Learn with The Bailies

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The Bailies of Bennachie want to help inspire young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor environment.

There’s so much out there to explore and enjoy, and Bennachie’s friendly giant, Jock o' Bennachie will help guide you as we look at the incredible biodiversity, history and landscape of the Aberdeenshire area.

We have our Spring Programme and Summer Programme and Autumn Programme, Winter Programme, lists of useful Activities and Resources available.

if you can not find what you are look for using our Search feature please Contact Us and we will try to help you.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

Moths and Caterpillars

Jock has a real soft spot for his fluttery pals, the moths. He feels that sometimes folks can overlook them in favour of their more colourful cousins, the butterflies.

Summer Programme

The Bailies have created some fun nature activities that you can participate in over the summer holidays.

All About Spring

The Bailies of Bennachie want to help inspire young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor environment

Let's Make Bennachie Litter Free!

Jock o' Bennachie is hopping mad with what SOME of us humans are doing to his precious hill and the wildlife he looks after on it! He hasn’t been this worried and angry since the days when Jock o' Noth stole his girlfriend!! He is stomping about Bennachie shouting, “THIS MUST STOP!”

All About Winter

Jock o' Bennachie has lots to tell you about what’s going on in winter! Find out about when Winter begins and just what is the Winter Solstice and the Winter changes on Bennachie.

Winter Wildllife

Learn more about the Winter Wildlife on Bennachie and the surrounding areas.

Becoming A Winter Nature Detective

Although wintery forests and woodland can seem quiet, in fact lots of animal activity will be going on all around you.

Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team

Many people are surprised to discover that there is a Mountain Rescue Team based in Aberdeen.

Winter Activities

Jock o' Bennachie has loads of fun winter activities for you to enjoy so start exploring!

Autumn Programme

Autumn starts in September. Browser on online information about Autumn and how animals cope with the colder conditions.

About Autumn

Autumn starts in September, when Jock o' Bennachie notices that daylight gets shorter, and it gets colder and wetter.

Birds in Autumn

Learn more about birds in Autumn.

Feeding Birds in Autumn

Give your birds a helping hand by feeding them in Autumn is important.

Autumn Fruits, Berries and Seeds

The Bailies of Bennachie want to help inspire young people to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor environment

Autumn Minibeasts

When the weather gets colder, Jock knows that his Minibeast pals will be getting ready for winter. They have different ideas about what to do.

Autumn Activities

Jock o' Bennachie has loads of fun autumn activities for you to enjoy!

Birds

Jock knows heaps about birds and he’s got lots of fun facts about them. Help yourself to find out as much as you want about his feathered friends!

Things That Grow

Jock o' Bennachie welcomes you to 'Things that Grow' with lots of fun and exciting activities to do outside or inside, things to grow or make.

Minibeasts and Pollinators

A minibeast is really just a small animal. Learn more about them and why they matter.

Jock o' Bennachie

Folklore has it that long long ago, Bennachie was guarded by a huge giant called Jock o' Bennachie. Learn more about Jock in this section.

Watch

These are collection of interesting videos that we have collected for you, including some that the Bailies have recorded on Bennachie ourselves.

Resources

Our resource library (primarily aimed at Primary School children) has grown rapidly and we welcome new suggestions.

Competition

We will be holding regular competitions and you are very welcome to enter.

I have a lifelong interest in all aspects of nature and land use, with particular emphasis on plants and birds. I have a degree in Botany/Zoology with ecology and a PhD in peatland ecology. I have had the privilege of working in statutory nature conservation bodies, the Nature Conservancy Council and its Scottish successor body, Scottish Natural Heritage for 30 years dealing with land management, outdoor recreation and planning issues related to statutory nature conservation sites and protected species. Since then, I have been active with the Bailies as a member of the Bennachie Wildlife Group. When this was established in 2016, I led a 6-session plant identification programme helping people to understand how to look for the features that distinguish various species growing in the area, so that they gain confidence in plant identification for themselves. Using the same approach in principle, I also lead walks looking at the plants of the moorland, woodlands, blanket bogs and fen habitats of Bennachie, and their relationship with past and present land uses on the hill. I also lead week long wildflower holidays for the Aigas field centre in the Highlands, focusing on how to identify plants, their habitats and ecology. Listening out for birds and drawing attention to them always features as part of my walks.

I am actively involved with a steering group on behalf of the Bailies developing plans to promote management of the habitats and species of the Bennachie area. When finalised, after consultation with the various interested parties, including landowners, these will be used to promote and undertake practical management to enhance the wildlife and habitat value of the hill and make them more resilient to climate change.

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Learn with The Bailies

Peter Stock

Trustee & Office Bearer

Allan Will

Trustee & Office Bearer

Alan Henderson

Trustee & Office Bearer

David Bale

Trustee

Lorna Bell

Trustee

David Caney

Trustee

Alex Doig

Trustee

Emma Forsyth

Trustee

Ken Gillan

Trustee

Anne Watson

Trustee

Stella Gauld

Trustee & Office Bearer

Karen Noble

Support Team

Hugh Fraser

Support Team