Thrill Of The Hill

THRILL OF THE HILL | An iconic Scottish species and of high conservation interest, the mountain hare has a lot going for it. Years of hard work to create the managed uplands we know have also contributed to the betterment of the species and a combination of predator control and careful heather management means that it has found a home in our hill expanses. In this episode of the podcast we are joined by Robert Raynor from NatureScot and Scott Newey from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust for a discussion on the species, its place in the uplands, conservation initiatives and the outlook for the uplands in general.Related ResourcesProtected species: hares | NatureScotMountain hares - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (gwct.org.uk)

THRILL OF THE HILL | Fire can be an effective management tool in the Scottish uplands, and if controlled and utilised responsibly, can be helpful in rejuvenating our upland heaths. However, fire can also be devastating for many rural businesses and with a number of factors at play, including, climate change, water scarcity, public access and total accidents, wildfires can and do happen, with ever greater intensity. In this episode of the podcast we are joined by Bruce Farquharson from Scottish Fire and Rescue and discuss prevention of wildfires, the role of muirburning and the benefits of having a fire action plan should the worst happen!Related FAS MaterialsPreventing Wildfires on Agricultural Land | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

THRILL OF THE HILL | In a year two weather extremes the water environment has shot up the agenda for many, drought conditions put a lot of pressure on farmers and nature in the summer and heavy rains push many farmers and riverbanks to breaking point this autumn. While Scotland's rivers generally end up at the sea, they start in the uplands and catchment management with appropriate sensitivity to watercourses and riparian habitats can have huge impacts downstream and across the landscape. With recent developments, it makes sense to bring back some former contributors for a broad discussion on the challenging circumstances some species find themselves and reasons to be optimistic.In this episode we welcome back Struan Candlish, two years since the Ayrshire Rivers Trust were on the podcast. We discuss the plight of species like Atlantic salmon, get an update on the Wellwood Project and other nature restoration work in Ayrshire.Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcom MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related FAS ResourcesThrill of The Hill - Spawning Success | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Protecting Atlantic Salmon | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Water Margins | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Other ResourcesAyrshire Rivers Trust | working to improve and preserve our rivers

THRILL OF THE HILL | Carbon and benchmarking carbon are here to stay, firmly embedded in the best practice for the farming community. With COP28 happening now, the need to decarbonise farming has never been clearer but how to do that in a sustainable manner remains a big question for many. Carbon calculators are designed to identify carbon emissions in a business, where they are happening, to provide insights for positive actions. Agrecalc has been one of Scotland's leading calculators and has seen widescale uptake since the days of the Beef Efficiency Scheme, but as the carbon story becomes more important, the ability to get reliable, detailed information on a farm's carbon footprint has never been more important and crucially, having confidence in the data to take steps to improve is hugely important. So regardless of which carbon calculator you are using, the time to count carbon is now.In this episode, Scott Davies, CEO of Agrecalc discusses the uptake of carbon auditing, the need for a scientific consensus of emissions and how they are calculated, the move to the cloud and the increased functionality that will allow, better, more accurate interpretation of farm results and a clearer pathway forward. Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcolm MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related FAS Resourceshttps://www.fas.scot/publication/thrill-of-the-hill-9-digging-deep-on-soil-carbon/https://www.fas.scot/article/fundamentals-of-soil-carbon/https://www.fas.scot/carbon-audits/

THRILL OF THE HILL | For years now Scotland has sought to address climate change and habitat fragmentation with increased rates of tree planting, but often the end product, timber, is overlooked. Woodlands cover almost 19% of the landscape in Scotland and while not all of them are part of a productive timber rotation a significant chunk is. Timber production enriches our economy from the local to the national level, promotes employment and produces a sustainable, renewable end product. But timber processing can be detached for farming and a broader understanding of what goes on, when it does and how farmers can engage with the process can present opportunities for benefits on all sides. Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcom MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related ResourcesTechnical Note (TN695): Pruning to Improve Timber QualityThrill of the Hill - Talking Timber | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

