0:00:18 > 0:00:21Hello and a very warm welcome to Landward.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22I am here in the Forth Valley,
0:00:22 > 0:00:27enjoying some cycling now that spring has well and truly sprung.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30This week I'm on my bike, to find out about a campaign to provide
0:00:30 > 0:00:33better protection for cyclists on our roads.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Also on the programme, Sarah explores one of the most
0:00:37 > 0:00:40mysterious diseases in the animal kingdom.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43It is really not easy to detect, actually.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48Euan meets the farmers having a nosy round their neighbours' businesses.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52And we're on the road with an aspiring Commonwealth Games athlete.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01But first, the joys of spring are all around,
0:01:01 > 0:01:05and some of the signs are earlier than you might expect.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Euan is in Perthshire to see what's flowering,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10and what that can tell us about our climate.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Carpets of bluebells transform many of Scotland's
0:01:18 > 0:01:21woods into magical places at this time of year.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And they are a marker that spring has arrived.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28This year, our bluebells have arrived very early.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29But the actual date
0:01:29 > 0:01:33when an individual species makes an appearance can tell us a lot
0:01:33 > 0:01:36about the wider picture, and there's quite a lot of science involved.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- Good morning. How do you do? - How are you?
0:01:43 > 0:01:45The garden is looking lovely, isn't it?
0:01:45 > 0:01:48'I'm on the south side of Loch Tay to meet Mervyn Brown,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'a farmer who records nature's changes every year.'
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Let's go into the forest, see some bluebells.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16We're here to look for signs of spring.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19We are going down to a bluebell wood, just down there.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- But this is a perfect example, isn't it, of that old rhyme?- Yes, indeed.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25So what have we got? We have the oak.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27What is the rhyme, in the first place?
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Oak before ash You're going to get a splash
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Ash before oak You'll surely get a soak.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And uniquely, we have got an oak tree and we have got an ash tree.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- So which one come first? - The oak, definitely, this year.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- So we'll get a splash? - That's what they tell us,
0:02:41 > 0:02:42but it doesn't always hold true.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48Mervyn, like many others,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51keeps a record of the times that various events occur.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54It's a branch of science called phenology, and it's not new.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00In 1736, a Norfolk landowner called Robert Marsham began recording
0:03:00 > 0:03:03the first occurrences of seasonal events.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08He called them his indications of spring, and documented weather,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12temperatures, tree foliation, crop progress and migrating birds.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- It's beautiful, isn't it? - It is. Lovely place.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24An absolute carpet of bluebells as well.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27They're a wee bit later than most of them because of the shade here.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31You spend a lot of your time documenting. Let's go for a wander.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35You document the changing seasons, the different species.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40- Yes, coming and going.- A wood sorrel, as well.- Wood sorrel, yeah.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- All sorts of funny things here. - Fantastic taste.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- So what other things do you keep track of?- Migrants.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Swallows, swifts, all the small birds.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Curlews, peewits, which are getting scarcer, oystercatchers.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- Anything that we see here. - What about cuckoos?
0:03:58 > 0:03:59- We heard a cuckoo earlier. - Yes, cuckoo.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01At one time I could stand here
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- and hear five cuckoos going at once. - We heard one earlier.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09You will hear one and it will stay a much shorter period than
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- it used to.- Lovely wee rhyme about the oak and the ash earlier on.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- There is a nice one about the cuckoo. - Oh, yes.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18In April, come he will
0:04:18 > 0:04:21In June, he changed his tune
0:04:21 > 0:04:22In July, he prepares to fly
0:04:22 > 0:04:25In August, go he must.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28You have seen this, you have been doing it for a long time.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- Are you seeing changes?- Oh, yes.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37The main question in the past 10, 15 years has been climate change.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Earlier blooming, earlier external migrants, earlier leaving
0:04:40 > 0:04:45in autumn of migrants, earlier fading of flowers and leaves.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58Like Mervyn, almost 50,000 people across the UK are actively involved
0:04:58 > 0:05:03in monitoring the seasons and gathering this important information.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05But the Woodland Trust would like even more willing volunteers
0:05:05 > 0:05:09to get out in the fields and forests, and do their bit.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Rory Syme of the Woodland Trust explains.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20The Woodland Trust runs a project called Nature's Calendar and it is
0:05:20 > 0:05:24a UK wide citizen science programme,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27basically encouraging people to get out into their local woodlands, to
0:05:27 > 0:05:32get out into the fields and record all the signs of spring and autumn.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35There's a series of records that stretches back nearly 400 years,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38and it is really important that we keep that continuation.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Obviously, the more recorders we have the better picture
0:05:41 > 0:05:44we can average out across the UK.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Is there a specific species of plant that are affected more than others?
