Endurance Racing, the Ness Islands of Inverness and a Mini Kilted King

Jan 18, 2025

Ellie Corsie, project manager for the Nevis Nature Network, shares her insights on a massive nature restoration initiative in Lochaber, covering 22,000 acres of precious habitats. She discusses the challenges of managing invasive species and enhancing biodiversity while balancing ecological restoration with tourism needs. The conversation then shifts to the exhilarating world of endurance racing, revealing why athletes are drawn to grueling competitions like the Spine Race, and highlights the importance of ecological projects in supporting Scotland's breathtaking landscapes.

Ask episode

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 4min

Restoring Nature and Heritage in Scotland

03:56 • 26min

Endurance Racing and Ecological Dreams

30:02 • 21min

Challenges of Fragile Ecosystems and Herbivore Management

50:53 • 2min

Listener Engagement and Mystery Sound Challenges

52:55 • 4min

Exploring the Ness Islands

57:02 • 13min

Memories of Lifeboat Rescues and Community Events

01:09:32 • 2min

Portraits and Perceptions: Holyrood House History

01:11:37 • 9min

Rachel is in Lochaber where one of the biggest nature restoration projects in the country is underway. The Nevis Nature Network Project covers 22 thousand acres which includes fragments of Scottish rainforest and rare montane scrub. She met project manager Ellie Corsie for a walk to hear about their restoration vision.

Mark is on Calton Hill in Edinburgh hearing about the challenges of repairing our historical buildings. Many of our famous landmarks were built using stone that is no longer quarried in Scotland. Imogen Shaw from the British Geological Survey tells him about their desire for more buildings to be built using Scottish stone to allow quarries to open here.

Rachel delves into the history of the Newburgh on Ythan lifeboat, the oldest lifeboat station in Scotland. Charlie Catto has written a book about its history, and she met him at the station to hear about his research. She also hears about the plans of the Newburgh and Ythan Community Trust to take on the building and hopefully restore it to the condition it was in when it was first built in 1877.

In the week where competitors took part in the 268-mile Montane Spine Race between Derbyshire and the Scottish Borders, we chat live to world record endurance cyclist Jenny Graham about why people want to take part in these kind of events and how she prepares for them.

Mark is on Royal Deeside where a recent collaboration between Aberdeenshire Council and the Cairngorms National Park Authority has resulted in a new stretch of path being built. The Charter Chest Path links up the existing path network and keeps cyclists and pedestrians off the busy road. He went for a wander with Colin Simpson, Head of Visitor Services and Active Travel with the National Park.

Back to the Nevis Nature Network Project where Rachel continues her walk with Ellie Corsie to one of the areas of montane scrub they want to protect.

Phil Sime takes a walk around Ness Islands in Inverness in the company of historian Norman Newton. Norman tells him about the areas interesting past including being home to a very popular outdoor arena and a dog cemetery.