THRILL OF THE HILL | Farmland covers the Scottish landscape, between 70% and 80% of it, but farmers are not the only stakeholders in the countryside. Increasingly, the general public is interacting with farming and land management, encouraged by the prospects of adventure, points of interest, leisure, health, and well-being. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) makes provisions for responsible access to land and by and large that is achieved. In this episode, Bridget Jones, NatureScot, joins the podcast to discuss promoting sustainable, responsible access to the countryside, we discuss hidden gems, where people go and what they do when they get there, and mediating conflicts where they arise.    Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcolm MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related FAS Materialshttps://www.fas.scot/publication/stock-talk-livestock-worrying-keeping-yourself-right-with-the-sheep-game/

THRILL OF THE HILL | When people think of Scotland, at some point visions of a red deer ranging across an open hill must enter the mind. Deer have become synonymous with the farmed upland environment in Scotland, bringing huge interest and benefits, but these are not without their challenges. In Scotland's pursuit of a green, low carbon, high nature value future, deer have proven themselves obstacles to be overcome and without active management, the uplands cannot flourish. In this episode, Michael Skelly, Highland Habitats takes us through the considerations when determining if you have a deer problem and the appropriate actions required to promote a sustainable upland environment.Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcom MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Linked FAS ResourcesAlternative Livestock FactsheetStock Talk: Deer Farming – what you need to know | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Podcast: The Thrill of The Hill - Deer Farming & Management | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Linked Other ResourcesPractical land management for the future - Highland HabitatsHighland Habitats | Practical land management for the futureScotland’s wild venison sector launches ‘statement of intent’ on greenhouse gas emissions in response to climate emergency | Scottish Venison (scottish-venison.info)scottish-biodiversity-strategy-2045-tackling-nature-emergency-scotland.pdf (www.gov.scot)

THRILL OF THE HILL | Agroforestry is an increasingly popular prospect for many in Scotland and across the UK, allowing farmers and crofters the opportunity to increase carbon sequestration, nature value and allowing for the continuation and enhancement of productive activity. In this episode, Ben Raskin, Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry for the @Soil Association joins us for a broad discussion on the benefits of agroforestry, insights from their own trial farm and to promote the upcoming Agroforestry Show, the UK's first agroforestry show taking place this upcoming September. Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Cameron Waugh, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related FAS Materialshttps://www.fas.scot/downloads/soil-association-scotlands-agroforestry-in-action-knowledge-transfer-programme/https://www.fas.scot/publication/agroforestry-in-scotland/https://www.fas.scot/article/agroforestry-farming-with-trees/Related External MaterialsHome | Agroforestry showAgroforestry On Your Farm (soilassociation.org)

THRILL OF THE HILL | An invasive species and a cause for concern among farmers and policymakers, bracken is a hot topic in the farmed upland environment. While the species has some habitat value and its presence can be indicative of land suitable for woodland regeneration, the plant can quickly spread, taking over areas of upland grass pasture and heather, cutting the area of land that can be utilised for farming. In this episode, Simon Thorp, coordinator for the Bracken Control Group shares his opinion on Scottish Government's recent decision on the use of Asulam, as well as discussing what he thinks the impact of a total ban will be and the alternatives to chemical control of bracken.  The Scottish Government notes that the Health and Safety Executive advice to all four nations of the UK was not to authorise the emergency use of Asulox because of the risk it poses human, animal and environmental health. Independent advice from the SG Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment and Rural Affairs, and the Expert Committee on Pesticides supported this conclusion, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland consented to the HSE recommendation. The Scottish Government is committed to science based decision making, and have followed the same, well established and evidence based process we always follow for the authorisation of pesticides. The following link contains the Scottish Government Press Release on the decision, a Q&A document, an evidence review of the implications of not controlling bracken with asulam in Scotland commissioned by the SG, the advice from the SG CSA ENRA and from the ECP, and the HSE letter sent to the applicant outlining the reasons for refusal of the application. Use of Asulox for bracken control in Scotland in 2023 | SASA (Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture)Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcolm MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related Materialshttps://www.brackencontrol.co.uk/Use of Asulox for bracken control in Scotland in 2023 | SASA (Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture)For more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: advice@fas.scot

