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More snow

I've just been out to feed the birds - they are desperate - and have measured about a foot of snow in the garden. Looks like 2010 is (almost) going out like it came in. Another 10" to fall today apparently.

Waiting for breakfast



Martin Banfield is stuck (or has been) at Morrisons car park in Perth but I can't even think about popping up to see him. Pity really. Hope you make it home today Martin.



Lammermuir Hills and Highland Perthshire wind turbines

Yesterday I posted good news about sea eagles. Today it's bad news, at least from my perspective. The Duke of Roxburghe has won a seven year battle to establish 48 wind trubines at Fallago Rig in the Lammermuir Hills, south of Edinburgh. He stands to earn £2.5m a year from the project.

There has been fierce local opposition (supported by David Bellamy) to the turbines, but the Scottish Government continues its obsession with on-shore wind farms. I believe the local community are determined to continue the fight against this decision.

In Highland Perthshire 27 wind turbines south of Aberfeldy were recently approved by the Scottish Government, again against local opposition. To add insult to injury, Perth and Kinross Council, who opposed the development, have been handed the bill for the developer's legal costs.

I suspect the people of East Lothian and Highland Perthshire will not forget all this when the Scottish Election takes place next May.

Edit: Don't buy a house in upland Scotland. You won't like what will, in time, arrive on your doorstep.

Sea eagles

It has been reported that 46 young sea eagles fledged this year in Scotland - 10 more than last year- and that there are now 52 adult pairs, up 6 on 2009. Last year one was spotted over Cumbria and Dumfries having flown from Fife. Excellent news. (see also post of 21 August 2010)

However, the planned introduction of this beautiful bird in southern England has been cancelled because of budget cuts.

Snow

It's not the first snow to fall on the hills as we approach winter, but the cover on the Ben Lawers range looked pretty enticing today. The photograph is taken using a compact digital on full zoom so quality is compromised somewhat.

October sunshine

We've just had a lovely week based in Glen Coe. I'll post more later but, for now, here are a few photos from the trip.



Sea eagles

I've just heard that 19 Norwegian sea eagles have been released into the wild from a secret location in Fife. This is wonderful news and I wish them well in Scotland. This is the third phase of the reintroduction of these birds by East Scotland Sea Eagles, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage. The programme commenced in 1975 on Rum.

Gold Mine at Cononish

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority have, thankfully, refused an application by Scotgold Resources to redevelop a gold mine at Cononish, near Tyndrum.

Nevis Partnership

Anyone wishing to find out about the work of the above can visit their site at http://www.nevispartnership.co.uk/

£1.00 to climb Ben Nevis

The Nevis Partnertship is calling for every person who climbs Ben Nevis to contribute £1.00 to the cost of maintaining the access track. Approximately 160,000 people climb the Ben every year.

Any views on this?