Society’s valuation of the rural environment has turned from food to fun, according to a leading land use specialist, with major global changes in demographics, food supplies, energy security and environment signalling even greater changes for the Highlands and Islands. Dr Richard Birnie, head of communications and outreach at Aberdeen’s The Macaulay Institute, will expand on this theme when he addresses the next in the series of sustainable development seminars at UHI Millennium Institute. [continue reading ... ]

The Macaulay Institute will host a group of key researchers from the fields of environmental and rural resource research on 19th March, to mark the launch of a new publication, ABSORB. The publication summarises socio economic research conducted by staff at the Macaulay Institute, the Scottish Agricultural College and includes research commissioned by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. [continue reading ... ]

The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and Macaulay Research Consultancy Services (MRCS) yesterday (Thursday 8 March 2007) celebrated their achievements in winning a certificate of Commendation in the Scottish Executive’s 2006 Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, for their entry, A Borders Wetland Vision: Development of a Strategic Planning Tool for Wetland Biodiversity. The commendation, which recognises achievement in development planning, was received by David Donnelly and Roger Cummins of MRCS and Andy Tharme of Scottish Borders Council, at a ceremony held at The Hub, on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, yesterday afternoon. [continue reading ... ]

Date: Friday 9th March 2007 [continue reading ... ]