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Wanlockhead is the highest village in Scotland at an elevation of around 1,350 feet (410 m). The village is in the part of the Lowther Hills that lies in Dumfries and Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) in the southwest of Scotland. Now residents of the Scottish village have voted in favour of plans for a community buyout. The ballot could see them take ownership of nearly 4,000 acres of land which is currently owned by the Buccleuch group.

News from the Celtic League:

Peebles (Scottish Gaelic: Na Pùballan) is a lovely town nestled into the west corner of the Scottish Borders. It lies at the confluence of the River Tweed (Scottish Gaelic: Abhainn Thuaidh) and Eddleston Water. It was in a field close to Peebles, in June 2020, that a Bronze Age hoard was found. It was discovered by a 44-year-old hobby metal detectorist, Mariusz Stepien, who is a resident of Edinburgh. The find was announced on 10 August 2020. Mariusz was detecting with friends when he found the first item. It was 24 inches (60 centimetres) below ground level.

Isle of Man Post Office (Manx: Oik Postagh Ellan Vannin), in collaboration with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (Manx: Sheshaght Phaggad Bree Ellan Vannin) and Biosphere IOM, have issued a twelve stamp issue. The stamps celebrate the Manx National Anthem ‘O Land of Our Birth’. The images on the stamps are taken from twelve winning photographs selected from a recent competition titled ‘O Land of Our Birth’. The final choice of images reference the words of the national anthem.

This image is shared courtesy of The Irish Wildlife Trust Facebook page - "Wildlife Sanctuary! No Shooting!". They state that: "The Irish Wildlife Trust ( IWT ) aims to conserve wildlife and the habitats they depend on throughout Ireland while encouraging a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the need to protect it.  The Irish Wildlife Trust was founded in 1979 as a non-governmental organisation and charity (Charity no: CHY 6264).

A recent article by the Mannin Branch of the Celtic League draws attention to a shocking proposal by the Manx Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot to import Grey Partridge to the Isle of Man. The purpose being so that hunters can shoot them! This revolting proposal stands in stark contrast to those that truly support nature conservation. Not least the great work of pioneering Welsh naturalist and ornithologist Peter Hope Jones recently reported on by Transceltic.

Peter Hope Jones ( 1935 - 13 July 2020 ) was a Welsh naturalist and influential figure in Welsh ornithology and he sadly passed away in July 2020.  Llên Natur, the excellent Welsh nature publication, has just produced an item on his life and times in Llên Natur Bwletin 150. As they rightly say "We lost a giant among naturalists this month. Peter Hope Jones inspired a generation of Welsh naturalists with his exceptional expertise and gentle manner."  

A petition has been lodged with the Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba) demanding ministers take action to give full legal protection to Scotland's ancient woodlands before Glasgow hosts the COP26 climate conference in November next year. The petition was created by Rhu (Scottish Gaelic: An Rubha) residents Audrey Baird and Fiona Baker, on behalf of the Help Trees Help Us campaign group.

The Peatlands Partnership has had approval to prepare a bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site status for an area of peatbog, lochs and bog pools called the Flow Country. The area stretches across Caithness and Sutherland in Scotland. The bid, if successful, would result in the special designation being in place in three years' time.

On this day 27th July, 1593,  Welsh Roman Catholic priest William Davies was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey (Welsh: Castell Biwmares, Ynys Môn). He was born in Croes yn Eirias, Denbighshire, (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych) and although his date of birth is not known for certain one source gives it as 1555. After being ordained as a priest in April 1585, he worked as a missionary in Wales.