Science Saving Sea Trout
Education and raising awareness have always been regarded as a vital part of the WRFT's work programme. In 1997, WRFT won an award from the Millennium Commission to give a series of presentations under the project title "Science Saving Sea Trout". This project was a joint initiative with Scottish Government scientists at the Fisheries Research Services [now Marine Scotland] "Shieldaig Sea trout Project" and local primary schools. The first WRFT Biologist, Dr James Butler, subsequently gave talks to school pupils at schools throughout the WRFT area and beyond.
WRFT has continued to work closely with Marine Scotland's staff. The Marine Scotland Shieldaig Sea trout project visitor centre by Loch Torridon has a series of displays describing the life cycle and ecology of sea trout and research projects being carried out to support the recovery of local stocks.
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Malnourished salmon rivers? How important were salmon eggs as food for parr?
Presentation which considers the importance of salmon eggs as a food for pre-smolt salmon parr during the early winter. Is there a need to focus on ways of replacing this direct source of marine derived nutrition from adult salmon to juvenile salmon to help to mitigate for downward spiral of decline in numbers of adult salmon returning to oligotrophic rivers?. Posted: 01/05/2024 (7.42MB) -
Herring spawn found on maerl gravel ridges in March 2024 to NW of Gairloch
This report describes a herring spawning event and subsequent discovery of herring eggs on maerl gravel ridges on the seabed to the west of Aultgrishan and North Erradale in March 2024. The report is illustrated with photographs of the sea to show turquoise water areas when herring were spawning, and subsequently of the seabed with herring spawn. . Posted: 21/03/2024 (2.54MB) -
Juvenile salmon production and nutrition in Wester Ross 2023
This report summarises the results of the juvenile salmon survey in Wester Ross in summer and early autumn, 2023. The report focusses on contrasting the size and biomass of juvenile salmon at different sites. There was much variation in growth; some sites had high densities of larger parr; at other sites parr were small and thin. Important missing food items for parr at some sites may include caddis fly larvae, terrestrial insects, and surplus washed-out salmon eggs which in some rivers may have been of crucial importance for pre-smolt salmon parr. Is it time to provide supplementary food for juvenile salmon in some rivers? . Posted: 05/02/2024 (1.65MB) -
Wester Ross Bivalves
Presentation by Roger Mclachlan from the seashells workshop at Gairloch Museum on 2nd December 2023. This presentation provides an introduction to the identification of bivalve seashells most often found on local shores (a few others too). The last page of the presentation has links to sources of information to help with identification and recording. Please go to iSpot 'Bivalves of Wester Ross' project page to report any interesting finds. Good luck!. Posted: 04/12/2023 (5.37MB) -
Peatland nutrition, hummock formation and carbon sequestration poster
This poster is based on observation in peatland areas of Wester Ross and shows how mossy hummocks may be formed by birds and other animals which deposit droppings rich in phosphate which fertilise the vegetation. What are the optimum levels of ecosystem-derived organic phosphate to support biodiversity and carbon sequestration in peatland areas? Poster by Peter Cunningham, prepared for the WRFT Catchment Vegetation Revival Workshop at Beinn Eighe NNR and Kinlochewe, 25th and 26th April 2023 . Posted: 02/05/2023 (546KB) -
Leave the land better than we found it discussion notes 26 April 2023
Notes from discussion group on theme of 'how do we leave the land better than we found it?' at the Catchment Vegetation Workshop at Kinlochewe on 26th April 2023 . Posted: 02/05/2023 (219KB) -
Mycorrhiza discussion group notes 26 April 2023
Notes from mycorrhiza discussion group at Catchment Vegetation Workshop at Kinlochewe on on 26th April 2023 . Posted: 02/05/2023 (332KB) -
Rough guide to deer stalking by Alasdair Macdonald
This presentation by Alasdair Macdonald of Dundonnell estate discusses deer stalking and explains why some red deer carcasses may be left on the hill. Animals which are in poor condition and not fit for human consumption may be left on the hill for nutrient to be recycled. Bones and antlers are rich in valuable nutrients so best left on the hill. However once taken off the hill, regulations restrict the return of bones back on to the hill. . Posted: 02/05/2023 (1.26MB) -
