Scotland Outdoors
A topical guide to life in the Scottish outdoors, covering activities, nature, and culture across Scotland.
Episodes
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
A Walk on the Wild Side with Zeki Basan
Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone go wild foraging in the Highlands with outdoor survival instructor Zeki Basan. Along the way, Zeki introduces them to essential bushcraft skills, from food preservation and shelter building to the ancient art of fire-lighting using stone.
A Ryvoan Bothy Special
Mark and Rachel celebrate 60 Years of the Mountain Bothy Association with a trip to Ryvoan Bothy to get a sense of the very lively bothy culture in Scotland.
In Search of Bird Song with Neil Ansell
Helen Needham discusses hearing loss and his search for bird song with writer Neil Ansell
Alpacas, Robins and a Christmas Treasure Hunt
Farmer Simon Johnson offers tours and experiences with alpacas. Rachel heads to Bowbridge Alpacas in Fife and begins by taking a look at some alpaca babies sheltering from the cold.It’s National Robin Day on the 21st of December. Mark meets Ian Broadbent in Aberdeenshire to chat about the songbird and its small but mighty reputation.Rachel joins Dr Andrew Hoolachan in Glasgow, the wettest city in
Crystal Hunting on Cairngorm with Mark Diggins of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service
Mark Stephen goes out in search of snow with Mark Diggins of SAIS
Squirrel Detection, Ice Swimming and Cattle Droving
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has just acquired a piece of land which will double the size of one of its wildlife reserves. Rachel joins Reserves Manager Rab Potter at Gight Wood near Methlick to discover why the site is so significant.A new survey has revealed that the number of peregrine pairs in the breeding season within Cairngorms National Park has declined by 56% since 2002. Mark meets Chief E
The Findhorn Foundation
Phil Sime and Morven Livingstone meet up with Jonathan Caddy at the Findhorn Foundation.
The Super Moon, Fungus and the Highest Village in Scotland
In the summer, Mark met Euan Tomes, Assistant Woodlands Manager at Moray Estates, in the aftermath of a wildfire that spread through Dava Moor. Mark catches up with Euan to find out how the land has been recovering and what happened to the osprey chicks Euan helped to save.In the heart of Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway is an organisation called A’ the Airts. Rachel meets Aileen Sim and Kate Slo
Twenty Years of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Mark and Rachel speak to delegates at the Scottish Outdoor Access Network conference.
A Daredevil Photographer, a Winter Climber and an Atlantic Rower
The Spirit of Adventure Festival is hosted this weekend by Paralympic champion Karen Darke and features Claire Alldritt, who embarked on a 1000 mile trek with her horses in 2022. Rachel joins them to chat next adventures.In this week’s podcast excerpt, Mark meets climber Guy Robertson whose latest book, The Great Mixed Climbs of Scotland, co-produced with photographer Hamish Frost, highlights wint
Winter Climbing with Guy Robertson
Mark Stephen meets Scottish based winter climber Guy Robertson. Guy's latest book, The Great Mixed Climbs of Scotland, co-produced with photographer Hamish Frost highlights the best winter climbs in the country. Mark also finds out what it takes to be a winter climber
A Doggy Special - Sheep Dogs, Dog Walkers and a Deathly Disease
Forvie Nature Reserve is known for its seal population. Ythan Seal Watch are a volunteer group who promote responsible viewing of seals, Mark met up with them to find out more.Rachel heads to the beach at Broughty Ferry to chat with Isla Fowler and Jessica Giannotti about SeaDyes, a young company working with the James Hutton Institute to create natural dyes from seaweed.”Listener and professional
The Stalker and the Chef
Mark Stephen goes out on the hill at Finzean in Aberdeenshire with stalker Hedge Shand and Chef Sanjay Bhattacharya to discuss deer management and venison.
Outdoor Saunas, Walking with Goats and A Library of Things
Photographer, filmmaker and researcher Jill de Fresnes has encapsulated the experiences of twelve Scottish women who worked as herring gutters from the 1920s to the 1960s in a new exhibition at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh. Mark meets Jill there to chat about Silver, Salt and Stories – Images and Memories of the Scots Herring Women.Two friends in Fife set up the Wild Scottish Saun
Saunas and the Sea
Two working mothers in Fife set up Wild Scottish Sauna during lockdown after seeing the popularity of wild swimming.
Magpies, Dark Skies and Cairngorms Pride
Cairngorms Pride is a new nature-led organisation set up in Cairngorms National Park with the motto: “here for the planet, queer for the planet”. Rachel chats to Dan Cottam and Kath Pierce about the social enterprise.Coinneach Rankin and Hamish Macleod are climbers and filmmakers who make the series Dàna on BBC Alba in which they capture their adventures in the outdoors. Helen Needham joins them i
Adventures in Gaelic with Coinneach Rankin and Hamish Macleod
Coinneach Rankin and Hamish Macleod are both climbers and filmmakers who make the series Dàna on BBC Alba in which they capture their adventures in the outdoors. They discuss their approach to adventuring, filmmaking and the Gaelic language and landscape.
Daydreaming, Rare Moss and Photographing the River Spey
Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors.
The Battle of Culloden
Mark Stephen visits Culloden Battlefield to meet archaeologists involved in a recent dig there to find out what they have uncovered
Saltmarshes, Shinty and A Horse's Tooth
The Mither Tap forms part of the range of hills collectively known as Bennachie in Aberdeenshire. Mark takes a stroll with Peter Stock and Alan Henderson of Bailies of Bennachie to discover plans to restore the path to the Mither Tap.Jenny Graham joins the Strong Mum Club baby hike near Inverness to find out how mums in the group are benefitting from getting outdoors and socialising together.In th
Tom Bowser, author of Waters of Life, Fighting for Scotland's Beavers
Rachel Stewart meets Tom Bowser, author of Waters of Life, Fighting for Scotland's Beavers at his farm in Perthshire where in November 2021 a family of beavers were relocated
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