However fortunately some hung on and battled through a pretty grim four decades of heavy taxation and diminishing returns from their estates. With the passing of the estates onto the next generation and all the new prosperity that Britain was enjoying, many homes underwent extensive restoration, which breathed new life into these historic old homes. Whereas previously many castles only survived through government grants or by being taken on by the National Trust, Landmark trust or some other preservation organisation, they now were benefiting from new sources of revenue, like property development, mobile masts, wind farms and office developments in old farm buildings.

An even more exciting development was the emergence of new owners, many from the building industry, who had a passion for old buildings. They bought run down and in some cases ruined former manor houses, castles or keeps and restored them to their former glory. This often involved huge amounts of money and real dedication as they overcame many construction problems. However twenty years on, Scotland is dotted with such buildings and it is wonderful to see so many being enjoyed once more as private homes, small inns or as some form of cultural venue. They are a huge magnet for overseas guests and rightly so!

The ongoing battle with all these buildings is meeting the huge cost of their upkeep and as traditional income sources like farming, forestry and sporting activities diminish. Owners now have to find other ways to generate sufficient income and many now rent out their homes for exclusive lets, corporate events, and film shoots. The opportunity to hire a Scottish castle is hard to resist. Even though some properties are still struggling, there is overall a much more positive mood out there and even the tourist board now appreciates that these wonderful old properties make up a vital part of the fabric of Scotland.

Very few owners these days can afford to live in the lavish lifestyle of their forebears and most now work incredibly hard to preserve their homes. Most visitors would be surprised and probably rather shocked at the sacrifices many owners have made to keep their homes in good order. The next generation will inherit properties in far better condition than their parents did but they too will face many challenges as upkeep costs spiral and their homes continue to age. However the revival in the fortunes of Scotland’s historic castles and homes, is wonderful to see and encouraging for the future. Many are open to the public and nearly all are well worth a visit.

·        Industry

·        Transports

·        Volcano eruptions

·        Natural fires

·        Dust storms

·        Housekeeping activities

 The main polluter in the world is nowadays the industry. During the industrial process, harmful substances are set free into the atmosphere, causing local catastrophes when special filters are inexistent for purging the residual gases. Depending on the height of the furnaces and on the atmospheric conditions, the gases can spread locally or at big distances. All these gases will finally end up on the soil, and studies have proven the fact that up to 40 km of soil around the metallurgic works are affected by the gases these works produce.

 Transports are another source of pollution. In
USA 60% of the gas pollution is caused by auto vehicles and in certain city like LA or Chicago the percentage is raised to 90%. The combustion engine is the main responsible for all this pollution. The vehicles are eliminating gases very near to the earth, leading to high concentrations of gas in the atmosphere, even for low density gases. The volume, nature and concentration of the car pollutants are depending on the type of vehicle, the nature of fuel and the car’s technical conditions of functioning. Some of these pollutant substances are: particles in suspension, sulphur dioxide, lead, methane, benzene, and asbestos. All these substances are creating the smog.

 Volcano eruptions are also harmful to nature as they generate liquid and solid gas products which not only harm the surrounding relief but also the atmosphere’s purity. A volcano eruption will form thick clouds made of dust, ash and water vapors. These suspensions can remain in the atmosphere up to 2 years. The powder that comes from volcano eruptions is considered to contribute to the green house effect created by increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

 Natural fires are a source of smoke and ash and happen when climate humidity lowers below the natural crisis level. This phenomenon is mostly found in the tropical areas but can also appear in US during the droughty years.

 The housekeeping activities are contributing to the pollution in different ways and we don’t even realize it. For warming a house some people depend on wood and so, every year millions of trees are being cut down and used as firewood.

In USA, every year 130 million of tons of firewood are being consumed and this quantity covers only for 3% of the consumption energy. Households like sewage, detergents, domestic...(read the whole article at the link below)

The solution to this problem, at least supposedly, is sun tan oil. Tanning oils are there to make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, meaning that it absorbs more and therefore goes browner. This is controversial, as UV rays have been linked to skin cancer among other diseases, and it is believed that using tanning oils can lead to skin damage – a high price to pay considering the only reason to use them is, essentially, vanity.

The alternatives leave a lot to be desired, though. Using a tanning bed has the same problems in terms of skin damage, and costs a lot too. Fake tan tends to be very fake-looking, making you go more bright orange than brown, and it is hard to escape the feeling that you’re a little tragic if you use it.

