Welcome to the Scottish Countryside Alliance website
 The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) represents the vital interests of rural communities and businesses across Scotland.
It is important that these interests be represented at the highest levels in the Scottish Parliament and elsewhere.
If you believe in a managed countryside for the benefit of many and not for the few then you will want to support the work of the SCA.
Scottish winner at UK 'Rural Oscars'
The most southerly cinema in Scotland, situated on the isolated Isle of Whithorn in Dumfries, has won the prestigious UK Best Rural Enterprise Award, made by the Countryside Alliance. Machars Movies serves a population of 300 and provides an all-purpose venue with an 80-seat cinema. It is a self-funding venture supported by members and 80 volunteers. Read more.
New Snaring Order
The Scottish Government has introduced new laws under the Snares (Scotland) Order 2010 which will come into force on 11 March. The Order gives clear-cut and up-to-date rules on the legal use of
snares. Anyone who sets snares in Scotland should read the Order (email info@scottishcountrysidealliance.org for a copy).
The Order states that, when set, all snares must be checked at least once every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours, to make sure that they are free-running. It also states that snares must be fitted with a safety stop to suit the intended target species, must be fixed to prevent dragging and must also be set in locations where the target species can be safely restrained.
Ross Montague of the SCA commented, “whilst the Order is new, the good practice that it contains simply underlines what responsible sna ring practitioners are already doing out in the field.”
Snaring Training Courses
New best practice training courses have been developed by BASC Scotland, the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association and the Game and Wil dlife Conservation Trust. The courses take about half of a day, and cost £45. For more information and to book, please contact BASC Scotland 01350 723226.
Cold Weather Wildfowling Restrictions
The temporary ban on the taking of wildfowl and wader quarry species was lifted at 0:01 on Tuesday 19th January. The SCA would, however, urge all of our members to show voluntary restraint in the shooting of wildfowl and waders especially in areas where water is still frozen or there is still significant snow cover.
New PAW Scotland Website
The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (Scotland), PAWS, has a new website.
The SCA is a proud and active partner of PAWS, and we would encourage our members to make use of this new website at:
www.paw.scotland.gov.uk
New research underlines benefits of grouse shooting
New and independent research underlines the social and economic benefit that grouse shooting brings to Scotland. During a comprehensive study of attitudes in one Scottish community where shooting is hosted, it was shown that the sport brings jobs and other positive economic impacts. The research reveals widespread understanding and support of grouse shooting and its benefits.
To read more, please click here.
Want to help rural communities? Then join us today, online!
You can join the Alliance from as little as £20 per year with special rates for electronic members. We offer discounted rates for group & trade members. As well as keeping up with all the current countryside news, belonging to one of the UK's leading countryside lobbying organisation, all membership categories come with extensive insurance benefits. Join online today by clicking here.
To view all the benefits linked to the Alliance membership, click here
Want to know more about the Scottish Moorlands?
Then why not visit a new educational website set up by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust? It is a guide to the most authoritative and up to date information on Scotland’s moorland. This site is for students and teachers, for journalists and policy makers –
for anyone who cares about Scotland’s moorlands. Click on the logo.
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