0:05:47 > 0:05:50You have this hawthorn here. May flowers, is that right?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53It traditionally flowered in May, but now it doesn't.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55As you say, hawthorns,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58known as the May flower, it tends to flower quite late on in May.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01You can see it is well in flower now.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03This is happening earlier and earlier
0:06:03 > 0:06:05so that meaning in some ways is becoming redundant.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Should change its name.- Exactly. The April flower, possibly.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13What the data gives us is a very clear indication that climate change
0:06:13 > 0:06:15is happening, it's further evidence
0:06:15 > 0:06:19of the need to kind of make habitats more resilient to climate change.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23And to help wildlife adapt to the changing circumstances.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30In these days of global warming and devastation caused by floods,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33storms and other weather extremes,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36we can all become our own nature monitoring detectives.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39So next time you hear that first call of the cuckoo or the first
0:06:39 > 0:06:43flush of a bluebell, record it and let others know
0:06:43 > 0:06:46because it says a lot about our wider world.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Scotland's bluebells are everywhere at the moment.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54But for the most spectacular displays,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58head to Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Glen Finglas
0:06:58 > 0:07:05near Callander, House of Dun by Brechin or the Fairy Glen, Fortrose.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14An early start to the spring means an early start to the cycling season
0:07:14 > 0:07:16and more cyclists on the roads.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23But do they need more protection?
0:07:23 > 0:07:27That is what campaigners behind the proposed change to the law think
0:07:27 > 0:07:28and I'm keen to find out more.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34But I had better start by declaring an interest. I am a keen cyclist.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I regularly cycle on the roads in Scotland, sometimes by myself,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39often with a group of friends.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Anyone who cycles regularly will have experienced near misses.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Whether it is a car coming a little bit too close or overtaking
0:07:50 > 0:07:53where they shouldn't, it happens time and time again.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Me, I must have experienced dozens,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59if not hundreds, of "that was close" moments.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Thankfully, I have never been seriously injured.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05But not everyone is so lucky.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12In 2012, the most recent year figures are available for,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14nine cyclists were killed.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Most cycling accidents happen on busy urban roads.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23But most fatalities occur on rural roads, just like this one,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25where speeds are higher.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Now, cycling groups have come together to back a campaign
0:08:29 > 0:08:31called Road Share.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35They want a change to civil law that would introduce something
0:08:35 > 0:08:37called presumed liability.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41That would mean, if there was an accident involving a bike
0:08:41 > 0:08:45and a car, it would be assumed that the motorist was responsible
0:08:45 > 0:08:48unless they could prove otherwise.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54I am meeting up with Donald Urquhart from CTC Scotland,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58a national charity that promotes cycling and is backing the campaign.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03The principle is intended to bring home to vehicle
0:09:03 > 0:09:06drivers that they have a responsibility
0:09:06 > 0:09:08because of the size of the vehicle that they are driving.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11They have a responsibility to other road users.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14But surely cyclists have responsibility as well.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17That is right and we are not suggesting that cyclists
0:09:17 > 0:09:18should behave inappropriately.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But by far the vast majority of cyclists do behave well,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24but they feel uncomfortable
0:09:24 > 0:09:29when they are being passed by vehicles far too closely.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32You know yourself as a cyclist, the slipstream from a vehicle can
0:09:32 > 0:09:35cause you to be destabilised really easily.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Presumed liability would apply in cases involving horse riders
0:09:40 > 0:09:43and walkers as well, not just cyclists.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Donald used to be a traffic cop.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50He has enforced the law and seen the results
0:09:50 > 0:09:53when things go wrong on the roads.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57I would imagine any driver watching this would think,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59this is the most ridiculous idea,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03you're presuming that a driver is guilty of causing an accident
0:10:03 > 0:10:06or whatever before anybody is actually spoken to.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08It is not a matter of guilt or innocence, it is
0:10:08 > 0:10:11a civil matter, it is about whether you are negligent or not.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13I am a driver.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15When I am passing a cyclist, I take care,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18I make sure I give the cyclist plenty of space.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It is about reassuring drivers that this is
0:10:21 > 0:10:24not about identifying them as guilty all the time.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26If a cyclist is behaving inappropriately,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30if they're behaving stupidly and the evidence illustrates that,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33then drivers have nothing to worry about.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Just to give us a sense of how dangerous
0:10:38 > 0:10:41and potentially difficult it is, cycling in heavy traffic,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44I am going to spend the next half an hour or so bimbling around the
0:10:44 > 0:10:47centre of Glasgow and we will record it all on this natty little camera.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51So here we go, if it's safe. Yep.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- BRAKES SQUEAL - Oh!
