Scotland Outdoors
A topical guide to life in the Scottish outdoors, covering activities, nature, and culture across Scotland.
Episodes
The Hidden Powers of Leaves
Mark Stephen meets Professor Jonathan Silvertown whose book Nature Magicians is all about leaves and why they matter
Edinburgh's Surf Resort, Wallace, Glasgow's Fire Dog and the Wild Plants of Deeside
Funding is being made available to improve core paths in Aberdeen over the next few years and Rachel joined Chris York from environmental consultancy Walking the Talk to find out what a core path actually isMark visits a surf resort and he’s not had to go that far! He’s at Lost Shore in Newbridge just outside Edinburgh to find out what’s available at the inland resort which boast Europe’s largest
The Cities of the Future with an Eye to the Past
Helen Needham meets up with writer Gabriella Bennett to discuss her book 'How to Build a City'. They meet in Glenrothes in Fife where Gabriella spent part of her childhood.
Wasps, Coos and Doos
Up until now, access from the top station of the Cairngorm funicular railway onto the mountain was not allowed outside the winter snowsports season, unless visitors were accompanied by a guide. However, as Mark went to find out, a trial is underway to allow visitors carrying GPS handsets to explore an "approved zone" in the mountain's ski area. Mark hears how the system works.Rachel is on the Newh
The History of Portsoy Marble
Rachel Stewart finds out about a major heritage project linked to the distinctive stone.
Sounds of the Canal, Rosie the Cow and a Garden on a Carpark
The Denburn car park in Aberdeen city centre is well known by locals, but not many people might be as familiar with what sits on top of it. Around the derelict health centre, a community group, Upper Denburn Gardens, is working to improve the site and use it to hold events. Laura Guthrie catches up with one of the volunteers, Joe, and hears about their plans.In this week’s Scotland Outdoors podcas
The Healing Power of Horses with Jock Hutchison
Horseback UK is a charity run by Jock Hutchison and his wife Emma bringing together horses and humans to overcome some of the stresses of everyday life
Scottish Rain, Productive Worms and an Archive of Soil
Mark visits the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen where researchers are carrying out a project to restore, preserve and digitise irreplaceable soil and peat maps, aerial imagery, field notebooks and survey records collected since 1947. Mark hears why Hutton Unearthed: A New National Soils and Peat Map Archive is so important for the future of soil health.Stirling is busy this weekend as Radio 2 i
Capturing the Wild with Photographer Karen Miller
Mark Stephen talks to former colleague Karen Miller about swapping her desk for wildlife.
Little Egrets, Popular Peacocks and The Book of Birds
Mark visits NatureScot’s Forvie National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire where little egrets have bred in north-east Scotland for the first time. They are a welcome addition to the reserve although as manager Catriona Reid tells him, climate change is thought to be the reason that these once Mediterranean birds have travelled further north.Rachel meets the fourth finalist in the environmental cate
The Book of Birds with Jackie Morris
Helen Needham discusses The Book of Birds with illustrator and artist Jackie Morris
Surfing Quines, Sunflowers and Sea Eagles
Mark catches up with another of the finalists in BBC Scotland’s Make a Difference Award environmental category. Midlothian Wildflowers started as a small group of people from the Bonnyrigg and Rosewell community carrying out some guerilla gardening. Julia Pennycuik from the group tells Mark how it grew from there and why it’s been nominated for the award.This weekend Grantown on Spey in the Cairng
60 Years of the Tay Road Bridge
Mark Stephen climbs inside the Tay Road Bridge to mark its 60th Birthday
Nature Journaling, Ferries on the River Tay and The Art of Crookmaking
Mark visits Greenhead Moss Community Nature Park in Wishaw. The 100-hectare site contains many different habitats including ponds, wildflower meadows and woodlands. He takes a tour with countryside ranger Derek. Deveron Wildland is a newly established rewilding estate in Aberdeenshire. Rachel went for a visit to hear about what the plans are for the site as well as to try her hand at nature jou
A 1960's Archive Special featuring Snowy Owls on Fetlar, Thatching in Aberdeenshire and a Tree Loving Tramp in the Highlands
Helen Needham digs into the BBC Archive to share some audio gems from the past
Inside The Scott Monument, Midnight Swimming and Nordic Walking
