Rural services

Members of the public are being urged to notify experts if they think they see a non-native hornet species.

Yellow-legged Asian hornets (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) are a non-native invasive species which are aggressive predators of several species, including honey bees and other pollinators.

In the latest of a series of initiatives behind its #KeepTalking campaign, RSABI is encouraging people to try find time, even during lambing, calving and sowing, to look out for each other.

Working with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC), the charity is publishing social media posts highlighting the vital #KeepTalking message along with SAYFC’s powerful AreEweOk? message.

Alba trees is the UK’s largest cell grown nursery producing 30 million trees per year across three sites in the beautiful East Lothian countryside. As an industry leader they recognise the importance of cultivating the next generation of foresters to ensure our forests and woodlands are cared for in the future and ultimately safeguarding our planet against climate change.

Legislation to support Scotland’s rural economy and communities has passed Stage 1 in Parliament.

As recent celebrations marked the successful graduation of the latest participants of the SAOS (the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society) 'Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders' programme, the doors open for applications for 2024/25 from the next batch of driven self-starters keen to learn how best to embrace change and uncertainty and lead with confidence.

This week saw the publication by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee (RAIC) of the Stage 1 Report on The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.

Scotland’s wildlife will benefit from increased protection thanks to a new law  passed by the Scottish Parliament.

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill includes a range of measures that will help tackle raptor persecution, and ensure that the management of species on grouse moors is done so sustainably and with animal welfare as a priority.