LINK Thinks

LINK Thinks is a space for members and others to express their views about Scotland’s environment. If you would like to contribute a blog please contact information@scotlink.org. The opinions expressed in this blog are the author's and not necessarily those of the wider LINK membership.

0710_LochSunart_CalumDuncanMCS-aspect-ratio-540-358

Vision for the future of Scotland’s aquaculture published

08 Aug 2023

Last month (July 2023) the Scottish Government released their Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, setting out its plans for how the industry should develop all the way to 2045. Aquaculture in Scotland is big business, adding £885 million to the economy in 2018. It is dominated by salmon farming which produced 205,393 tonnes of farmed Atlantic […]

20200709_181302572_iOS-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

An enforceable right to a healthy environment: Now is the time for Scotland to deliver

02 Aug 2023

By Benjamin Brown, Policy & Advocacy Officer at Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland From the sewage spilling into Scotland’s rivers and seas, to the toxic chemicals entering our food, our right to a healthy environment is being violated. We face a triple planetary emergency of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the pollution of our air, […]

Untitled-design1-aspect-ratio-540-358

Ocean recovery zones are vital to restoring our seas to health

25 Jul 2023

Scotland’s seas are amazing, and they matter to us all. Many people will be spending time on Scotland’s coasts this summer - rain or shine. Even just a day trip to the beach can feel like a little holiday, refreshing and replenishing us. That’s not all, of course. As anyone who watched the ocean episode of David Attenborough’s Wild Isles series will know, our seas are home to the most fantastic array of wildlife, much of which is hidden deep beneath the waves.

Winter-Light-E-Lomond-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Just transition: We must act now to save our landscapes and wildlife

13 Jun 2023

By LINK’s Chief Officer Deborah Long – first published in The National, 22nd May.  Scotland is a land of contrast. Contrasts in our landscapes, in our geography and weather patterns, our language, culture and our traditions. Scotland has world-leading access legislation ensuring that everyone, no matter who they are, can access and enjoy Scotland’s outdoors, […]

002-Perthshire-Red-c-Raymond-Leinster-2020-002-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Ensuring a future for our iconic red squirrel

18 May 2023

The red squirrel is a true emblem of the Scottish countryside. To catch a glimpse of fiery red fur flickering up a tree and out of sight is a rare treat for most of us. There are only 140,000 red squirrels left in the UK, and more than 75% of these reside in Scotland. Their […]

rhodi-bashing-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Saving Scotland’s Rainforest – approaches to the growing problem of invasive Rhododendron ponticum

17 May 2023

Rhododendron ponticum is one of the main threats to Scotland’s rainforest, alongside overgrazing by deer and sheep. An invasive non-native plant that is now well established in Scotland and the rest of the UK, it suppresses rainforest lichens and bryophytes, as well as the native trees which support them. The longer this issue is left […]

Desire-path-through-a-meadow-c-Matt-Pitts-Plantlife-aspect-ratio-540-358

Do your bit for biodiversity with Plantlife’s No Mow May

16 May 2023

We at Plantlife are encouraging more and more people to embrace wilder lawns and enjoy all the benefits that biodiversity has to offer with the No Mow May campaign. Officially launched in 2019, Plantlife’s No Mow May urges those of us with gardens to take a pause for the summer and put our mowers away, […]

OI000036-2021-07-16T14_35_17.460-scaled-aspect-ratio-540-358

Evidence Base Briefing on HPMAs

02 May 2023

Summary: There is a very strong global evidence base showing that Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) have a positive impact ecologically and can support the fishing industry. HPMAs, also known as marine reserves or no take zones, act as nurseries and refuges and as such benefit marine species and habitats both within the protected area […]

Photo-by-Shelby-Cohron-resized-aspect-ratio-540-358

Highly Protected Marine Areas – FAQs

07 Apr 2023

What are “Highly Protected Marine Areas” (HPMAs)?  Highly Protected Marine Areas are areas of the sea that are placed under strict protection to support ecosystem recovery and protect against climate change.  The Scottish Government has committed to giving a small proportion – just 10% – of our seas this strict protection. This is in line […]

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close