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MCS: Conserving Scotland's Marine Life

A recent call by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) for measures to protect habitats supporting Scotland's marine animals received a great deal of public support through the charity's new Sea Champions volunteering initiative. Up to 3,750 pledges of support from the public for thirty-three Marine Protected Areas were gathered and later handed over to the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead. The proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPA) have been identified as 'safe havens' for sea life, offering protection from what has been defined as 'damaging activities' by humans, with littering being an enormous problem.

The Marine Conservation Society is a UK charity working to save threatened sea life and conserve the habitats they depend on. The society's stated vision is to work toward creating seas that are "fit for wildlife to thrive in and for people to enjoy" and that the seas should be in a state to "support future generations with abundant resources". Initially active as the Underwater Conservation Society in 1977, the society took on the name of Marine Conservation Society in 1983 and is registered with the Charity Commission. The MCS involves eco-conscious members of the public in various projects, such as cleaning up the beaches, as well as appealing to the public to report situations that need the attention of the society, for example if they spot sewerage overflows or marine animals in distress. Everybody can play a role in cleaning up the coastline by not littering and picking up litter left by others, as well as avoiding the use of plastic in favor of paper wherever possible.

Among the Marine Protected Areas being proposed in Scotland, by both the MCS and the Scottish government, are Loch Fyne, Loch Sunart, Loch Sween, Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Beg. MCS Scotland program manager, Calum Duncan noted that Scotland has some unique marine life, including flameshell beds, coral gardens, sea lochs, fireworks anemones, sea pen parks, and deepsea sponge fields, which may be lost if steps aren't taken to provide better protection. The public can continue pledging their support for Marine Protected Areas on the Marine Conservation Society's website.

Explore Benbecula in Scotland's Outer Hebrides

Located between the islands of South Uist and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, the island of Benbecula is an interesting option for travelers who enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations. It has been suggested that the name of the island means "little mountain of the ford", and although the highest elevation on the island is measured at only 124 meters, making the "mountain" part of the name a bit of a mystery, the reason for the "ford" reference is immediately apparent. While in days gone by crossing the fords between Benbecula and either of its neighbours was a somewhat risky endeavor, today there are sturdy causeways linking the islands.

Edinburgh's Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Housed in an historic red sandstone building designed by Scottish architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery was established in 1882, moving into the newly completed building on Queen Street, Edinburgh, in 1889, thereby becoming the first gallery in the world to be built exclusively for the purpose of displaying portraits. The building itself was generously donated by philanthropist and owner of The Scotsman newspaper, John Ritchie Findlay. Today the gallery offers visitors the opportunity to view Scotland's history through the works of Scottish and international artists who captured the influential figures of the day on canvas.