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I can’t improve on the headline from ‘news.co.uk. They report on research done by Leeds and Cardiff Universities making this astounding claim:
‘Mythical creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland and the Icelandic elves can help with the conservation of the real animals that live next to them, a new study finds. Researchers from Leeds and Cardiff universities found that the conservation of threatened species has much to gain from acknowledging people’s spiritual, magical and cultural beliefs, a new study suggests. It finds that mythical creatures can act as ‘invisible umbrella’ species, protecting non-magical creatures occupying shared habitats. The report noted that in 2015, 350,000 people visited a thriving ecotourist site in Scotland because it is inhabited by a rare, endemic animal – the Loch Ness Monster.’
I can honestly say that I have never knowingly visited an ecotourist site and I have been to a few, because of Nessie. What non-magical creatures in Loch Ness are sheltering under Nessie’s ‘umbrella’? Hoover, who am I to contradict the research.
Also, why was no Scottish University involved. Too busy doing something less likely to attract ridicule?
https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/environment/national-park-privatisation-row-sells-woodlands/
Talking-up Scotland 
If Leeds and Cardiff Universities really think they are mythical creatures, why do they suggest that real animals live next to them and have a shared habitat?
Unless, of course, their research has led them to the conclusion that we already know to be true;)
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Good point. Hadn’t noticed that.
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Mythical creatures! Hah, stuff and nonsense. (Quite and exactly Clydebuilt – well spotted)
John,,, see that link you posted? Was meant to have anything to do with the article? I was curious to know what departments were working on this research… If I had the money I’d buy a bit of woodland in the Peak District though.
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The link was just the one for the mythical monsters too
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Aha, it was the fairies that done it, of course 🙂
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Well. Well. Lookee here, this is one way to curry favour with the BBC, announce some funding for their favourite subject…
Well, BBC news is certainly being respectful here, and they are keen to announce ‘good news’ e.g.
“The plan has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said the Scottish government would provide backing worth £475,000.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-41038748
Then
“BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon said: “BBC Scotland already has an excellent track record in helping to create the broadcasting stars of the future through our various apprenticeship and training projects, so hosting the NFTS in our Glasgow HQ will build on that.”
An excellent track record eh? Wonder who those folks are, my wee sister had to move to London to get work in tv, they cut back so much on making shows here, this is complete twaddle.
But also note, at no point do they mention ‘SNP’ throughout the whole article. Passive-aggressive association of names? I don’t know if this is normal in BBC online news, certainly is on the radio.
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Thanks, well-spotted absence. No surprise. Don’t suppose Nicola will complain as she doesn’t like the party name either,
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The MSM monstering (of mystical nature) of the SNP seems to be working well. I know I know, loads of people have all sorts of reasons for disliking SNP and Nicola Sturgeon, and everyone has a right to do so, but it’s really hard to see where the dislike comes from, has it been influenced by the media declaring they are never good enough, constantly, or just personal objection to methods and people? The more I hear criticism, the more I worry about the SNP status as a means to an end – we may not have the means soon enough if it continues. Because they are not taking action soon enough? Because they are not doing things the way we want it to be done? Definitely need a separation between the political party and the yes movement, SNP being the sole focus is wrong, they are doing the politics, we should be doing the campaigning, and the blame shifts focus.
But I always like to question my own opinions, imagine if something was reported differently, would I form a different opinion? If Nicola Sturgeon got the same style of coverage as say Ruth or Theresa, would my opinion be different – I say yes, and adopt the contrary opinion.
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Here is the link to Ruchard Murphy’s musing on the Problem With GERS that Ludo alluded to lately (is that nearly an alliteration there?!), I found it quite revealing, and the comments are quite good:
http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2017/08/25/gers-is-this-why-it-always-says-the-scottish-deficit-is-so-large/
Mystical beasts for real when you think about the GERS methodology.
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Thanks for this Ludoalludinglink
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Mythical? Whit! BBC “Scotland” is more of a mythical creature.
Some 25-30 years ago, my wife and I were taking a young French girl, whose family we knew, round Scotland ( her great or great great granny came from here). We stopped at Loch Ness, and within minutes we saw a wake travelling up the loch at the far side, about 50 yards out from the bank. It was going at a fair old pace, and whatever was causing it was underwater. This was a V shaped wake, not a wider wind ripple. I have no idea what caused it, I am not a believer in monsters, but there it is. Certainly not mythical, whatever it was.
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Yes, that bit about BBC Scotland made me laugh, thanks. I’ve been at Loch Ness only once or twice. Haven’t seen anything. It’s so deep who knows?
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