Douglas MacQueen's blog

If you want a tip on how to effectively socially isolate during this Covid-19 pandemic follow the example of the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie). She has been doing it for centuries. Even though there are plenty of people who would like to meet her, she keeps her distance. A new survey by a holiday website has revealed that Loch Ness is one of the top ten small wedding destinations in Scotland.

NatureScot (Scottish Gaelic: Buidheann Nàdair na h-Alba), formerly known as Scottish Natural Heritage, is the public body responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. They have now issued a warning that Scotland's wildlife is increasingly at risk from non-native species. NatureScot says there are more than 180 species, including 122 plants and about 60 animals, which pose threats such as killing wildlife or damaging habitats.

At a time when most other indoor and outdoor gatherings have been limited to six people, the decision to allow  an exemption for grouse shoots from Covid restrictions has come in for criticism. In Scotland, shoots are permitted provided guidance and laws to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are followed. Animal welfare campaigners including the Scottish charity OneKind said wildlife had "thrived" during the lockdown, but was now being "shot for fun".

A Munro is defined as such when it is on the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) official list of Munros and designated as a mountain in Scotland with a height over 3,000 feet (914.4 m). There are 282 Munros in Scotland and probably the best known Munro is Ben Nevis (Scottish Gaelic; Beinn Nibheis), the highest Scottish mountain at 4,411 feet (1,345 metres). Munros are named after Scottish mountaineer Hugh Munro, (1856–1919), who produced the first list of such hills.

The Largs Viking Festival has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic this year. The event was due to run from 29th Aug 2020 – 6th Sep 2020 and would have been the 40th Anniversary of the festival. Nevertheless organisers are already making plans to "direct its efforts to planning and delivering the best possible Largs Viking Festival in 2021". This is scheduled for 28th August to 5th September 2021, with the spectacular Viking Festival of Fire taking place on Saturday 4th September 2021.

The Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach), is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan a-staigh) of Scotland. Now the Island has its own flag. It was designed by a nine-year-old boy, Calum Alasdair Munro and was chosen by a public vote organised by the West Highland Free Press newspaper. Calum's winning design has now been formally approved by Scotland's heraldic authority, the Court of the Lord Lyon.

Calum told the West Highland Free Press:

Voting is now open to name Scotland's Tree Of The Year and also Wales' Tree Of The Year 2020. A shortlist has been drawn up by a panel of judges and the vote is open to the public via the Woodland Trust website who organise the competition.

At last the end is in sight for the three-century-old Scottish union with England, a union that has resulted in the domination of Scotland by its larger neighbour. A series of opinion polls, conducted months apart, have shown a consistent rise in support for Scottish independence. At the same time the Scottish National Party (SNP) remains well ahead of the Scottish pro-union political parties. Suggesting an outright majority for the SNP in next year's elections to the Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba), with a predicted 57 per cent share of constituency voting.

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.

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.