Highland beaver release planned for Glen Affric; Forestry and Land Scotland has applied to NatureScot to reintroduce the mammals at Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin
Beavers could be released into Glen Affric within months after a licence to reintroduce them was sought by Scotland’s forestry agency.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has applied to NatureScot for permission to release beavers into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin.
The move follows a two-year consultation process involving local communities and land managers, as well as rewilding charity Trees for Life, which is a partner for the project.
If approved, the reintroduction will begin in the spring.
Beavers were once widespread in the UK but were hunted to extinction centuries ago for their furs and because of persecution. However, in recent years they have been successfully reintroduced in several parts of Scotland, including Knapdale.
The mammals’ building of natural dams help to create wildlife rich habitats while also helping to slow the flow of flood water downstream in times of heavy rain. This slower release can reduce the height of peak flood waters, reducing the severity of the impact on manmade developments.
But some landowners complain that the newly-flooded areas can impact on agricultural land, which is part of the reason why their reintroduction has often been done in areas with lower levels of arable farming and smaller human populations.
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 said it had 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.
