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Local focus
Moray pupils learn about the black grouse
13 May 2013
Countryside Rangers from Glenlivet visited Tomintoul Primary School last week to teach pupils about the black grouse and its elaborate mating ritual, known as "lekking".
Pupils took part in various activities designed to teach them about this rare bird and its lekking ritual, a rarely observed behaviour that takes place throughout late April and May at daybreak.
There are eight black grouse lek sites on the estate. These are monitored as part of keeping an eye on the overall status of black grouse in the Cairngorms.
Black Grouse Week on the Glenlivet estate
07 May 2013
Birds before breakfast! Join us and Glenlivet Wildlife on early morning Land Rover tours to observe the unique mating behaviour of the black grouse, every day from Wednesday 8 - Sunday 12 May (excluding Friday).
Booking is essential:
Telephone 01807 590 241
Or follow the link: Glenlivet Wildlife Black Grouse Watch
Walk it off, walk in Dunster
30 April 2013
As part of the Exmoor Walking Festival there is a 'walk it off walk' across the Dunster estate on 3 May.
Sample some of the finest local produce with a hearty Dunster breakfast and then walk it off with Countryside Manager, Andy Player, returning to the B&B for well-earned refreshments.
Cost (including Walk, breakfast and cream tea/refreshments) £13 per person. Booking is essential.
Further information
Dunster estate office 01643 821 309
Email info@dunsterestate.co.uk
Trust to take over Tomintoul hostel
23 April 2013
The Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust will shortly take over management responsibilities of a hostel on Main Street in Tomintoul. The hostel will open for business on 1 May.
The trust was set up in 2012 and is supported by The Crown Estate, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Moray Council.
Further information
'Future Bingham' unanimously approved
19 April 2013
In a unanimous decision, Rushcliffe Borough Council has approved proposals for a major new development in Bingham, Nottinghamshire. The Future Bingham plans will provide over 1,000 new homes and jobs and a £7 million investment in local infrastructure.
The proposals, which have been five years in preparation, will bring a major boost to the future prosperity and growth of Bingham.
Further information
87 new homes approved for Skirlaugh
18 April 2013
The Crown Estate has been given the go ahead to develop new homes for the village of Skirlaugh, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The site is located on land north and west of Benninghome Lane playing field, Skirlaugh, and will deliver 87 new detached and semi-detached homes, a proportion of which will be affordable.
Further information
Go-ahead for next step in Fochabers new housing plans
16 April 2013
We have been granted planning permission in principle to build a new housing estate in Fochabers.
Members of Moray Council's Planning and Regulatory Services Committee have given the green light for 50 new homes to be created on land to the west of Ordiquish Road. The approval is subject to agreeing an s75 legal agreement with the council.
Further information
New planning application submitted for mountain bike trail centre
08 April 2013
Planning application has been submitted to Moray Council to relocate the Glenlivet mountain bike trail visitor centre and café.
The proposed site is on a south-facing slope at a former quarry on the east side of Carn Meilich.
The project includes the development of two new mountain bike trails and is set to realise the Cairngorms potential as one of the world's top mountain biking destinations.
Heath Fritillary given helping hand
29 March 2013
The scrub on one of the country's last refuges for the Heath Fritillary butterfly, Hopcott Common, was subjected to controlled burning ('swaling', as it is known locally) to aid the growth of food for the rare butterfly.
The Heath Fritillary is doing well on Hopcott, but the scrub constantly threatens the desired vegetation, such as heather and bilberry.
This is part of the Exmoor National Park moorkeeper project in which we are involved with other landowners.
New Dunster website
27 March 2013
We have a brand new website for the Dunster estate in Somerset.
The new website is better focused on visitors and uses photography which really shows off the beauty of the area, which will help attract people to this fantastic destination. Visit the website and come to Dunster soon!
Rural news
- 08 May 2013 Residents offered alternative choice on new homes for Devizes
- 19 April 2013 Hat trick to provide major boost to new homes supply
- 19 April 2013 Future Bingham unanimously approved
