Contributed

Pine martens around the Kyle

Pine martens around the Kyle

Secretive and rarely seen,  the European Pine Marten, (martes martes) is about the size of a cat. It can be ferocious, with sharp teeth and claws which help it to hunt birds and rodents. By Cherry Alexander Dark brown on their backs and with a distinctive yellow bib, this is

The Bird-watcher's guide to the Colonels of Sutherland

The Bird-watcher's guide to the Colonels of Sutherland

By Dave Goulder The upper echelons of Rosehall Society in 1977 were dominated by military retirees here to ply the fishing in Sutherland's rivers, and to this observer they seemed to bear a remarkable similarity to the wading birds of the area. A broadsheet of the verse was

Perfect Days

Perfect Days

Release date (UK): 2023 | Country: Japan, Germany | Running time: 124 min | Genres: Drama | Director: Wim Wenders | Starring: Koji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto, Arisa Nakano. | BBFC PG By Jack Weir Perfect Days is the latest film from German director Wim Wenders of Paris, Texas fame. The film follows Hirayama, a man in

When the fire was the  focus of the kitchen

When the fire was the  focus of the kitchen

Ardgay Girl, by Lily Byron By Liz Treacher, Author I f you have read and enjoyed Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee, you will love Ardgay Girl (Byron, 2023) by local author Lily Byron. It’s a journey back in time, a dive into Highland life in the post-war

Early frog action

Early frog action

Common frogs are one of the only six native species of amphibians found in Scotland. They come to ponds to breed during the spring and spend much of the rest of the year feeding on dry land. They generally appears shiny and wet, in contrast to the dryness of a

Wrens

Wrens

By Dave Goulder  A fierce winter;  the coldest for many years.  Here in the village  the air hurts.  It is minus 27C.  Wrens are crammed into an old hamster box  Under the eaves  of the lean-to.  They are shuffling constantly.  In the morning  taking out the ashes, I find

Killers of the Flower Moon

Killers of the Flower Moon

Release date (UK): 2023 | Country: USA | Running time: 206 min | Genres: Crime Drama | Director: Martin Scorsese | Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone. | BBFC 15 By Jack Weir Martin Scorsese’s latest film is an epic historical crime drama about the murders of Osage Native Americans that took place