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Yeah, he pulled out and gave me some space, that was decent of the taxi.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16OK, I want to get out. Indicating right.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Good man. Moving out into traffic.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Look how close those buses are, goodness gracious.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27'Riding around the busy city streets and seeing the potential
0:11:27 > 0:11:32'hazards makes me think presumed liability might be a good idea.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36'Maybe it would make drivers more considerate of cyclists.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40'And the proposed legal change is not as bizarre as you might think.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43'There are only five countries in the EU that don't have
0:11:43 > 0:11:47'presumed liability in one form or another.'
0:11:47 > 0:11:48Transport Scotland,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51the government agency who should know about these sort of things,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55looked into the countries that have presumed liability.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59They say they could find no evidence that cyclists were actually
0:11:59 > 0:12:01safer in those countries.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06That is one reason that the Scottish Government does not back
0:12:06 > 0:12:09a change to the existing law.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And neither do motoring groups like the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17I have come to meet Neil Greig from the Institute.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20We have some of the safest roads in the world here in Scotland.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Drivers are already responsible,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25they are already contributing to record lows in deaths on our roads.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28We have seen a slight increase in cycling deaths in the last
0:12:28 > 0:12:31couple of years, but ultimately we do have very safe roads here.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I do wonder if this sort of thing
0:12:33 > 0:12:35would make people feel it's slightly unfair.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Normally you're innocent until proven guilty,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39this kind of turns that on its head.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43I worry that car drivers might see this as perhaps being a bit too much too quickly for cyclists.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I just don't think it will go into people's heads that,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49"Yes, oh, I must drive a bit safer because of presumed liability."
0:12:49 > 0:12:52They will either drive safely or badly because of human error.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I don't think it will actually change people's attitudes
0:12:55 > 0:12:57that much, it won't make that much difference.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Despite Neil's view and the Government's stance,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04presumed liability has support across the political spectrum.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08It is backed by numerous organisations and individuals.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12However, a change in legislation is still a long way off.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15In the meantime, I think if the campaign changes the attitude
0:13:15 > 0:13:20of a few drivers, it has to be a good thing for all of us.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Now, Euan's in Renfrewshire to meet some very open-minded farmers.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33A warm welcome to everybody through to Renfrewshire.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37For those of you who have never been through before...
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Can you imagine any company opening its doors to its competitors
0:13:41 > 0:13:44and allowing them access to all aspects of the business?
0:13:44 > 0:13:49It sounds ludicrous and a sure-fire route to failure.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Incredibly, that's exactly what is happening here today.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Farmer Willie Harper from Bridge of Weir is part of a community
0:13:58 > 0:14:01of farmers and he has invited them in here today to see exactly
0:14:01 > 0:14:03how he runs his business.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It is based on a concept called Monitor Farms.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11Here in Scotland it's just celebrating its 10th anniversary.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Johnny Mackey is head of the industry development
0:14:14 > 0:14:17for the livestock promotion body, Quality Meat Scotland.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20He has witnessed the development of the Monitor Farm movement
0:14:20 > 0:14:22over the last 10 years.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27It started a number of years ago, back in New Zealand.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31The idea came to Scotland in 2003 with the first Monitor Farm
0:14:31 > 0:14:33in the Borders and the second one in Perth.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36What are you trying to achieve with it, what is the aims of it?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38The number one aim of the Monitor Farms programme is to
0:14:38 > 0:14:41improve the profitability of the Monitor Farm
0:14:41 > 0:14:45and also the farms in the local area.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48How do you convince farmers to open up their business?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51How do you convince them to let other farmers come in
0:14:51 > 0:14:53and look at the books and tell each other how it is working?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57There has been a big change in farming in the last 10 or 15 years.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- It must be a nightmare. - Well, it is, it can be.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04But if you find a farmer in the local area who's well respected
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and typical of that area, farmers have a big thirst for knowledge now,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10they're more willing to work together and open up.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13There are now 40 Monitor Farms throughout Scotland.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18One of the pioneers of the movement was Robert Parker from Stranraer.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22His farm was in the scheme from 2004 to 2007.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25He's come along today to see how things have evolved
0:15:25 > 0:15:26over the last 10 years.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32What was your reaction when you first heard about the whole concept? Because, to me,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36it sounds like a real nosy parker's charter, opening up your business.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It is a bit.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41You know, you've got this group of farmers coming round,
0:15:41 > 0:15:42kicking tyres and, you know,
0:15:42 > 0:15:48looking at your business quite closely once every couple of months.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Is that not an uncomfortable place to be?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Well, I've always said, if you're not slightly uncomfortable
0:15:53 > 0:15:55when you're doing it, you're probably not doing it properly
0:15:55 > 0:15:58because it does go into your business so far.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It is nice for farmers to get together and share stories
0:16:01 > 0:16:04and you can share problems as well, you can share tips too.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06You can actually improve your business quite a bit.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08You're obviously pretty passionate about it,
0:16:08 > 0:16:09you're convinced about it.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Let's see what the other farmers think.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I'm here because I think I can learn something from him.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Farming's a very lonely business and when you have problems
0:16:18 > 0:16:21you don't know whether you're the only one that has problems.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23And a problem shared is a big part...
