Ulva, Invertebrates and Gravestones
Mark revisits the island of Ulva which was transferred into community ownership while Euan goes on an insect hunt.
In the first half hour of Out of Doors Mark revisits the island of Ulva. When the island was put up for sale by the landowner in 2017 the North West Mull Community Woodland Company applied for a community right to buy of the estate under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. In June last year the island was transferred into community ownership. At the moment it鈥檚 home to just five residents but as Mark hears there are plans to increase the population and rejuvenate the island community. He hears how things have progressed in the year since the island came under community ownership from residents Rebecca and Rhuri Munro as well as members of the North West Mull Community Woodland Company.
At the start of Community Land Scotland week Mark visits another recent community purchase, the Douglas Support Estate. He hears about the work of the Viewpark Conservation Group to save the estate for locals to use.
Euan meets Gabrielle Flinn, officer with the Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms project and goes on an insect hunt.
Below the Blanket is an outdoor evening event being held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh throughout the summer featuring installations inspired by the blanket bog of the Flow Country. Mark goes along to experience the immersive installations for himself.
Tulliallan Kirkyard is home to some of the best preserved gravestones in Scotland dating from the late 1600s to the early 1800s. Willie Anderson was instrumental in restoring them in the 1990s and he shows Mark around and tells him some of the great stories that accompany the stones.
Euan meets a lady who has discovered she has a very interesting family history involving caves.