Steven McKenzie

Scotland Highlands and Islands Reporter at BBC

News and analysis from the Highlands and Islands from BBC Scotland. Updated by Steven McKenzie, BBC online reporter.

Articles

Mars rover technology tested out on West Highland rocks

3 days ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Mars rover technology tested out on Highland rocksSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterGetty ImagesLower Diabaig is a small community on the West Highland coastTechnology which will be used in the search for evidence of life on Mars has been tested in the Scottish Highlands. The European Space Agency (ESA) plans to send a robotic rover to the Red Planet to study its geology - and look for fossils and minerals.
Warning after walkers become sick from drinking river water

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Steven McKenzie

Some walkers tackling the West Highland Way have become unwell after drinking water from rivers, according to National Trust for Scotland (NTS) rangers. They said at least nine hikers had suffered vomiting and diarrhoea while walking the popular long-distance route over the past month. The rangers said the people had drunk water from rivers near Balmaha, a village on the shores of Loch Lomond.
West Highland Way walkers become ill after drinking from stream

6 days ago | bbc.co.uk | Steven McKenzie

Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterSome walkers tackling the West Highland Way have become unwell after drinking water from rivers, according to National Trust for Scotland (NTS) rangers. They said at least nine hikers had suffered vomiting and diarrhoea while walking the popular long-distance route over the past month. The rangers said the people had drunk water from rivers near Balmaha, a village on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Wanted: Evidence of rare oily-kneed beetles

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Steven McKenzie

Image source, Sally MorrisBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterKeen-eyed wildlife watchers are being asked to look out for a rare parasitic insect with an unusual lifecycle. The larvae of the Short-Necked Oil Beetles lurk among flowers waiting for a passing bee to carry them back to its nest, where they feed on all the pollen the bee has collected.
Wanted: Evidence of rare oily-kneed beetles

1 week ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Wanted: Evidence of rare oily-kneed beetles Steven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterSally MorrisKeen-eyed wildlife watchers are being asked to look out for a rare parasitic insect with an unusual lifecycle. The larvae of the Short-Necked Oil Beetles lurk among flowers waiting for a passing bee to carry them back to its nest, where they feed on all the pollen the bee has collected.
Wanted: Evidence of rare oily-kneed beetles

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Steven McKenzie

Keen-eyed wildlife watchers are being asked to look out for a rare parasitic insect with an unusual lifecycle. The larvae of the Short-Necked Oil Beetles lurk among flowers waiting for a passing bee to carry them back to its nest, where they feed on all the pollen the bee has collected. The species' name comes from the stubby shape of the adult beetles and their habit of secreting an oily yellow-orange substance from their knee joints when alarmed.
Doctor paralysed in Inverness bike crash wins £4.5m settlement

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Steven McKenzie

Image source, Dr Daniel GordonImage caption, Dr Daniel Gordon has taken up hand cycling following his crash in 2020BBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterA doctor left paralysed from the waist down after the front forks of his new bike broke in half has won a £4.5m settlement. Dr Daniel Gordon was travelling at about 15mph on a grassy slope in Inverness when the bike components failed and he crashed.
Doctor paralysed in Inverness bike crash wins £4.5m settlement

1 week ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

Doctor paralysed in bike crash wins £4.5m settlementSteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterDr Daniel GordonDr Daniel Gordon has taken up hand cycling following his crash in 2020A doctor left paralysed from the waist down after the front forks of his new bike broke in half has won a £4.5m settlement. Dr Daniel Gordon was travelling at about 15mph on a grassy slope in Inverness when the bike components failed and he crashed.
How a family devastated by cancer thanked community of Nairn

1 week ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

How a family devastated by cancer thanked their communitySteven McKenzieBBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporterSam HeyEight-year-old Hamish with his sister Lily and parents Sam and SusanWhen eight-year-old Hamish Hey died from cancer his family were devastated. They could have been overwhelmed when the disease took his mum just three years later.
UHI Perth exploring options to safeguard its future

1 week ago | bbc.com | Steven McKenzie

UHI Perth exploring options to safeguard its futureSteven McKenzieGetty ImagesThe college said provision of higher and further education remained central to its workBosses at a University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) college say they are exploring a "range of strategic options" to safeguard its long-term stability and success. The college told BBC Scotland News it was operating within an increasingly challenging financial environment due to rising costs.