THRILL OF THE HILL | Sheep are synonymous with the farmed upland environment in Scotland but in times of change and with external and policy pressures now on it, the sector cannot sit idle. Last season we discussed what the cow of the future looks like and now sheep get their time in the spotlight as we try and unpick some of the complexities in improving flock performance with help from returning guest speaker and SAC Consulting sheep specialist Kirsten Williams as we talk maximising productivity, cutting waste, a place for wool and advocate for grazing livestock in Scotland's changing landscape.   Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcom MacDonald, Produced by Beth Errington, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related FAS LinksPodcast: Thrill of The Hill - Flock Resilience | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

THRILL OF THE HILL | With a lack of apex predators in Scotland, human intervention is often required to maintain a balance of nature, whether that is at the species, habitat or landscape scale. Predator control is an often unpleasant and more so important aspect of maintain equilibrium across different interests and in this episode, Paul Chapman, SAC Consulting sets out what the different options are for predator control, what species can be targeted, what protections exist and for what species and the non-lethal options available to protect vulnerable national priority species, as well as much more.Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcom MacDonald, Produced by Alistair Trail, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related FAS ResourcesTechnical Note (TN742): Predator Control for Conservation | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Predator Control For the Conservation of Ground-Nesting Birds | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Other Related ResourcesCodes of Practice - BASCPredation control and conservation - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (gwct.org.uk)

Farmers are custodians of the landscape in Scotland, and the farmed environment accounts for roughly 75% of all land in the country, but farmers need not take all that responsibility themselves. Agriculture adjacent, the game bird sector has a huge role to play in supporting the farmed upland environment and in this episode, Ross Macleod, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust lays that all out, discussing the interplay between farming and the upland sectors, how we can work collaboratively, the role of gamekeeping, predator control and Muirburn, and crucially, the need for data driven decision making to deal effectively with biodiversity decline and climate change.Hosted by Alexander Pirie, Edited by Malcolm MacDonald, Produced by Kerry Hammond, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, in association with The Scottish Government.Related Materialshttps://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/habitat-impact-assesment-best-practice-guidance-on-the-management-of-wild-deer-in-scotland/https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/how-to-provide-for-wading-birds/surveying-farmland-wading-birds/https://www.fas.scot/environment/biodiversity/muirburn-code/https://www.gwct.org.uk/https://www.bfbc.org.uk/For more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: advice@fas.scot

Thrill of the Hill is back! Episode #27 – Renewed Interest. In this episode we hear from Senior Renewables Consultant John Farquhar about the impacts of the Ukrainian conflict, how that is changing mindsets around energy security here in Scotland, including a discussion on the most popular renewable options for the uplands, costs around construction and some of the pitfalls to watch out for! Catch up on our previous renewables episode with Senior Consultant Iain Boyd here https://www.fas.scot/publication/podcast-the-thrill-of-the-hill-renewables/ and for more information on farm scale renewable options, check out Farming for a Better Climate here https://www.farmingforabetterclimate.org/improving-farm-profitability/developing-renewable-energy/. 

Thrill of the Hill is back! Season 3 #2 – Spawning Success. In this episode we hear from Ayrshire River Trust’s Stuart Brabbs and Struan Candlish about the quality of Scotland’s water environment, factors impacting this quality, the successes of the Nature Restoration Fund and the need for a holistic approach to managing riparian habitats. Farming & Water Scotland is a joint initiative between SAC Consulting and SEPA, focusing on the provision of practical advice around the protection of the water environment that can be implemented at farm level. Resources vary from advice and information on how to manage water around the steading to field drainage, natural flood management and improving your farm for biodiversity. In this episode, Stuart references improvements in slurry storage and application and its impact on the farmed water environment, for more information on this, check out the Managing Slurry for Folks in a Hurry series here https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/livestock-arable/livestock-slurry-based-systems/managing-slurry-for-folks-in-a-hurry-webinar-series/ and for a summary of the most recent changes to regulations on slurry storage and handling here https://www.farmingandwaterscotland.org/know-the-rules/. Water margins play a hugely important role in the farmed environment, a blue string tying together different farmland habitats and is massively important in terms of natural capital – think flood management, biodiversity value and even capacity for renewable energy production. In our autumn 2020 series, Water Margin Management in a Changing Climate, FAS explored water margins management for ecological and conservation benefit as well as provided practical advice of ditching and draining, all of which can be found here https://www.fas.scot/environment/water-management/water-margins-2/.