Glen Torridon Partnership: a landscape-scale Nature Restoration Project by Malcolm Turner
Presentation by Malcolm Turner, of the Woodland Trust, about a pioneering landscape-scale approach to long term habitat restoration in the Glen Torridon area, using nature-based solutions with neighbouring landowners and local communities to create habitats that are resilient to climate change and where biodiversity can flourish. Issues include the need to protect and restore fragments of rainforest, including spread of invasive Rhododendron ponticum, monitoring or red deer and prevention of wild fires. Presented at Catchment Vegetation workshop, Kinlochewe 26th April 2023. Posted: 02/05/2023 (3.20MB) -
Affric Highland Initiative by Paul Greaves
Presentation by Paul Greaves from Trees for Life about 30-year project to scale up nature restoration for the future in support of local communities and businesses. With much background information describing the project area, the objectives, the people with whom the project works and the ways in which trees can be incorporated into the landscape with support from Trees for Life. Presented at Catchment Vegetation workshop, Kinlochewe 26th April 2023 . Posted: 02/05/2023 (9.08MB) -
Peatland restoration routes to success by Colin Morrison
Presentation by Colin Morrison of Angus Davidson Ltd. focussing on issues and challenges faced in degraded peatland areas, the Peatland Action process, and outcomes for carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Colin has much experience of developing and managing peatland restoration projects in the Wester Ross area and this presentation provides a very useful introduction to why, where and how. Presented at Catchment Vegetation workshop, Kinlochewe 26th April 2023. Posted: 02/05/2023 (1.88MB) -
Catchment vegetation, hummocks and wild salmon habitat resilience
Presentation by Peter Cunningham about project to protect salmon habitat in the Ullapool River focussing on restoration of vegetation and ecosystem fertility in the upper catchment (Glen Douchary) with examples of hummocks from other parts of Wester Ross and poster. From Catchment Vegetation Revival Workshop, Kinlochewe 26th April 2023. Posted: 02/05/2023 (23.52MB) -
Little Loch Broom BRUV Surveys 2022
Presentation by Dr Neil Hopkins and Dr Charlotte Hopkins describing animal movements in relation to seascapes and underwater habitats from baited underwater remote video survey of Gruinard Bay and Little Loch Broom in 2022, shown at Wester Ross MPA Discovery Day on 14th October 2022. Screenshots have been taken from video clips presented to illustrate animal diversity recorded. . Posted: 08/11/2022 (1.47MB) -
Herring Fisheries & West of Scotland Herring Hunt
Presentation by Dr Michelle Frost at the Wester Ross MPA Discovery Day in Ullapool on 14th October 2022. . Posted: 08/11/2022 (4.47MB) -
Loch Maree Wild Trout population structure: first look by Vu Dang
Summary of the main findings of a genetic study of wild trout diversity in and around the Loch Maree catchment area with suggestions for conservation management by V Dang (MScRes. student) of Middlesex University. Posted: 28/05/2019 (3.61MB) -
Spring spawning herring recorded on video to west of Red Point
This article describes some of the events during March 2019 when Andy Jackson of SubseaTV was able to record on video herring spawning near Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross. The video was broadcast on BBC Blue Planet UK on 29th March 2019. . Posted: 29/03/2019 (1.04MB) -
Ecosystem fertility and (wild)life production in Wester Ross
Presentation given at Assynt Field Club meeting at Lochinver on 17th November 2016. After providing an explanation of ‘ecosystem fertility’, the presentation considers long term changes in ecosystem fertility: at Beinn Eighe NNR; of grazing areas around crofting townships; and of large areas of land managed for red deer. The presentation focuses on the need to develop practices that conserve and replenish phosphorus within Wester Ross. Opportunities for trials and demonstration projects to raise awareness of the importance of ecosystem nutrition and the need for managing fertility could be taken forward in collaboration with the Wester Ross Biosphere. . Posted: 18/11/2016 (25.30MB) -
Award for Educational Projects
WRFT has received an award, from the Highland Council, for its educational projects in both primary and secondary schools in Wester Ross. Posted: 29/12/2010 (569KB)