Mark visits Glasgow’s Queen’s Park Glasshouse which was threatened with closure earlier this summer. He speaks to some of those involved in the campaign to secure its future which seems to have been successful.Rachel tries her hand at Nordic Walking which may look gentle but actually involves a full body workout! She went along to a group in Blair Atholl run by Eilidh Paterson who explained what’s
In The Company of Sheep
Mark Stephen meets naturalist and author Polly Pullar in the sheep shed of her farm in Perthshire. Polly's latest book In The Company of Sheep describes her fascination with them
Living Our Best Iron Age Life on the Banks of Loch Tay
Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with a special programme from the Scottish Crannog Centre
Rowing to Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve with the Catterline Coastal Rowing Club
Helen Needham visits the spectacular seabird colony on a skiff
Island Life, Fringe by the Sea and the Strichen Staggers
A few weeks ago, Mark went along to a conference at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen. Under the banner of Living Labs, the institute brought together folk living in rural or island communities, and Mark chatted to Phyl Meyer from Tiree and Euan Maclachlan from Assynt to find out what sort of challenges they face in everyday life.The island of Fetlar is known as The Garden of Shetland due it
Exploring the history and wildlife of the Island of Lismore
Mark Stephen takes a Land Rover tour of the Inner Hebridean island of Lismore to explore its history, wildlife and nature
A Lavender Farm in Fife, Cairngorm Wildfires and a Sealife Safari
In this week’s Scotland Outdoors podcast Mark meets author Cal Flyn, whose latest book is called The Savage Landscape – How we Made the Wilderness. We hear an excerpt of Cal explaining where her interest in exploring the meaning of wilderness came from.Rachel is on the North East coast on a seabird spotting safari run by the Aberdeen Countryside Ranger Service. The trips have become popular with v
Cal Flyn - The Savage Landscape
Mark Stephen meets Cal Flyn, author of The Savage Landscape - How We Made The Wilderness in which she explores the meaning of wilderness in a journey into the forests, deserts and ocean floor
Callendar Park, Maud Railway Museum and Ardersier Common
Mark is in Forres to meet up with naturalist and educator Dan Puplett. Dan’s been running bird language courses, helping people understand what birds are really saying and how to interpret their different calls.Ardersier Common has officially become the Highlands' newest Local Nature Reserve after more than two decades of conservation work. Home to the rare small blue butterfly and one of the UK's
Ardersier Local Nature Reserve
Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone join High Life Highland countryside ranger John Orr at Ardersier Local Nature Reserve in search of one of the UK's rarest orchids.
Rowing, Sailing, Beavers and a Hot Toddy
Next week, communities in Lochaber will be asked to share their views on beavers being reintroduced to the area. Kirsten Brewster from rewilding charity Scotland: The Big Picture tells Mark about the consultation process and why Lochaber might be a good area for beavers.Rachel meets an Aberdeen lecturer who has won an award from the Mammal Society for his innovative camera trap box designed specif
Helen Denerley - Life as a Scottish Sculptor
Rachel Stewart meets Helen in her workshop as she unveils her latest sculpture.
Edinburgh's Floral Clock, A Moray Firth Sea Adventure and Sonic Postcards
Mark hears about the preparation involved in setting up the Fettercairn Show which this weekend celebrates its 190th show, and the 200th anniversary of the Fettercairn Farmers Club which runs it. The committee tell him what sets it apart from other shows.Rachel is on the Solway coast exploring the RSPB Mersehead Nature Reserve. Mersehead is home to one of the rarest amphibians in the UK and has a
Saving the Rare Twinflower of the Caledonian Pine Forest with Sam Jones of Plantlife
Mark Stephen hears about attempts to save the twinflower in Abernethy Forest
In Search of Moss, Rackwick's Bothy and Unusual Wildlife Encounters
Mark is in Fettercairn in Aberdeenshire where a garden designed for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show has made its way to the local distillery. He finds out about the inspiration behind the Angel’s Share Garden which won a silver gilt medal at the show.Earlier this week a major world conference in agritourism was held in Aberdeen. The inaugural Global Agritourism Conference brought hundreds of deleg
Breaking Down Barriers with the Adaptive Riders Collective
Rachel Stewart visits the charity which aims to make off-road cycling open to all.