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- It is not just nosiness then?- Oh, no, it is definitely not nosiness.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Have you seen any ideas that you want to steal today?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31One or two, yes, aye. One or two.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37We've heard the theory of the Monitor Farm concept,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40we've seen it in action and we've heard from one of the pioneers
0:16:40 > 0:16:43who grew his business and grew as a person.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Now I'm on my way to Carstairs Mains Farm near Lanark
0:16:46 > 0:16:50to meet Andrew Baillie and he's completely changed
0:16:50 > 0:16:53his farming operation as a result of being a Monitor Farmer.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Today I'm going to be giving Andrew a hand to weigh his bulls,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02to see if they are putting on weight at the right pace.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Weighing also helps identify
0:17:04 > 0:17:07any potential health issues with the cattle.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Euan.- Pleased to meet you. What changes have you made here?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Carry on, don't let me stop you.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17We're making better use of monitoring the livestock performance.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18We're weighing them regularly
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- and it tells us the daily live weight gain in the stock.- Can I open it?
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Yes. It shows up if there is ill-health or anything in the animals
0:17:25 > 0:17:26because of performance.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29You know, there's nothing a farmer likes more than having
0:17:29 > 0:17:32a wee rake around somebody else's farm to see how things are operating
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and what changes they can make to their own farm.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Show me your farm.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42We realised we had a ventilation problem in the shed,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44so we let off a smoke bomb...
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- That must have been fun!- ..and watched the flow of the smoke and
0:17:47 > 0:17:50it came up out from where the cattle are, went to the centre ridge,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and because the ridge was enclosed, it started just travelling back
0:17:54 > 0:17:56down the roof and back onto where the cattle were.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00So we took off the ridge sheets and within five minutes of taking
0:18:00 > 0:18:03the ridge sheets off, we realised the smell in the shed was far fresher.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05So you have got healthier cattle?
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Far healthier ventilation for the cattle, so any infectious issues that
0:18:09 > 0:18:12the cattle may have now just travel straight up and out of the ridge.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Just by opening the roof up? - Just by opening the roof.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19We're in one of the lambing sheds with the world's ugliest sheep,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21the Texel, you might disagree.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23I think you'll find that's personal preference.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25There are a lot of sheep coming in to compete with it.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27OK, we're going to disagree about that, but we are
0:18:27 > 0:18:30going to agree about this lovely yellow thing here, what is this?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34A biomass boiler, helping to heat the lambing shed and the house
0:18:34 > 0:18:36and supplying hot water for calving and lambing,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38which is saving about 3,000 a year in oil.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43We're trying to bring these sheep
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and these lambs out on a chicory-based grazing system.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- Chicory? - Yes, they reduce feed input costs
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- and it also reduces the worm burden in the lambs.- How does that work?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57Is it that it interferes with the life cycle of the worms?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00The worm can't live on the leaf of the chicory like it can
0:19:00 > 0:19:01in normal, standard grass.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04That's going to reduce the amount of inputs into worming?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07It is drastically reduced the amount of worm drenching
0:19:07 > 0:19:11that we require, so that's saving cost to the business.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14You know, at the end of the day the Farm Monitor scheme is
0:19:14 > 0:19:18designed to improve farm efficiency and alternately profitability.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20And given you've been so open with all of the farmers,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22how much have you saved?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- In the biomass system potentially we save about 7,000 a year.- Wow.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- To the farm business.- Brilliant. So it's worth it?
