BY CALUM CAMPBELL The recent wildfires in Moray have left a trail of destruction, with stories circulating and facts still emerging. What’s clear is that lessons must be learned—and acted upon—to better handle such disasters in the future. While many are more qualified to speak on this, here are my thoughts. How the Fires Started The Coastguard, during an exercise near Carrbridge, fired a flare … Continue reading Wildfires in Moray: Lessons Learnt?
BY ALEXIA JAMES Oh, what a glorious day for rural Britain! A few days ago, in the hallowed halls of Westminster, the campaign to ban driven grouse shooting was left in tatters—and we can’t help but spare a thought for poor Chris Packham (who showed up looking like a darts player) and his sidekick the propagandist Ruth Tingay who must have found the whole affair … Continue reading Grouse Shooting Triumphs as Packham’s Extremist Campaign Crumbles
BY DOMINIC WIGHTMAN A Nocturnal Rebellion Against the Modern Age There’s something wonderfully freeing about standing in an English field in June, long after the last cuckoo has cried itself hoarse and the swifts have turned in for the night, staring up at the heavens like some latter-day druid. The modern Briton, of course, wouldn’t know a star if it fell on his head – … Continue reading Stargazing in June
BY BEN O’ROURKE The fuses have been lit. Does Bruce Willis still have time to save the countryside? There’s a popular trope in films where authorities are convinced of one thing and people in the know telling them they’re wrong get ignored. A good example is Die Hard. In the 1988 blockbuster, terrorists take over a building in Los Angeles and their leader, Alan Rickman, … Continue reading Shamefully Burning Taxpayers’ Cash
BY ALEXIA JAMES It is well worth remembering why the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was originally set up and by whom: Founded in 1889, the RSPB was incorporated by Royal Charter. Originally granted by King Edward VII in November 1904, the Royal Charter is the legal instrument constituting the RSPB and giving it legal status. Since then, the Charter and Statutes have been … Continue reading The RSPB’s Tragic Decline
Preserving a legacy: Highland & Hill ponies take centre stage at the Scottish Game Fair Highland ponies, native to Scotland and on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s vulnerable list, are going to be showcasing their hardiness and strength at this year’s Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Game Fair. As the largest mountain and moorland pony breed in Scotland, these animals are uniquely suited to … Continue reading Scottish Game Fair Hill Ponies
BY DOMINIC WIGHTMAN The Great British Countryside does not argue much. It does not need to. It simply is—a rich, unbroken testament to the quiet, immutable truths that modern man, in his restless arrogance, has forgotten. To stand in the honeyed light of a West Country evening, where the shadows of ancient oaks stretch like the fingers of time, is to understand that conservatism is … Continue reading Granite, Truth and Resurrection
BY BERT BURNETT Once again, we’re being fed the tired old narrative that climate change is solely to blame for the recent wildfires tearing through Scotland’s countryside. Lorna Slater and her ilk would have us believe that until recently, Scotland was a perpetually soggy paradise where the sun never shone and wildfires were unheard of. The reality, of course, is very different. Scotland has always … Continue reading Wildfires in Scotland: The Real Culprit Isn’t Climate Change
BY INDIA MAPPLETHORPE DEFRA Introduces Mandatory ‘Pheasant Awareness Training’ for Dog Owners In a move that has left the British Countryside equal parts bemused and grudgingly resigned, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has quietly unveiled its latest initiative to restore harmony between man, beast, and gamebird. From January 2026, all dog walkers venturing within three miles of a hedgerow will be required … Continue reading Pheasant Awareness Training for Dog Owners
BY BERT BURNETT The Demise of the Online Haters of the British Countryside Ignoring trolls like Chris Packham and George Monbiot, who thrive on triggering emotional responses from Countrysiders and grow increasingly extreme and irrelevant, is not just a matter of personal preference—it’s a strategic necessity. These individuals have built their platforms on divisive rhetoric not science, often targeting the British countryside, its traditions, and … Continue reading Fall of the ‘Eco’ Trolls
BY JAMIE FOSTER A Visionary Bridging Conservation, Human Rights, and Storytelling In a world where the delicate balance between humanity and nature is increasingly under threat, few individuals have managed to bridge the gap between conservation, human rights, and storytelling as pragmatically or effectively as Tom Opre. A film director, cinematographer, television producer, best-selling author, and passionate advocate, Opre has dedicated his life to shedding … Continue reading The Noble Mission of Tom Opre
BY LIZZIE DANBURY A guide to becoming a pound shop terrorist and getting a criminal record for life Are you bored of having too much free time and not enough ways to embarrass yourself in public? Do you dream of spending your weekends dressed in black, lurking in bushes, and shouting at people who actually have jobs? Do you want to save on utility bills … Continue reading Become a Hunt Sab!
