MARK EWART

[Sarah-Jane Laing @SJLaing]

We really welcome the move from @scotgov and look forward to discussing what else needs to happen to make sure we don’t derail tourism or crucial management activity

[Fieldsports Channel @fieldsportstv]

@Natures_Voice cosy relationship with @Channel4News

A disappearing hen harrier would not be a disappearing hen harrier without the RSPB blaming gamekeepers and Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News reporting it. Here are RSPB staff meeting Thomson outside the trial of former gamekeeper Racster Dingwall.

@c4_pmc

[Sarah-Jane Laing @SJLaing]

Delighted to play a small part in the celebration to mark the opening of the 2026 salmon fishing season on the Tweed. The health of the river is intrinsically linked with the health of nature, economy and communities across the Borders. As a Kelso lass it was a real honour!

[FarmingUK @FarmingUK]

Share if you believe in home-grown food and hardworking British farmers! 🚜 🇬🇧

[Jake Swindells - Scottish Countryside Alliance @ScotCountryside]

Stage 2 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill has now concluded, covering gamebird licensing, venison use, deer management, muirburn and wildfire measures.
👉 Read the full summary of proceedings and what it means here: https://t.co/z3rRieg4r7

[Sarah-Jane Laing @SJLaing]

If you have a stake in rural UK then this is a must listen! ⁦@MoredunComms⁩ has done an amazing job but they need our help to deliver this essential vaccine https://t.co/9fAZ96HOgF

[Jake Swindells - Scottish Countryside Alliance @ScotCountryside]

The Countryside Alliance Awards, known affectionately as the #RuralOscars, are back for 2026, shining a spotlight on the people, businesses and communities that make rural Britain so special.
Nominate a local business ⬇️

#CountrysideAllianceAwards

https://t.co/61RDfOyxCE

[Scottish Land & Estates @ScotLandEstates]

The Carrbridge-Dava wildfire is the UK's first 'mega' fire. A letter published today in @thetimes by our Director of Moorland, Ross Ewing, calls on government organisations and authorities to recognise the importance of muirburn for wildfire prevention https://t.co/2kQ6xYX8Tt

[Dee Ward @DeeWardRottal]

I don’t think this is a great article or a very accurate one from my own experience. It’s full of emotion and not fact. But maybe that’s the agenda Robin wants to push?
Everyone is entitled to buy land just as they are entitled to buy cars and houses. Some can afford a flat others a mansion. Some a modest car some a Ferrari. It’s likewise with land. Some an acre some thousands. But land is for sale every day and can be bought by anyone.
Tree planting is a public good - everyone benefits either through carbon capture, biodiversity or water quality and natural flood management. Here at Rottal I want to create a 700 ha woodland that will be part planted with native trees and part naturally regenerated. I will have a shortfall of £250k after the grant money that will need to be funded elsewhere or by me. Hardly “creaming off public subsidies” for my own benefit when everyone and nature benefits and I have to foot the bill £250k shortfall. I might be able to plug that with carbon money but that gives me (or someone after I die) a 100 year liability to manage those trees.
It’s not as simple as everyone makes out and as one person commented below for most folks “why buy the cow when you get the milk for free in Scotland”.
I would be happy to host you and @RLMcAlpine here to show you the realities of land management in Scotland. It is not the gold mine you believe and the largest landowners pump huge amounts of money into rural Scotland when no one else will, because they believe in it and the local communities and they love it. They make no money on it - that money is earned elsewhere and brought to into Scotland by them.
I hope you’ll both accept my invitation in the spirit it is intended because there are indeed huge opportunities to enable communities to take ownership of parcels of land for community woodlands, growing food, recreational areas etc or local amenities like pubs, hotels shops etc and that is no doubt a very good thing, but the sooner we talk of the realities of land ownership in rural Scotland and unite everyone behind those managing land sustainably and responsibly for people, jobs and nature, the better.

[Moorland Association @MoorlandAssoc]

🚒👏 Great teamwork on the Dark Peak.

Estate gamekeepers have been training @WYFRS crews in off-road Argo use, sharing vital skills and local knowledge to tackle moorland wildfires safely and effectively.

Working together protects the uplands.

[Moorland Association @MoorlandAssoc]

🔥 Scotland is acting on wildfire warnings - @DefraGovUK is turning away.

The Scottish Government has delayed new rules on burning to protect lives and landscapes. Meanwhile Defra’s red tape has created a ban by bureaucracy.

Read @AndrewGilruth's new blog, link in replies 👇

[Moorland Association @MoorlandAssoc]

🔥 Natural England’s 2025 review on heather burning ignored key wildfire evidence from the James Hutton Institute, a study showing managed burning reduces fire risk. Selective science makes for bad policy.

Read the full story - link is in replies 👇

[Scottish Land & Estates @ScotLandEstates]

A pragmatic and evidence-based decision to postpone the implementation of muirburn licensing has been welcomed by Scottish Land & Estates.

Read more:
https://t.co/Z2nkyEZyqI

[Scottish Land & Estates @ScotLandEstates]

🎙️ Good News Award 💡 Women in Wellies Podcast wins for amplifying rural women’s voices & connecting communities through inspiring stories. 👩‍🌾🎧 #HiH2025 #GoodNews

[Moorland Association @MoorlandAssoc]

🚜 Using cutting to reduce fuel load instead of controlled burning may sound simple, but it isn’t. Machinery compacts soil, reducing water storage & flood resilience, while flattening hummocks that wildlife needs. Read the science - link in replies 👇

[Scottish Land & Estates @ScotLandEstates]

SLE is deeply concerned by the disappearance of two Golden Eagles in the South of Scotland.

If you have any info on the disappearance of Tarras or Wren, please inform @PoliceScotland using the details contained in the link below:

https://t.co/4VektIlsMP

[Jake Swindells - Scottish Countryside Alliance @ScotCountryside]

📣 Nominations for the 2026 Countryside Alliance Awards are officially open!
Do you know a rural business that truly excels in serving their community? Nominate them and ensure they get the recognition they deserve.

🔗https://t.co/hqf2Qt8Hjw

#CountrysideAllianceAwards

[The Gift of Grouse @giftofgrouse]

New GWCT research found 16 species of bird of prey on Scottish moorlands with Buzzards and Red Kites most seen. Supported by Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups and Scottish Land & Estates @GWCT @ScotLandEstates https://t.co/Z1nRK7Cw8O

[Jake Swindells - Scottish Countryside Alliance @ScotCountryside]

Wondering what's it like to win a #CountrysideAllianceAward?
Tara from the Gordon Arms shares her thoughts on what receiving the Best Pub award meant for her and the Gordon community in the Scottish Borders.
Nominations for 2026 opening soon! 🏆
#RuralOscars #ShopLocal

[Scottish Land & Estates @ScotLandEstates]

🦌Yesterday was Scottish Venison Day!

A sustainable and healthy choice straight from Scotland’s countryside. Low in fat, high in protein, and packed with nutrients, it’s a prime example of how responsible land management can deliver food that’s good for people, jobs and nature.