With this is mind, many consider the tanning oil alternative to be the best of a bad bunch. It is possible to go some way towards minimising the risks of tanning oil if you get oil that protects you from the sun at least to some extent (look for ones with SPF on the bottle), and try to only stay in the sun for half an hour or so. Since you have put on the tanning oil, it is very important not to stay out for too long, and this is the mistake that many people make.

Whatever you do, remember that tans are not really as healthy as people think they are: a tan is actually your body’s way of dealing with damage that has been caused by the sun, in an effort to stop you from getting sunburn. If you are going to have a tan, it’s wise to limit the times when you do rather than try to have one all year round, and to be very careful with the sun. If you hurt yourself now, you might not know about it until you’re 50 or even older, but when you find out it won’t be a nice surprise for you.

About 1 in 100 people have sensitivities to sulfites.   And among these people, about five percent are clinically allergic to sulfites.  As a result, the FDA has even required a sulfite warning to be placed on wine bottles containing sulfites.

How do you know if you are sensitive or allergic to sulfites?  Signs can include headaches, rashes, cramps and lightheadedness.  Serious reactions to sulfites are possible, including a life threatening anaphylactic reaction.
 
Interestingly, those with asthma, liver problems or other allergies are most susceptible to sulfite reactions.  But anyone can be affected by ingesting sulfites.

Sulfites are found virtually everywhere today.  But there are things you can do to avoid sulfites.  Most importantly, if you are allergic, do not eat in restaurants or places where food is prepared for you.  Never eat food from a salad bar, which is probably the most common source of sulfite containing foods.  Additionally, be sure you have your Epi-pen with you at all times.

When you cook at home, prepare your meals with organic foods.  Stay away from processed and canned foods.  Do not eat dried fruits, and remember that alcoholic beverages probably contain sulfites.  And finally, ask your doctor or pharmacist if your vitamins or medications have been preserved with sulfites.

If you experience a mild reaction to sulfites, drink lots of water.  You may also reduce your symptoms by taking Pepsid AC.  Benadryl may give you relief as well. 

If you believe you are allergic to sulfites, make an appointment with your physician to be tested, and immediately begin to avoid sulfites.

To study well, you have to be hard working, industrious, curious and longing for knowledge, but there will be no result without established stable good cooperation between students and teachers, tutors or professors. The misunderstanding between the two may result into complete rejection of any matter expressed by the tutor from student’s side and complete carelessness about the interest of the auditorium. Even being a postgraduate student, one may experience cold and unconcerned guidance of the advisor while writing a thesis paper. To be successful in the future, one must resolve this problem and try to establish a fine solution. According to psychology the cause of misunderstanding with others has to be searched for in oneself. Certainly, it is not easy to convince yourself that your behavior is not proper, but something has to be done about it. You are ambitious and willing to develop and grow and you are ready to do anything to reach success. Without noticing it, you may provoke your advisor or hurt his feelings. Your genuine dissatisfaction when your thesis proposal is rejected is quite understandable. So why don’t you seek the reason not in your thesis but in your manner of behavior in your tutor’s presence.

Here are some clues that will help you to define what was done wrong. To communicate easily you have to understand that a person you talk to has his own ambitions and thoughts. Expressing your idea plainly, not considering the evidence given by your advisor will show disrespect to the scientist that is more experienced in the field than you are. Choose words and ways when speaking to your tutor. It is quite obvious that you are intelligent; if there is a disagreement, it’s sometimes better to retreat than to get involved into a heated argument. If you show that you have ignored his lectures or never looked through his manual, you will be treated carelessly. Try to make an impression of a diligent, intelligent, interesting person with sense of humor and longing for success. Every scholar is pleased to hear that his work is appreciated, so try to make a compliment on what he’s accomplished. But if there is no particular reason for your being disregarded, inform about it. Your advisor’s task is to guide you through the process and propose assistance if necessary. There will be no successful cooperation if you don’t feel comfortable with each other. Your thesis is the first step towards bright career and you have to do your utmost to complete it duly. Guidance provided is very important, so if there are any misunderstandings, try to improve the situation and continue cooperation on friendly terms.

Combine this with a huge increase in equipment costs and maintaining old buildings, along with a certain amount of wear & tear that our harsh climate produces and you have a challenging situation facing the owners of Scotland’s old ancestral homes. Unless they have other income streams independent of the estate, they are facing a grim future. Many owners do indeed now work in other industries and channel those resources into maintaining their properties. Most do a combination of traditional farming and sporting activities, combined now with private lets and other commercial activities. These could include offering castles for rent, marketing the property as a venue for film shoots, weddings, concerts and corporate events.