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- It is definitely worth it. - You just have to get prettier sheep!
0:19:39 > 0:19:41If you are horse owner, there's one phrase
0:19:41 > 0:19:44you really don't want to hear from your vet.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Grass sickness.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57It's a devastating disease with survival rates as low as 5%
0:19:57 > 0:20:02and the majority of horses that get it suffer a slow and painful death.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Yet, despite being discovered over 100 years ago,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08its cause is still unknown.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12Sarah's near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire to find out the latest.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19It is one of the great unsolved mysteries of veterinary science
0:20:19 > 0:20:24and a disease which, above all others, horse owners dread.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Equine grass sickness was first recorded
0:20:30 > 0:20:33in the north-east of Scotland in 1907.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Following the First World War, horses were in short supply
0:20:37 > 0:20:41and this frightening new disease was seen as a dire threat
0:20:41 > 0:20:43to the future of the farm horse.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Hundreds of Clydesdales died in local epidemics
0:20:46 > 0:20:51and by 1918 research into isolating the cause of the disease began.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Nearly 100 years on, the cause of the disease is still unknown.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00One theory is that it could be caused by a microorganism in the soil
0:21:00 > 0:21:02called Clostridium botulinum,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06but the only way to prove that theory is to test it.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11I've come to the Cabin Equestrian Centre in Aberdeenshire.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Over the past 20 years they have lost four much-loved horses
0:21:15 > 0:21:17to equine grass sickness.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22The Animal Health Trust has developed a vaccine which might
0:21:22 > 0:21:26guard against the disease, if it is caused by Clostridium botulinum.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Clinical trials are now taking place across the UK,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34including 20 horses here at this centre.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Christy Richardson helps manage the centre.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41What are the early warning signs?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43It is really not easy to detect, actually.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47It is one of those things that maybe colic symptoms, as in a sore tummy,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50they can get sweat patches all over their body but probably
0:21:50 > 0:21:54one of the main ones is the tremors, their whole body goes into a tremor.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Obviously it's one of those things that is the dreaded grass sickness, it's horrible.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- The thing that everyone doesn't want?- Yes, exactly.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02There's nothing you can do, nothing really.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04If they've got grass sickness, that's it.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06There's not a thing you can do, it's just very distressing.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10You are part of this trial, so tell me how that's working and how you became involved?
0:22:10 > 0:22:13We're very excited to be part of the trial cos obviously anything
0:22:13 > 0:22:17to help find a cure or the causes of grass sickness is brilliant.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Is this one part of the trial? - Yes, this is Clay.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- A big one!- A big horse.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- A big horse.- A very nice horse. - A very nice horse.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- She's going to be part of the trial so...- Fingers crossed.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Fingers crossed, exactly.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Graham Hunter is a vet who specialises in horses.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38He's here to administer the vaccine.
0:22:38 > 0:22:441,100 specially selected horses will be vaccinated as part of this trial.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Like Clay, they are all considered to be at risk of developing the disease.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56Having the Clostridium botulinum bacteria in its gut does not mean
0:22:56 > 0:22:59a horse will definitely develop grass sickness.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Graham...
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Sorry to stop you mid examination, what are you checking for?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08'Graham explains how there are certain risk factors that affect
0:23:08 > 0:23:12'any individual horse's chance of developing the illness.'
0:23:12 > 0:23:15We know that horses generally between the ages of two and seven
0:23:15 > 0:23:18are the high risk group, it's very rare in young foals
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and rarer in older horses that have developed
0:23:21 > 0:23:24a degree of immunity or tolerance to the disease.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28There are, indeed, weather patterns that we can see that
0:23:28 > 0:23:31horses are more likely to develop the disease in spring
0:23:31 > 0:23:34and early summer, possibly when we are getting cool,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37dry spells for, you know, 10 days,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40we know outbreaks have been seen after weather patterns like that.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43So even as a vet there's a bit of a mystery as to why some horses
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- get it and some don't? - Absolutely. Yes.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Are you testing horses across the country?
