Advertise on podcast: Make Space For Nature

High on the slopes of Ben Lui in the Southern Highlands, a quiet restoration is underway. In this episode, we join volunteers and NatureScot staff for a day of tree planting on one of Scotland's finest National Nature Reserves.  Peter Kelly, Operations Officer at NatureScot, tells us all about the effort to bring back montane scrub — a rare habitat of dwarf trees and low shrubs that once covered Scotland's uplands but has been pushed to the edge of extinction by centuries of intensive grazing.  From spiky exclosures and GPS-collared cattle to the painstaking work of planting woolly and downy willow on steep crags in all weathers, this episode explores what it really takes to restore a lost piece of Scotland's natural landscape — and why it matters.

A sand dune can look lifeless but is actually one of the most important places for biodiversity in Scotland. We head to the Moray coast to explore the Findhorn Hinterland, where a small, determined local charity is restoring dunes, grassland and woodland while keeping the whole community involved. Along the way we hear why Nature 30 recognition matters for safeguarding the site, and why conservation success can start right on your doorstep. We’re joined by Jonathan Caddy from the Findhorn Hinterland Trust, who shares the long story of this landscape, from childhood memories to today’s hands-on habitat management across a 50-hectare mosaic. He explains what it takes to run a community conservation organisation, how volunteering keeps momentum, and why environmental education with local schools is central to long-term nature recovery. Then Alan Watson Featherstone, founder of Trees for Life, brings us into the tiny world that most of us miss: lichens, fungi and invertebrates that hold ecosystems together. Ecologist Sean Wade walks us through sand dune restoration in practical detail, including the challenge of scrub encroachment, the need for early successional habitats, and the careful work of creating new bare sand that rare species can use for decades.  Subscribe for more stories from Scotland’s wild places, share this with someone who loves the coast, and leave us a review with your favourite moment from the conversation.

A city park can look ordinary until you realise it's part of a much bigger plan. From Leith Links in Edinburgh, we explore how a citywide Nature Network is being built to tackle biodiversity loss, prepare for climate change, and make neighbourhoods healthier and more beautiful. Fiona Leith chats to Alexandra Hoadley, Ecologist and Greenspace Development Officer at the City of Edinburgh Council, who explains how mapping and local knowledge has become an action plan of 200-plus projects — including how planters and small habitat patches can matter as much as big parks. Her favourite example: the northern brown argus butterfly and the rock-rose plant acting as stepping stones between key sites. Then we travel to North Ayrshire, where Biodiversity Officer Neal Lochrie gives a candid look at delivery challenges — public confusion, limited community capacity, and the need to link global climate stories to local species and places. We dig into funding, partnerships, and how shared tools like the NatureScot Nature Networks toolbox help councils move from mapping to action. If you care about wildlife corridors, wildflower meadows, and greener streets, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with someone who loves their local park, and leave a review with one small action you're willing to try this month.

In this episode, we chat to Greig McBride, creator of 'Scotland Uncovered', who makes the case that rain and mist aren't obstacles to enjoying Scotland — they're part of what makes it extraordinary. Greig shares a practical one-week itinerary taking in Loch Lomond, Glencoe, the west coast, and the Cairngorms, alongside an honest conversation about the pressures of overtourism on places like Skye and the NC500 — and why quieter islands like Mull, Lewis and Harris, Orkney, and Shetland deserve far more love. He also explores small but meaningful ways to care for Scotland's nature, whether at home or travelling further afield, and encourages everyone to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, treating the land — and the communities who depend on it — with the respect they deserve. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fiftieth, this episode is a reminder that Scotland rewards those who take the time to explore it thoughtfully.

Goosebumps in the snow at Glen Coe. Laughter in the rain. A stranger’s kindness on Arran. We sit with traveller and creator Eddie Chee to trace how a spontaneous trip to Glasgow turned into a deep love for Scotland’s wild weather, rolling hills, and everyday magic—and why a ten‑minute walk can reset a heavy mind. We trade big‑ticket views for quieter corners, moving from the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr to Ayrshire’s coast, Stirling’s landmarks, and country parks locals often overlook. Eddie talks about using nature as a safe haven for mental health, the simple discipline of stepping outside when you least feel like it, and the relief of leaving the phone in your pocket. He shares how followers and locals steer him toward hidden gems, and how respect for the land—leave no trace, give wildlife space, read the weather—turns adventure into a habit you can sustain for life. There’s practical wisdom throughout: think of rain as texture, not a barrier; pair a short walk with a coffee to create momentum; choose off‑peak spots to spread footfall; and know when to turn back. Eddie’s story is a reminder that joy thrives on small decisions—pack a layer, pick a path, look up—and that legacy can be as simple as showing the next person it’s possible. If you’re craving a nudge to get outside, this conversation is your sign. Press play, then tell us where your first ten minutes will take you. Subscribe for more nature‑first stories, rate the show if it helped you, and share this episode with someone who needs a gentle push into fresh air.

