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Thrill of The Hill – Beyond the Hedgerow: Biodiversity Auditing in Scotland

Posted: Thursday, 20 August 2026

Biodiversity auditing has become part of the Scottish Governments Whole Farm Plan and discussions around nature conservation are becoming commonplace around the farm table. In today’s episode Alex is joined by senior ecologist Dr Lorna Cole for a broad discussion on the state of Scotlands Nature and where biodiversity auditing fits into the bigger ambitions for nature restoration. Lorna also puts Alex in the hot seat to talk about levels of farmer agreement with habitat classifications.

This episode is brought to you by the Farm Advisory Service, presented by Alexander Pirie, produced by Heather Stuart, edited by Kieron Sim, with executive producers Kirstyn Blackwood and Kerry Hammond.

Timestamps

01.48 Introducing Dr Lorna Cole

02.36 Current state of nature in Scotland

07.19 How significant is agricultural land in combating biodiversity decline

13.24 Biodiversity auditing

19.40 Completing your habitat map

23.54 Alex – level of agreement between farmers and consultants in regard to habitat identification for the Whole Farm Plan

29.37 NatureScot Farm Biodiversity Scotland App

34.30 Submitting your biodiversity audit

36.28 Biodiversity audit – where to start

40.22 The value in Biodiversity Auditing

43.05 An opportunity to demonstrate the contribution agriculture is already making to nature