Glasgow Tandem Club, Boston Nature Centre and Surf Therapy
Ahead of next week’s Royal Highland Show being held at Ingliston just outside Edinburgh, Rachel catches up with farmer Anna Mitchell, who is one of this year’s vice presidents. This year’s presidential team are representing Aberdeenshire and Anna tells Rachel what visitors can expect from the show.Mark is in Newport-on-Tay with author Dr Erin Farley whose most recent book, Lighthouse Lives, tells
A Place to Be at the Taliesin Community Woods
Mark Stephen visits the Taliesin Community Woodland in Dumfries and Galloway
Hugh MacDiarmid, KuneKune Pigs and The Sound of the Year
Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors.
Exploring the rocks of Fife with the Scottish Geologist
Rachel Stewart meets Luisa Hendry, better known as the Scottish Geologist on social media
Geology, PS Waverley and Parakeets
Right in the heart of London is one of the city’s most popular attractions, The Natural History Museum. Last week, Rachel met up with John Tweedie, head of the Centre for UK Nature and UK Nature Recovery, who explained why the museum’s ponds have become a hotspot for all kinds of insects, including the striking willow emerald damselfly.To celebrate the tercentenary of James Hutton's birth, a new D
A Trip Doon the Watter on the Waverley
Mark Stephen climbs aboard the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, The Waverley
Mudlarking, Parakeets, Narrowboats and a City Farm all from London
Mark and Rachel explore the flora and fauna of the capital and are joined by live guests as they broadcast from the balcony of Broadcasting House in London.Mark visits Mudchute Farm, one of the largest city farms in Europe. It comprises 32 acres of countryside, located a stone's throw away from the hustle and bustle of Canary Wharf. He hears about how the site was developed from derelict land in t
Climbing the Winter Munros with Mountaineer Anna Wells
Helen Needham speaks with Anna Wells, the first woman to complete the munros in a winter
Kites, Rivers and Maps
Mark visits the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s visitor centre, the Fair Maid’s House in Perth. The society has recently received hundreds of photographic slides from nature photographer Lorne Gill which are on display in the centre.In this week’s Scotland Outdoors podcast, Rachel has been out foraging in the company of expert Janice Clyne. Janice strongly believes that foraging and fermenti
Foraging and Fermenting with Janice Clyne
Rachel Stewart talks to Janice about foraging plants widely regarded as garden weeds.
Cranes, Mast Climbing and Skunk Cabbage
Mark heads to the New Pitsligo area of Aberdeenshire with Hywel Maggs from RSPB Scotland, on the trail of cranes. For a bird that can reach over a metre tall and with a wingspan of double that, they can be rather tricky to spot.The ranger service in Aberdeen is busy tackling an invasive plant which seems to be a growing problem. Rachel heads to Walker Dam in the city with countryside officer Simon
From Nethybridge to Nepal with Marian Burrows-Smith
Marian discusses her toilet project for girls with Helen Needham
The Highland Folk Museum, Get On A Bike in Elgin and Fern Restoration in the Highlands
Stephen Rutt is a writer and naturalist based in Dumfries and Galloway and his latest book, The Waterlands, follows a raindrop as it falls to the ground in the Lowther Hills and travels through the landscape to the Firth of Clyde. Mark met him on a suitably wet day at Threave to record a Scotland Outdoors podcast and we hear an excerpt of their chat.Rachel visits a charity in Moray that offers gui
From Raindrop to Sea with Stephen Rutt
Mark Stephen chats to writer Stephen Rutt about his new book 'The Waterlands'
Spring Birds, Granny Pines and an Electric Boat
We hear more from Mark’s time with forager Mark Williams. They met up at Wigtown Bay on a rather wet and blustery day and headed along the coast to look for sea radish.Rachel meets up with Rosie Beetschen from Cairngorms Connect and Ross Watson from Forestry Land Scotland to hear all about some of the oldest and most interesting trees, Granny Pines. They take a wander in Glenmore to find a rather
A Mountain Rescue Story with Ioana Ticu
Rachel Stewart hears from an experienced mountaineer who had to call for help on Ben More
Trig Points at 90, Dippers, Gannets and Lapwings
Dr Shane Strachan has written a poem which encourages people to explore a new poetry and artwork trail along the 53-mile Formartine and Buchan Way. Rachel meets Shane to find out how he got involved.In this week’s podcast excerpt, Mark is in Glasgow with Professor Dee Heddon and Dr Rachel Clive of Glasgow University Theatre Studies to hear about the play Three Words for Forest. The play explores t
Three Words for Forest
Mark Stephen hears about the play Three Words for Forest which explores the challenges, hopes and fears of those working in the forestry industry at a time of climate crisis
Dry Stane Dyking, the Longest Canal Tunnel in Scotland and Foraging in the South West
Mark is in Gatehouse of Fleet with Mark Williams who has a new book out called The Coastal Forager. The pair chat about identifying coastal plants and have a nibble of a few different species.In this week’s podcast excerpt, Rachel meets Arlene Stuart, one of the presenters of Landward, which is celebrating five decades on air.The 200 year old Falkirk Tunnel is the longest canal tunnel in Scotland.
