Glen Affric to home new beavers?

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has applied to NatureScot for a licence to release beavers into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin, in Glen Affric.

The move follows two years of consultation with local communities and land managers, carried out by FLS and project partners, Trees for Life.

If the application is successful, it is anticipated that beavers, translocated from parts of Scotland, will be released in Spring of 2025.

FLS’ North Region Planning Manager, Euan Wiseman, said:

“Over the years we have built up good working relationships with the local Affric communities so it was important that we took the time to fully engage with everyone on this issue.

“The thorough and exhaustive consultation process, carried out in partnership with Trees for Life, allowed everyone in the community to have their say, which helped us to identify where the majority opinion lay.

“However, more importantly the consultation process – along with other representations made to us  helped us to develop appropriate and adequate mitigations to address the concerns raised by those who were not in favour of beaver reintroductions.

“We have now put appropriate measures in place that have enabled us to make a formal application to NatureScot for a release licence.”

FLS has undertaken to establish a Beaver Monitoring and Mitigation Group that serves as a community and visitor liaison focal point where, should the licence application be granted and beavers introduced to the area, any emerging issues or concerns can be aired and addressed.

The Group will also look at developing educational opportunities with local schools, the wider community and visiting members of the public.

Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life’s Head of Nature Restoration, said;

“FLS’s application for a licence for the historic return of beavers to its land in Glen Affric, in line with majority support in the community, is a hugely positive step. Beavers create wetlands that benefit biodiversity, soak up carbon dioxide, and reduce flooding. This remarkable species can also bring social and economic benefits for communities.

“We’ve worked hard for a long time with FLS to ensure everyone here could have their say on this proposal. The detailed, inclusive engagement process encompassed a wide range of views and was guided by Scottish Government best practice guidelines.

“Should the application be approved, we will be ready to offer practical support to ensure the local community can enjoy and benefit from beavers being brought back to the glen, with any localised issues well-managed."

FLS and Trees for Life have been working in partnership since 2022 to engage with the local community regarding a potential proposal to return beavers to Glen Affric, above the Beinn A’ Mheadhoin Dam.

FLS indicated to the community and stakeholders, in summer 2024, that it intends to apply for a licence to release beavers in Glen Affric.

Pic credit: Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) by a pond in Scotland View by Gannet77 from Canva (17/12/2024)