Fortunately many are located close to wonderful golf courses, so make perfect venues for golfing parties, whilst others allow easy access from major cities so can welcome corporate groups to dine or to hold special events. More rural properties tend to specialise more in the sporting market, although Ackergill Tower, which is located near Wick, is the premier country house operation in Britain and you don’t get much more rural that Caithness. They manage this by offering amazing service, huge amounts of Highland charm and wonderful facilities. Other properties have followed their lead and many now enjoy high occupancy levels.

There are now properties available to suit all incomes and preferences and it has been the saving of many of our fine old homes. The improvements and re-investment that many have made over the last decade is astonishing and the market for private rentals is now very sophisticated, with many properties offering hotel level facilities (swimming pools, tennis courts, spa treatments, broadband internet access, fancy chefs and premier cru wines). The interiors of many have been totally refurbished and additional bathrooms, new kitchens, media rooms etc have been added.

It should be noted that ownership of many of these homes has changed hands over the last decade or so and many that were the old family homes of prominent Scottish families are now owned by admirers of Scotland from all over the world. It is their enthusiasm, energy and most importantly resources that have brought back many properties from the brink of ruin. They have also be sensible to look to the future and many realised early on that only by diversifying into new areas like private rentals and corporate events could they recoup some of their upkeep costs. Indeed many of the homes run at a deficit of around £100,000 a year and this is where new income sources come in handy for their survival.

Of course as Scotland prospers and there is more and more building going on, along with wind farms, electrical masts and other light industry and office developments, many estates have found yet more ways of bringing in much needed funds. However most still use a combination of all or some of the above and many now welcome guests to take over their homes for a family celebration or other event and to live like a laird, without the hassle of actual ownership!

Reasons Wind Power Is a Viable Energy Solution

Using the wind to harness energy from our environment is hardly a new concept. Ancient Persians are believed to have been the first group to use windmills to turn grain grinding machines. The Dutch, of course, are also famous for their windmills and so on. In modern days, however, wind energy platforms are much more refined and used primarily for energy production.

To get energy from wind, we must focus on a concept known as kinetic energy. Do to micro-climate situations, wind is produced fairly readily in a natural process. The sun heats the ground, but does so at different rates. In areas where the ground is heated faster, the air rises as temperatures go up. Air from cooler surrounding areas then rushes in to fill the gap. We then convert it into usable electricity by catching it with wind turbines. The wind is caught by the blades of a spinner, which turns, cranks a generator and electricity is produced. This process is natural and simple, but produces a monstrous amount of energy. If we could harness all the wind in the world, we would have more than 10 times the amount of energy we need for the entire globe. Of course, harnessing it is the problem.

There are a number of reasons why wind power is part of our energy solution. First, it produces no pollution or greenhouse gases. Second, it is renewable and will last for as long as our son – about another four billion years. Third, wind energy is available in practically any country, which means no reliance on foreign sources. Fourth, wind power produces more jobs per watt produced than all other energy platforms, including oil and coal.

Wind power is growing in use and popularity in places such as Germany and China. In the United States, California has three large wind farms that are used to provide power during massive energy use periods in the summer. The process is viable, but we must accept it and pursue better technology to wring the most out of the huffing and puffing of Mother Nature.

Horses thrived and survived in various regions and climates. Each area developed distinct breeds with qualities that were vital to the people of that region. In many ways, horses changed the lives of the people they served.  Desert Nomads and Horses

In the desert and grasslands, camels are more practical as they can survive long periods without food and water, unlike horses. As a result few true desert bred horses exist today, so they are rarely seen in show rings, remaining mostly for breeding. Other desert type horses evolved, but none were ever considered by the Bedouins for their Arabians.

The nomadic people were the first to domesticate horses. They encouraged both pacing and other flying gaits which could carry their tribes long distances without tiring the horses. The severe climate required the nomads to share food and water, and sometimes even their tents with their horses.

In addition, with the nomadic nature of the Gypsy peoples, their horses had to be adaptable to varying climates, terrains and living conditions. The result of this culling has led to the Gypsy Vanner Horse being one of the most docile horses in the world.

