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When James Colston took on the management of Arisaig Farms in the west Highlands of Scotland, over 30 years ago, he never imagined he'd become obsessed by the wonderful world of a small endangered butterfly species, the Chequered Skipper. Its survival is just one benefit of decades of work, encouraging and protecting tree growth on the 10,000 acre hill farm.   The key to James's approach is...

Sarah Boden runs a farm on Eigg, in the Hebrides.  While currently planning major changes, she's determined to continue the environmental friendly initiatives she has introduced, as she told our reporter, Kathleen Carragher.   A report for BBC Radio 4's Farming Today Broadcast March 2025   [audio mp3="https://www.yamal.co.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Eigg-FT-fEATURE.mp3"][/audio]   Reporter:  Kathleen Carragher Producer:  John Deering...

Scotland's new Agriculture Act now requires every farmer and crofter to complete an annual Whole Farm Plan in order to claim their basic support payments.  The aim is to identify where and how they can make their businesses more sustainable and environmentally friendly. While there is a lot of advice available from the agricultural advisory services, the Whole Farm plan has caused confusion and uncertainty...

Creel fishemen on the west coast of Scotland have joined forces with a marine conservation charity to try to reduce the numbers of whales, dolphins and basking sharks getting entangled in the ropes they currently use at sea. They’ve conducted trials of a ‘sinking rope’, which, they say can reduce the risk of entanglement by as much as 80 per cent. The trials were funded by...

The welfare organisation, the Fishermen’s Mission, recently closed its facilities in Mallaig, once a major fishing port on the west coast of Scotland. It's another sign of challenging times for the industry and the communities that grew up around it. Kathleen Carragher met Jacqueline McDonell, CEO of Mallaig Harbour Authority and Harbour Master, James McLean, down at the quayside to discuss the changes.   A report for...

A group of food producers in the Lochaber area of the West Highlands of Scotland, who work together to sell their produce online, say they are showing it is possible to grow an impressive variety of fruit and vegetables in the area, despite poor soil, hilly terrain and a wet and windy climate. Crofter, Marian Austin, says that nurturing and mulching the soil is vital and...