All News

Potato conference seeks to boost growers’ confidence amid global challenges

The ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine and the pressure of reducing carbon footprints will be on the agenda when Scotland’s biggest potato conference returns in the new year.…

SRUC
19/12/2022

Pine needles offer key energy solution

A real Christmas tree is the centrepiece of many households’ festive decorations but apart from filling the room with a woody fragrance, pine needles have a key role to play in addressing challenges relating to energy.…

SRUC
15/12/2022

Agriculture Bill provides just transition opportunity, but only if we embrace innovation

I see opportunity, particularly for rapid growth in our natural economy – but only if we take steps to act quickly, decisively and with ambition.…

Prof Wayne Powell, Principal and CEO, SRUC
13/12/2022

Free legal advice for enterprising students

Students at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will be offered free legal support to progress business ideas as part of a new partnership with one of Scotland’s largest independent law firms.…

SRUC
12/12/2022

Supporting Scotland’s crofting communities

In all the crofting counties, SAC Consulting has a team of local, independent advisors who are well versed in the many aspects of crofting – and there are, indeed, many. Our aim in supporting this vital aspect of agriculture in Scotland is to strengthen and progress modern crofting and give crofters the advice and knowledge that will ensure that they can thrive. …

Siobhan Macdonald
09/12/2022

Diversification guide outlines steps to starting a new business

SAC Consulting – part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has created a Land-based tourism toolkit outlining different types of businesses, recommended skills and relevant course providers. The toolkit, which was funded by the University Innovation Fund, is divided into six sections which can be downloaded for free from SRUC’s website.…

SRUC
08/12/2022

Drones take carbon project to next level

Environmental specialists at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), are using drone-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors to estimate above-ground carbon storage in hedges and trees.…

SRUC
06/12/2022

Breathing life back into Scotland’s neglected crofts

SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, has recognised that legislation surrounding crofting is presenting barriers to succession planning and the team has been helping individuals to better understand their options, to maximise the potential of their croft and to support the next generation get a foot hold in the industry.…

SRUC
05/12/2022

Research to unlock the potential of edible insects

With edible insects being hailed as a sustainable source of high protein food, researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have been awarded more than £10k to develop a strategy for using them in animal feed.…

SRUC
05/12/2022

SRUC Alliance for the Natural Economy Forum

In this blog piece by Dr Susannah Bolton, she reflects on a dinner held at Scotland House, in the City of London, where SRUC convened a group of people to discuss what a “just transition to a natural economy” really means.…

Dr Susannah Bolton
01/12/2022

Edible insects: the low carbon snack with big potential

In this blog post, Dr Pattanapong Tiwasing, a researcher at our Rural Policy Centre, highlights the benefits edible insects can bring to our sustainability goals. He also delves into the current status of the insect sector in the UK and beyond, urging policymakers to take action to enable it to survive.…

SRUC
30/11/2022

Increase in Skye’s corncrake numbers bucks Scotland-wide trend

An annual survey of corncrakes in Scotland recorded an increase in the number of calling males on Skye - despite a three per cent reduction overall in Scotland. …

SRUC
30/11/2022