Icelandic Horses

Centuries of isolation in Iceland has produced an extremely sure footed horse who is agile on rough terrain and shows great reserves of stamina. The Icelandic Horse has been able to keep it's due to the purity of the breed, being the only breed in Iceland. Of the most fascinationg feature of the Icelandic horse is it's extreme genetic purity. The hardships they survived have given a horse that is not afraid to face the world. Both horse and people have had to face cold and starvation on more than one occasion in Iceland. The horse carried it's owners over the rough terrain of Iceland which includes lava fields, mountains, and many rivers. It is certainly not an ideal setting for the horse.

Vikings and Horses

The Vikings recognized the value and political power of their horses and gave them a place of great honor in their history and culture. To them, the horse was more than a war horse or a means of travel. So, when the first Vikings set sail to explore Northern oceans, along with them went the strong little horses.

American Indians and Horses

Indians of that era had never seen horses and to them the horse and rider team were a godlike being. Many religious ceremonies were based on the horse and its contribution to the life of the Indian. To try and keep this belief, it was illegal for some years for an Indian to ride a horse much less own one. The acquisition of the horse completely changed the Plains Indian's way of life, transforming them from plodding pedestrians to nomadic hunters and warriors.

This falcon was on the endangered species list back in 1970 because of a problem with egg shell thinning that was caused mainly by use of the pesticide DDT during the 1950s and 60s.  It took biologists 20 years to figure out that the pesticide used to protect plants from insects was the problem affecting these birds and other animals.  Small animals ate the plants contaminated with the pesticide, and when the peregrine falcon hunted those animals, the infected flesh poisoned them.  The chemical even changed the behavior of peregrine falcons in that it made them stop caring for their young. 

The federal government banned the use of DDT in the United States; however, the recovery process took a while because the chemical residue remained in the environment.  Other countries which are home to peregrine falcons still use DDT, and that, along with trapping and shooting by poachers, still cause the bird's population to decrease.  Today the endangered list still includes the peregrine falcon, and they are gradually increasing in population. 

The peregrine falcon is not a very large bird; it is about the size of a crow.  It is identifiable by its dark blue to slate colored back and its white throat.  It also has a black teardrop right under its eye, and small black sideburns. 

Peregrine falcons hunt at dawn and dusk; they will prey on ducks, pigeons, other birds and small mammals.  They search for their prey from the air, and when they spot something to eat, they attack, making a sharp loud territorial call.  They will swoop down at an incredible speed,  up to 200 miles per hour, which makes this the fastest creature on earth.  When they target their prey falcons use their talons to strike a severe blow to the creature to eat on the spot or to carry away to their eyrie. 

Peregrine falcons are normally cliff dwellers which build their nests far out of reach of people.  However, you can find some in cities on top of high buildings.  Researchers who study these birds help them with city nesting; they supply certain buildings with leaves and other materials which the falcons can use.

The peregrine falcon can be found all over the world.  Just look out for a bird the size of a crow with dark sideburns, yellow legs and pointed wings when in flight.  Hunting permitted with a camera only.

So who are making these claims? Well there are many scientists that have been looking at the earth’s climates and weather systems for a long time and trying to make sense of them. The earliest reason for doing this was not to measure the affect of the greenhouse gases that are magnifying the suns intensity and causing the heat to stay within it. They originally wanted to learn about the earth so that they could by recognizing signs be could warn of natural disasters like earth quakes and hurricanes and tsunamis. Since they have kept data to look for these signs they have noticed disturbing trends in things like the average temperature and the increasing sea level and other things like the sized of the ice cap over Antarctica and they seem to only be going in one direction which spells trouble.

Then they start looking for why this is happening, and the buzzword is generally global warming. They cite the increase in certain gases like CO2 which are purportedly on the rise do to the millions of different engines that burn fossil fuels across the world. Supposedly this changes the qualities of the atmosphere that hold in the energy from the sun much like a green house does. What people don’t realize is that these are all theories to explain trends in the environment that no one has any clue about. We know that Antarctica melts in places and at certain times and since we have been measuring these things it appears that the land mass has gotten smaller—but this is very flawed thinking.

You see we have only been able to make specialized measurements like this for several decades which may seem like a long enough time to make good guesses about the earth which is thousands of years old (some even say billions). You just can’t make definitive statements about trends that may just be natural cycles that are 500 years in length. Even 100 year or 50 year cycles would not have been fully measured yet. So we must cool our jets and take ourselves so seriously. We know a lot less about the melting Antarctica and many other things that seem to be slowly headed toward disaster than we think.