Wilson from RSPB Scotland joins us to discuss what is driving these changes, what practical management can help reverse them, and how current funding schemes can support farmers and crofters who want to make space for nature alongside productive agriculture. Timestamps01.17 Introducing Toby Wilson (RSPB Senior Conservation Officer) 02.43 How agricultural landscapes fit into wider wildlife conservation 04.23 The importance of farmers and crofters for delivering nature conservation outcomes 06.44 Farm Wildlife Walks 10.02 The Forth Estuary 15.18 Habitat value of coastal marshland for waders 16.55 The importance of a supporting mosaic of habitats 19.24 Wader numbers in Scotland and some of the main pressures affecting waders 25.55 Habitat connectivity specifically for waders 29.22 What gives Toby hope 33.51 Nature Scot – Nature Restoration Fund 41.50 The future for waders in Scotland 44.34 Toby’s take home messages ResourcesRSPB Scotland Working for Waders Making a difference for waders in the Cairngorms Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot New strongholds for wader recovery proposed | NatureScot Agri-Environment Climate Scheme Farm Wildlife Walks 2026 | Helping farmers in Scotland [email protected] For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. This is the third and final episode in our series exploring beaver reintroduction in Scotland. Across the last two episodes, we’ve looked at the challenges, concerns, and practical realities beavers bring to land management.Today, we’re joined by farmer and rewilding advocate Tom Bowser from Lerrocks farm and we’ll be focusing on the other side of the story — the ecological case for beavers, the benefits they can bring, and what a future with more beavers in Scotland might look like. Timestamps02.28 Introducing Tom Bowser07.28 Why are beavers worth having back in Scotland?08.36 Beavers: ecosystem engineers and keystone species12.40 Beavers, the most controversial animal that we have at the moment?14.10 Practical benefits of beavers22.03 Biodiversity and hairy bottomed handstands!27.23 Balancing the benefits with the challenges32.49 NatureScot beaver team and available assistance37.04 Where are we likely to see beavers in the future?43.08 Food production and nature restoration, not always opposing forces FAS ResourcesThrill of the Hill Episode 12: A Damming Conclusion?https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a1a41750-26db-4341-8783-2aa9443a34c3Thrill of the Hill Episode 2: A Damming Conclusion? Part IIhttps://player.captivate.fm/episode/34096505-af92-46c9-8a66-6ee445383126 FAS - Rewilding BeaversFAS Farm Wildlife Walk Other Related ResourcesArgaty Red Kites – Rewilding Experiences in the Heart of ScotlandTom Bowser – Nature Writer, Journalist, Public SpeakerBeavers in Scotland | NatureScot For more information, visit www.FAS.scotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: [email protected]