0:23:48 > 0:23:53Yes, at the moment it is a nationwide pilot candidate trial
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and really we've only just started recruiting horses for it
0:23:56 > 0:24:01and we're hoping to get 1,100 horses in total onto the trial. So, please,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04if you've had experience of grass sickness on your premises
0:24:04 > 0:24:06in the past few years it would be great
0:24:06 > 0:24:09if you could contact the Animal Health Trust directly
0:24:09 > 0:24:12with a view to possibly enrolling your horses onto the trial.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16You can find out more about the clinical trial
0:24:16 > 0:24:18by visiting our website.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Getting out and about on a bicycle is a great way of seeing Scotland,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35as I experienced earlier in the programme.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38But, with only just over two months until the beginning of
0:24:38 > 0:24:41the Commonwealth Games, the countryside is also being used
0:24:41 > 0:24:45as a tough training ground for some of Scotland's top athletes.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Over the next few weeks we'll be meeting three of them.
0:24:54 > 0:24:5718-year-old Florrie McLeish is a triathlete
0:24:57 > 0:25:00hoping she'll be selected for the Games.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Her coach Chris Bolle trains her in the cycling,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06swimming and running disciplines she has to compete in,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08and the countryside around Stirling University
0:25:08 > 0:25:11is an integral part of that training.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16For many of us, the cycle up to Dumyat Hill above Bridge of Allan
0:25:16 > 0:25:21would be quite enough, but it's just a wee warm-up for Florrie
0:25:21 > 0:25:24in preparation for the intense running session ahead.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30So I'm about to do 6 x 90 seconds hill reps.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33They are pretty solid sessions as well because it's quite uneven ground.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38OK, so as explained, every rep starts laying on the floor
0:25:38 > 0:25:40until I say up and go.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43There's sheep poo everywhere!
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Yep, get down in the sheep poo, go on.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Why are you such an animal?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52That is a fair point, Florrie! Ready, up!
0:25:52 > 0:25:5390 seconds starts now. Go.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Come on, go, go, go. Drive, drive, drive.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Sheep poo is an occupational hazard for Florrie,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01but her coach thinks that the countryside offers more than just
0:26:01 > 0:26:05rough terrain and a tough environment to train in.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08We're blessed to be in a really nice place that can allow us
0:26:08 > 0:26:10to use countryside for inspiration
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and on a day like today there's no better place,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and while Florrie is having to absolutely kill herself
0:26:15 > 0:26:18to do these reps, she's doing it in a place which hopefully gives her
0:26:18 > 0:26:21some inspiration at the same time. Plus it gives the coach
0:26:21 > 0:26:24some inspiration as well, it makes the office a nice place.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Florrie mainly grew up in Preston, Lancashire.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Her parents are Scottish and when her dad's job moved north,
0:26:31 > 0:26:33so did the family.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Looking good, Florrie, that's the minute mark there.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Come on, 30 more quality seconds, please, up, up, up.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It's obviously a regular thing that I run up on a Saturday morning,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45just a long endurance run.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47There's people who come cycling around here,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50doing sessions with running and biking.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Yes, it is just really inspirational, compared to
0:26:53 > 0:26:55what I was used to back down south.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57That makes training so much more enjoyable
0:26:57 > 0:26:59when you're running around things like this.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Florrie has only been competing in triathlon since 2012
0:27:04 > 0:27:07after switching from swimming.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Her rapid improvement in the sport has made her a strong
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Commonwealth Games prospect.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It would be an absolutely amazing experience
0:27:15 > 0:27:18if I was to get to the Commonwealth Games, with it being a home crowd
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and everything and just the support of family, friends,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23everyone around you. But there's obviously a lot of other people
0:27:23 > 0:27:27with the same aspirations as me so it's just a waiting game to see
0:27:27 > 0:27:29who's got in and I'm sure whoever gets into the team will do
0:27:29 > 0:27:31the best job possible for Scotland.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34It's the goal of representing her country that keeps Florrie going
0:27:34 > 0:27:36during these punishing sessions.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39You're in the perfect place, come on. Good girl, well done.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Strong and controlled, let's go, go, go, go.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Easy!
0:27:51 > 0:27:55The sheep may be oblivious to her chances of competing in Glasgow,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57but Florrie will find out if she's made
0:27:57 > 0:28:01the Scottish Commonwealth Games team in a few weeks' time.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Next week, we'll be looking at the magnificent River Spey.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Sarah will find out about the devastating flood of 1829.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17The height of the water would have been as high as the bridge?
0:28:17 > 0:28:21I imagine it would have been towards the top of that arch there.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Nearly three quarters of the river's water is being diverted away.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28We find out where it is going.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31And I go for a paddle in a Spey Currach.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33It's a very strange experience,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36it's like a kneeling in a peanut shell.