Consider sooner rather than later where integrated farm forestry could benefit your agricultural business, and seek professional, impartial advice at the earliest opportunity- it takes time to develop a new woodland creation, and with high demand/limited resources in market at present, it’s worth starting this process as early as possible. Farm forestry doesn’t have to be about planting whole farms in trees, and it isn’t a bad thing- integrated farm forestry can improve the productivity of your land, improve resilience, offer new income opportunities, and protect your holding from a changing climate. Even if you are considering growing trees to offset your own emissions, absolutely consider registering your project with the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) before planting starts. If you later have carbon units surplus to your needs, these can’t be sold via the WCC if the project has not been registered prior to planting. It doesn’t cost a lot to register/validate, but could cost you a fortune in lost opportunities if you miss the deadline to register before planting starts 

2017 saw the start of Scotland’s Pollinator Strategy, now in 2022 and half way through a ten-year plan, the role and importance of pollinators has only become more significant. Pollinators play an important role in the provision of ecosystem services across the country, impacting on biodiversity and productive farming in equal measure. We talk to The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s Katy Malone about conservation efforts around the national priority species, great yellow bumblebee. We discuss the historic decline of the species, the current status of the species and the actions farmers can take to enhance their farms for biodiversity. Also up for discussion is the return of the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) and use of insecticides.

A national priority species and apex predator, the hen harrier is a unique and important bird within the farmed upland environment. Despite this, historic bad practices, burning and lack of predator control have placed increased pressure on a vulnerable population.We talk to RSPB officer Daniel Brown about the importance of hen harrier, their function within the uplands and the beneficial management practices farmers and landowners can take to improve and enhance habitat for them.Also up for discussion is the role of livestock grazing and predator control in the uplands.

For many farmers, crofters and landowners in Scotland rewilding is a new and intimidating frontier, the prospect of rewilding and reintroduction of species previously native to Scotland presents challenges, concerns and opportunities. We talk to rewilding advocate and Executive Director for Scotland: The Big Picture, Peter Cairns about how rewilding and reintroductions can be part of the answer to Scotland’s biodiversity crisis. We talk defining rewilding, success stories, managing conflicts.Also up for discussion is the idea of rewilding people and the need for mindset change within the general public.

Changes brought on by climate change will set new challenges for farmers and landowners, with periods of intense heat and dry conditions being followed by milder and wetter winters. At the same time, Scotland is renowned for its lochs and catchments, that contribute to Scotland’s natural capital. We talk to Nature Scot advisor, Ian Cornforth about the state of Scotland’s water environment, the need for water retention, green engineering and nature-based solutions to aid good management of our watercourses. Also up for discussion is the introduction of beavers and managing their impacts on the farmed water environment.Find out more: visit https://fas.scot and www.farmingandwaterscotland.org

Managing Scotland’s landscapes sustainably is what all farmers, crofters and landowners seek to achieve. For years now there has been a steady increase in the number of land managers turning to organics, and regenerative practices are gathering momentum; at the same time the idea of farming holistically is also on the rise. we talk to beef and business consultant, Robert Ramsay and head of the Farm Business Survey, Sascha Grierson about farming organically, using regenerative practices and taking a holistic view of your business. Also up for discussion is the role of ruminant livestock and their importance as conservation grazers.