50 Years of Landward, Scotland's Farming and Countryside TV programme
Rachel Stewart meets Arlene Stuart, one of the presenters of Landward, Scotland's Farming and Countryside TV programme which celebrates five decades on air
The Oldest Munro Bagger, A Secret Bunker and Bikes Galore
Calum Maclean meets Kerry MacPhee and Beth Legg of Bike Trossachs at the Gravelfoyle event in Aberfoyle, where the gravel bike racing season started with a race called the Gravelfoyle 10.The Nevis Range mountain bike season has just kicked off and the Mountain Bike Uplift is open. Mark meets John Sutherland to find out how the gondola works.Helen Needham joins artist Jane Frere as she puts the fin
Bervie Brow Cold War Bunker
Mark Stephen meets Harry Fleming, owner of a cold war bunker on the Aberdeenshire coast. He hears the story of the bunker from the 1950s to present day
The Saint, The Sheep and The Sycamore
Mark recently visited the Solway Firth to find out more about some invasive species. Nic Coombey from the Solway Firth Partnership at Brighouse Bay, near Kirkcudbright explains how these species are being monitored.Rachel meets Fran Loots by the River Earn in Comrie to hear how a very special project called Nature Mingle is helping some housebound folk in the Strathearn area of Perthshire.In this
Lunan Bay Footsteps
Mark Stephen speaks to Kate Britton about the race to preserve a 2000 year old footprint.
White Hens, Bere Barley and Migrating Toads
Mark meets Gordon Whiteford at his farm in Buckie and finds out why white eggs are making a comeback.Bere barley is an ancient crop once grown all over the country, but today it’s mostly found in the Highlands and Islands. Scientists are now exploring whether it could thrive more widely again and if different varieties suit different areas. Rachel speaks with Tim George, Director of the Internatio
Connecting with Deep Time, a Special Volcano and Planet Mars with Artist Ilana Halperin
Helen Needham hears from artist Ilana Halperin in Newlands Park in Glasgow
Corbetts, Snowdrops and a Talkative Raven
Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors
Corbetts, Snowdrops and a Talkative Raven
Mark meets Christopher Valentine-Allan who is growing mushrooms for the restaurant market in a repurposed nuclear bunker in Edinburgh.Rachel learns the art of grass whistling with listener Mike Hendry and his sons, 7 year old Innes and 10 year old George.Mark and Rachel are joined by BBC China Correspondent Laura Bicker who has just returned from a trip sailing to Antarctica on the Bark Europa tal
Corbetts, Snowdrops and a Talkative Raven
Mark meets Christopher Valentine-Allan who is growing mushrooms for the restaurant market in a repurposed nuclear bunker in Edinburgh.Rachel learns the art of grass whistling with listener Mike Hendry and his sons, 7 year old Innes and 10 year old George.Mark and Rachel are joined by BBC China Correspondent Laura Bicker who has just returned from a trip sailing to Antarctica on the Bark Europa tal
Living with Fable the Raven
Mark Stephen meets Amy Buckley and her Raven called Fable
A Cornucopia of Wildlife including Bees, Dolphins and Beetles
The impact of cruise ship light pollution on bird species is the focus of research presented at Scotland’s Nature Student Conference at Stirling University. Rachel chats to Adam Woodward who explored the issue as part of his master’s degree.Cromarty is home to one of the world’s longest running bottlenose dolphin research programmes. Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone join Research Fellow Dr Barbara
Crovie - A Village on the Edge
Rachel Stewart talks to poet Anne Wiseman about Crovie's past and its fragile future.
