The Weekly, every Sunday: one place worth going and one thing worth reading.
Interesting news · Thursday 19 February
Small signs of recovery for Scotland’s rare capercaillie bird
Perthshire · from theguardian.com
Photograph · theguardian.com
After decades of steep decline, Scotland’s capercaillie, one of Britain’s most endangered birds, is showing early signs of recovery in the Caledonian pine forests.
At RSPB Abernethy, the number of male capercaillies displaying at lekking sites rose by 50% between 2020 and 2025, increasing from 20 to 30 males, thanks to targeted habitat management and conservation efforts.
These include remote‑controlled mowing to help blaeberries (bilberries) grow, and virtual fencing for better grazing. The species remains at low numbers nationally.
An ivy-clad distillery of 1798 on the edge of Pitlochry, making the malt at the heart of Bell's, with tours, tastings and a bar made from an old copper mash tun.
A colourful cafe at the Cairn O'Mohr winery near Errol, opened in 2021, cooking Perthshire and Dundee produce with a street-food twist and fruit wines to match.
Barefoot dancing in the grass, festoon lit lawns, firepits for toasting marshmallows, stargazing windows. Weddings at Guardswell are relaxed and a lot of fun.
