Squirrels find new friend in Ross MSP

A ROSS-SHIRE MSP has become the species champion for one of Scotland’s endangered animals.

Gail Ross said she was "delighted" to be named as champion for the red squirrel.

Re-launched for the new parliamentary term, the award-winning initiative run by Scottish Environment LINK pairs MSPs with a range of species as diverse as bottlenose dolphins to the flame shell.

Champions have the opportunity to raise the profile of their species within and outwith parliament.

Ms Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: "I am delighted to be named as the species champion for such an important animal as the red squirrel. It is truly an icon of Scotland.

"I look forward to the opportunity this will give me to find out more about the pressures and opportunities that face red squirrels both in my constituency and wider Scotland.

"I know that around Leckmelm near Ullapool there was a great campaign by local youngsters who erected their own road signs warning motorists that there were red squirrels in the area.

"I was happy to see that eventually Transport Scotland recognised this campaign and erected their own signs which alerted motorists of their presence in the area."

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