HIDDEN beneath a shimmering blue sky deep in the still heart of the West Lothian countryside, surrounded only by cows and sheep, lies one of the UK's biggest environmental gatherings yet.

The dress code for the 600 delegates from all over the world - mainly of the student fraternity - is strictly casual at Gowanbank, in the hills above the town of Armadale.

There is no written or formal agenda. Workshops of an ecological nature have taken place at regular intervals over the last two weeks as the like-minded individuals swopped ideas on global green issues, in their campaign to save the world from itself.

The fruits of their practical work are plain - the wooden structure of a prototype environmentally-friendly house for Bosnian refugees and a mini-generator powered by pedal, which creates electricity to run computers or musicians' pa systems - are evidence of their collective efforts.

A rainbow of tiny one-man tents, buses, and marquees housing a canteen and licensed bar - selling environmentally-friendly alcoholic beverages between 9pm and 11pm - expands over several acres of grassy, bush-covered sun-burnt fields, punctuated by the more practical temporary toilets and showers, provide the shelter and structure for the gathering.

This little-publicised event is the 1997 Ecotopia, an environmental movement which unites green activists from all over the globe.

The atmosphere is distinctly laid-back. Those in attendance spend the day in open-air workshops discussing projects and issues relevant to the environment and the aims of the global gathering.

Entertainment is provided by musicians in attendance in the remote countryside, with only local animal life disturbed by the late-night noise.

There is no clear organisational structure; democracy dictates that those interested in the administrative niceties gather to make decisions in a radical consensus-style format. Participation is left up to individuals.

The main group involved in the ecotopia is the European Youth Forest Action, an international network of environment groups founded in 1986, boasting more than 200 groups across Europe, and with headquarters in Amsterdam. Visitors to the gathering, however, become cagey when asked about the demonstration which brought chaos to traffic in Edinburgh's city centre, as the environmental protest which spawned scores of arrests spiralled out of control

The most common answer from the campers is: ''I can't tell you anything about it. I wasn't there.''

However, a coach was dispatched to Edinburgh to bring those unfortunate enough to have found themselves grasped by the long arm of Scots law back to the site, reuniting them with essential friends and belongings.

Jonny McEwen, 31, from Belfast, is one of an indigent UK group at the gathering. A musician with a strong interest in the environment, he has attended several ecotopias, including last year's, in the Czech Republic.

''They vary in size every year. Some people stay for two or three days, some stay for three weeks, it varies. We're all just here to share ideas.''

Sylvain, 23, is a student from Germany, studying the environment. He became involved in ecotopia through its network of meetings in Europe, and applauds its work in the field of sustainable development.

''I think it is a very good event to prompt people from other countries, and also to exchange ideas.''

Ms Beata Delesy, 19, from Warsaw, said she was attending her first gathering.

''It is my first time. It is great really. I think it is very interesting to meet people from different countries.

''It was my dream to come to Scotland. I love it.''