Scotland: National Rural Network
There is still time to register for the EU Rural Cooperation Fair taking place in Edinburgh on 23rd and 24th September. This free event will be a great opportunity to share knowledge and experience with other people from rural Scotland and Europe.
You can now download an invitation, which includes details of the programme and a link to the booking form, from our documents library.
A new initiative to develop and promote Care Farming has been launched in the North of Scotland by children's charity Action for Children. The Care Farming Initiative aims to complete a feasibility study on the possibility of developing care farming as an option for young people in Moray, Highland and Aberdeenshire.
The Black Isle Brewery have won a prestigious Organic Food Award with their Yellowhammer Bitter. The beer was awarded the Beer and Cider prize and was described by judges as "special" and "fresh". Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall will hand out the awards at the Soil Association Organic Food Festival in Bristol on 11th September.
Scotland's Food and Drink Fortnight is just around the corner. From 4th - 19th September celebrations of Scottish produce will take place across the country.
Farmers and vets in Scotland are being asked for their views on the current system of disease surveillance. A review into Veterinary Surveillance is being carried out to establish if the current arrangements are fit for purpose.
This Saturday, 4th September, is Eat Scottish Venison Day 2010. Following a successful launch last year, the day will feature promotions, events, signature dishes, cooking schools and special menus from some of the UK's top restaurants and suppliers.
Scotland is currently in the process of switching over to digital TV. Many areas, including Shetland and Orkney and the Borders have already switched over.
However there are many parts of rural Scotland still to switch including those in the Durris, Knockmore, Rosemarkie, Torosay, Rosneath and Darvel, Craigkelly and Black Hill transmitter areas.
The digital television switchover for those served by the Knockmore transmitter is happening soon. The Knockmore transmitter serves an area around Knockmore, Craigellachie, Grantown, Aviemore and Kingussie.
Between now and 2012, analogue channels are being switched off region by region and replaced with free-to-air digital TV and radio services (Freeview).
Old and new buildings across the country will throw their doors open to thousands of visitors over four weekends in September. Highlights of the 20th Doors Open Days event include a lighthouse in Shetland designed by Robert Louis Stevenson's grandfather and a WW2 underground military bunker in Inverness.
As part of our regular Ask an Expert feature, we put your questions to our Village Halls panel of experts - Chrissy Boyd of Ullapool Village Hall, Philippa Wetton of Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service and Sandra Hogg of the Rural Team at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