BY BERT BURNETT Peatlands have become a hot topic in recent years, hailed as vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. Yet, behind the well-meaning rhetoric of conservation and rewilding lies a more complex story—one of financial incentives, natural processes, fire risk, and the often-overlooked role of traditional land management. While the protection of peatlands is undeniably important, it is equally crucial to question whether the … Continue reading The Great Peatland Con
BY GARY BAXTER I have had eeefuckinnough. This winter has done it for me. It’s not so much the weather either. So what erks me you ask? Tread mighty careful if you dare ask, as I am getting as growly as the Deputy Prime Minister’s ginger growler. So let me begin… North of the border an outbreak of oversized pussy cats in the hills. Who … Continue reading Notes from the Actual Countryside
BY BERT BURNETT While the UK boasts pockets of natural beauty, much of its terrain has been shaped by centuries of human activity. From the stone-clad mountains to the managed grouse moors, the idea of a ‘natural’ habitat is often elusive. The Illusion of Natural Habitats in the UK In the UK, truly natural habitats are rare. Even the most remote areas, such as the … Continue reading The Complexities of Habitat Management and Rewilding
BY CHARLES HOFFMAN Grouse shooting is a time-honoured tradition in the UK, deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of rural Britain. Beyond its heritage value, grouse shooting significantly benefits the economy, contributes to environmental conservation, and sustains rural communities. Grouse shooting is a major contributor to the UK economy, particularly in rural areas where opportunities for economic growth can be limited. According to … Continue reading The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Grouse Shooting in the UK
BY BERT BURNETT I am reminded of a project to help one of the country’s most threatened breeding bird species, the curlew, which was awarded more than £156,000 from the Scottish Government’s Biodiversity Challenge Fund. This initiative, titled Curlews in Crisis Scotland, aimed to increase breeding areas and reduce predation for Europe’s largest wader and one of its most iconic birds. Scotland is home to … Continue reading Crisis-hit Curlews, Cash & The RSPB
CSM EDITORIAL In the fight against poverty, one of the most crucial voices is often the one that goes unheard—the voice of those who live in poverty themselves. The Poverty Truth Commission (PTC) seeks to change this by placing people with lived experience at the heart of the conversation. Established in 2009, the PTC operates across the UK, bridging the gap between those living in … Continue reading Rural Poverty: A Snapshot
A road trip through the UK countryside is the perfect way to soak in its charm. The journey offers a mix of rolling hills, quiet villages, and historic cities. If you’re planning your route, don’t miss Scotland and the city of Edinburgh. And for a unique stop, consider visiting a casino during your trip. Here’s a guide to help you plan. Starting in England A … Continue reading Rolling Hills and Open Roads: UK Countryside Road Trip Guide
BY BERT BURNETT Rewilding, a concept that promotes restoring ecosystems to their natural state, has gained popularity in the UK as a solution to environmental degradation. The current government is apparently fond of it. Advocates herald it as a means to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and reconnect people with nature. However, the reality of rewilding is often far more complex and fraught with challenges. … Continue reading Another Rewilding Failure