Join us at the Solway Coast to explore how collaboration is creating climate resilience on Scotland's dynamic coastline. David Pickett from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Caerlaverock Wetland Centre and Anna Austin from Caerlaverock Estate share how they're reconnecting fragmented landscapes. With backing from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund, they're turning drains into wetlands, pastures into corridors, and local ambition into climate-ready results. Discover the practical side of restoration: cutting drains, looping burns, and carving ponds that invite lapwing, teal, and golden plover to return. Learn how grasslands and hedgerows weave through productive farms, connecting peatland, saltmarsh, and meadows into resilient networks. Partnership drives this transformation. Neighbouring landowners work together to create thriving habitats where vulnerable species, such as natterjack toads, can flourish as the climate changes. From winter skies crowded with barnacle geese to summer meadows alive with dragonflies, this is nature restoration that works for people and place. Ready to connect habitats in your area? Listen for tips on creating wildlife corridors and building partnerships that benefit both nature and communities. Information: Nature Restoration Fund WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre Caerlaverock Estate

The natural world is speaking to us through shifting species patterns, and Graham Madge from the Met Office is helping us translate. As both a climate communicator and lifelong wildlife observer, Graham brings a unique perspective to understanding how Scotland's changing climate is reshaping our beloved landscapes and wildlife. Climate change isn't just about distant polar bears - profound transformations are already underway right here in Scotland. The Scottish crossbill, a finch found nowhere else on Earth, faces an uncertain future as warming pushes its suitable habitat northward, whilst Mediterranean species like little egrets and spoonbills are becoming increasingly common visitors to our shores. Graham explores how extreme weather events accelerate these impacts, and how nature serves as both victim and potential saviour in our climate crisis. Scotland's peatlands and forests play crucial roles in carbon storage, while natural coastal defences help communities adapt to rising seas. Most importantly, he reveals how we can all help by creating connected habitats and recording the wildlife around us - turning every nature walk into vital climate science. Information: NatureScot – Climate Change Met Office – Climate Change in the UK Met Office – Effects of Climate Change

Our everyday plastic and waste choices ripple through Scotland's entire ecosystem, affecting our landscapes and wildlife. Andrew Pankhurst from Zero Waste Scotland explains how rethinking waste can transform our environment and economy. Discover Scotland's circular economy – an innovative approach where products stay in high-value use for generations, not moments. Learn from the carrier bag charge success story that achieved an 80% reduction in use and fewer bags on beaches through simple policy changes. While Plastic Free July drives environmental action, Zero Waste Scotland focuses on reducing all single-use items. Surprisingly, food waste and textiles cause greater environmental harm than plastic, scoring highest for carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, land use, and water consumption. Understanding these impacts helps us prioritise the most effective solutions. Explore innovative programmes like Stirling's Ditching Disposables initiative and Glasgow's Borrow Cup scheme that make sustainable choices convenient. Andrew offers a refreshingly non-judgmental approach: "Whatever you can do is fine." The simple reduce, reuse, recycle framework gives everyone an accessible pathway to better choices, without overwhelming guilt. Ready to join Scotland's waste-free future? Listen for practical tips and ways to protect our wild places and wildlife, while creating a healthier world for everyone. Information: Zero Waste Scotland Plastic Free July

Fifty years since their reintroduction, Scotland now hosts around 200 breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles (also known as sea eagles), representing both a remarkable conservation success and a challenge for some farmers and crofters. This podcast explores the relationship between these magnificent birds and farming communities through conversations with NatureScot's Andrew Kent and Appin-based sheep farmer David Colthart. We hear how eagle predation impacts sheep flocks and how the recently expanded Sea Eagle Management Scheme supports farmers with deterrence and adaptation strategies. The discussion reveals emerging collaborative approaches, including enhanced shepherding and research to track predation patterns. From extinction to reintroduction, conservation success to agricultural concerns - this episode examines the multifaceted story of Scotland's sea eagles and the ongoing efforts to balance wildlife conservation with the needs of rural livelihoods.

Green Health Week spotlights NHS Ayrshire and Arran's pioneering approach to transforming hospital grounds into therapeutic spaces for patients, staff, and the wider community. Public Health Programme Lead Elaine Caldow shares the journey from a small demonstration project to a comprehensive approach that treats nature as medicine. Assistant Director of Estates and Support Services Helen Gemmell reveals how initial management concerns about risk have evolved into widespread staff enthusiasm for these restorative environments. We visit the Kyle Chemotherapy Unit with Deputy Charge Nurse Wendy Ruiz de Pascal to see how the garden spaces are supporting patients during treatment, and discover The Conservation Volunteers' innovative 'green gyms', Acorn Garden, and guided nature walks with Lindsay Twilley. This episode showcases Scotland's pioneering integration of nature into healthcare settings—creating spaces for calm, hope and healing while simultaneously advancing sustainability goals and demonstrating that when hospitals make space for nature, remarkable healing happens.

Join us as we travel to the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway to meet staff from NatureScot's wildlife management team - Jenny Park, Rae McKenzie and Alastair MacGugan. The team talk us through their vital research into the highly pathogenic avian influenza – or avian flu as it's more commonly known – and the impact it's having on the thousands of barnacle geese that migrate to the Solway Firth each winter from their Arctic breeding grounds. In this episode, you'll learn about the collaborative research efforts underway and how cutting-edge science is helping us better understand bird responses to avian flu. You'll also discover the importance of this work for wildlife conservation and how it contributes to our wider understanding of disease management in wild bird populations. More Information: Scottish Government avian influenza updates NatureScot avian influenza (bird flu) guidance  Bird flu (avian influenza): how to spot and report it in poultry or other captive birds