A Cairngorms Soundscape, Harvesting Sap and Cycling from Boring to Dull
Cyclist Mark Wedgwood has completed some enormous challenges, including a journey from America to Scotland. Rachel meets him in Aberdeenshire to find out more about his adventures.People across the UK are being invited to celebrate the unsung heroes in their communities as the BBC launches the 2026 Make a Difference Awards. Last year, New Start Highland Garden in Inverness won the BBC Radio Scotla
Bikepacking with Somhairle Johnston
Mark Stephen meets cyclist and content creator Somhairle Johnston to discuss his new series on BBC Alba 'Somhairle Spins' in which he undertakes five different bikepacking adventures in Scotland.
Tawny Owls, Pearl Mussels and Jelly Ears
The iconic ash tree on Glasgow’s Argyle street won UK Tree of the Year last year and is now nominated for European Tree of the Year. Mark looks up at the giant ash with arborist David Treanor and discovers why the 170-year-old tree is so cherished.Fresh efforts are underway to save critically endangered fresh water pearl mussels in the Cairngorms National Park. Rachel catches up with Freshwater Re
Women of the Cairngorms
Rachel Stewart meets storyteller Sarah Hobbs to hear how women have shaped the landscape.
Here Comes the Sun, Europe's First Feminist Bird Club and Eating Jellyfish
Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors
Murmurs of Spring
Mark Stephen visits the Murmurs of Spring art exhibition at the Scottish Ornithologists Club in East Lothian
Swift Bricks, Palm Houses and Potholes
The swift population has seen a significant decline in recent years. Now, Scotland has become the first country in the UK to introduce a legal requirement to install swift bricks in all new buildings. Rachel meets Cally Smith of North East Scotland Swifts to discover how the bricks will help to protect the birds.The historic Palm Houses at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh are newly restored a
Master Wood Carver, David Robinson
Mark Stephen meets master wood carver David Robinson at his studio in East Lothian. David's works mainly feature nature and wildlife
Harmony in Nature, a Festival of Light and the World's Toughest Row
A topical guide to life in the Scottish outdoors.
The Role of the Corn Bunting in Scotland's Ecology
Mark Stephen speaks to Professor Will Cresswell about the welcome rise in corn buntings.
Seagrass Fairy Circles, Peas and Beans and an Invasion of Gorse
Rachel meets Director Robbie Synge to learn about a new film featuring young people at work and play in the landscapes of the Cairngorms. ‘Tha Sinn an Seo’ (We Are Here), made throughout 2025, explores habitat restoration work of Cairngorms Connect.The National Trust for Scotland has purchased new land around the Drum Estate, near Banchory, Aberdeenshire to help expand the ancient tree population.
The Rangers and Volunteers Keeping Gorse at Bay in Aberdeen
Mark Stephen meets the countryside rangers and volunteers keeping a large area of land on the outskirts of Aberdeen free of gorse
Cairngorm Mountain Ski Resort
This week we’re live from Cairngorm Mountain and joined by a myriad of guests connected by the adventures of the slopes. Snowboarder, mountain biker and climate activist Lauren MacCallum joins Mark and Rachel to talk about Cairngorm 2030, the groundbreaking programme aiming to make the Cairngorms the UK’s first net-zero national park.Rachel takes to the slopes with Cairngorm ski-patrol to hear abo
Queer Ecology with Dr Em Merrin May Armstrong
Helen Needham meets interdisciplinary plant resercher Em Merrin May Armstrong in Glasgow
Snow, Camping in Winter and a New Air Ambulance
Some people have found themselves unable to get out and about due to heavy snowfall this week. Rachel meets Cameron Black based in Inverurie in Aberdeenshire who has been voluntarily clearing streets with his own plough.Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance has unveiled the most advanced helicopter air ambulance of its type in the UK, which operates from a base in Aberdeen. The new helicopter offers gr
Drawing Ancient Trees with Tansy Lee Moir
Mark Stephen goes out sketching old trees at Haddo with artist Tansy Lee Moir
A Bucket Mill, Yule Day and Rowing the Atlantic
he Quadrantid meteor shower will be peaking in the UK around 3rd and 4th January. Elizabeth Tindall shares her experience of observing fireball meteors which are associated with this type of shower.Rachel catches up with Milli Abram as she undertakes a solo rowing adventure across the Atlantic Ocean.The Atlantic Salmon is now classified as an endangered species in the UK. Mark hears about the Save
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