The Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group

About Us

BSCG Logo

The objectives of the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group are to stimulate public interest in, and care for, the beauty, history and character of Badenoch & Strathspey; to encourage active conservation of the area through wise use; to encourage high standards of planning and architecture in harmony with the environment.

Registered as a Scottish Charity SC003846.

BSCG Flickr

See our photos on our Flickr.

BSCG Twitter/X

BSCG Twitter/X

Cairngorms NP IUCN Category

IUCN Protected Area Management Categories classify protected areas according to their management objectives. The Cairngorms National Park was designated in 2003 the IUCN Protected Areas Category: 5 - Protected landscape (sustainable development area).

Public Talk Rescuing Rare Cairngorms Invertebrates

Public Talk, All Welcome: Rescuing Rare Cairngorms Invertebrates by Georgina Lindsay, Conservation Manager, Highland Wildlife Park, RZSS.

Thursday March 12th 7.30pm

Hosted by Cairngorms Campaign & Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group.

In Person: The Hub, 2 High St, Grantown on Spey, PH26 3HB   

Online:  See links below.

Free Donations welcome. Further info phone  079177 60386 

Note that there are two links. The first is from 7.30-8.15 and the second from 8.15 - 9.00.

Topic: Cairngorms Talk 7.30-8.15
Time: Mar 12, 2026 07:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76143786471?pwd=m1MJbczbaNS7bsYQpBhfa7I9DXaBiN.1

Meeting ID: 761 4378 6471
Passcode: ju6SGs
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Topic: Cairngorms Talk 8.15-9.00
Time: Mar 12, 2026 08:15 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75222363698?pwd=bpZNiK9JSzqmiODZ15H5WbVFlYzzeH.1

Meeting ID: 752 2236 3698
Passcode: DELfQ0

Protect the wildlife of Loch Ness and Loch Kemp

Loch Ness in the Highlands is known around the world for its beauty and legends, with its waters and surrounding habitats supporting a wealth of wildlife. However, proposals for a new Pumped Storage Hydro development would result in the destruction of ancient woodland and harmful impacts on the freshwater ecology of Loch Ness. Wildlife groups are seeking help to cover the costs of the legal advice and expertise needed to challenge the scheme.

We are encouraging everyone to contribute towards this crowdfunder at:  Protect the wildlife of Loch Ness and Loch Kemp

Wildlife impacted would include the Endangered Atlantic Salmon, Critically Endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Critically Endangered European Eel, and an array of freshwater invertebrates on which many species depend. The ancient woodland is home to internationally important lichen communities, including the second largest British population of Nevesia sampaiana, while these rich lichen assemblages in turn provide suitable habitat for invertebrates, such as the Nationally Rare and superbly camouflaged Lichen Running Spider (Philodromus margaritatus). All of this alongside Otters and Red Squirrels.

50th Anniversary AGM Sunday 2nd November, Nethybridge Community Hall

Members and past members are invited to the 50th Anniversary AGM on Sunday, 2nd November, Nethybridge Community Hall, noon - 3pm. 

A light lunch will be provided.

This year is BSCG's 50th anniversary, and we hope you will be able to join in the celebrations and hear about some of the achievements of the Conservation Group since its first meeting in 1975, as well as our activities addressing current issues

 

Blaeberry Bumblebee
Blaeberry Bumblebee

Blaeberry Bumblebee

Flowering  willows and Gorse are important for many insects around this time of year, including bees and hoverflies. As Well as flowers of blaeberry (or bilberry) queens of the Mountain or Blaeberry Bumblebee are one of the easiest Bumblebees to distinguish.

An article in Mountain Views the Spring Summer 2025  newsletter of the North East Mountain Trust  (Bumblebee-bagging in the Cairngorms by Annie Ives (Project Officer: Skills for Bees (Scotland)  for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust) features this bumblebee. It describes Bombus monticola as "very distinctive and easy to recognise". Anyone visiting Munros & Corbetts that lack recent records can become involved in contributing records and can find more information at: www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-bagging

BSCG has long been involved in recording Bumblebees, including at An Camas Mor, where this queen was recently photographed visiting Gorse flowers, along with other insects, including various solitary bees, hoverflies and colourful Green Hairstreak butterflies.

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