My Heart’s in the Highlands
“[I] Journeyed through the highlands, “[it] was perfectly inspiring, and I hope I have laid in a good stock of new poetical ideas.” So wrote Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, when in 1787 he completed a long tour of the highlands. His journey took him by two WildLand estates, Glenfeshie and Aldourie, and brought forth from his pen great songs and extemporaneous verse.
First, what was Burns, a poor farmer from Ayrshire, doing roving north through the Cairngorms and into Inverness? Well, after 13 years of writing poems for his own amusement in commonplace books, in letters to friends or for delivery in pubs to riotous groups, Burns had finally got enough support to bring out a little published collection of his work; the Kilmarnock Edition as it is now known.
It was an overnight success. Scotland’s literary scene knew immediately that they had a real genius on their hands. Burns went from deep poverty to relative financial stability in the blink of an eye. More importantly for his tour, he was also a man that everyone wanted to meet. Invitations to visit were extended to Burns by the great and the good across the country, allowing him to stay overnight at stately homes all through his tour.
Another motivation for the tour was also to refresh his poetic muse. From his earliest works, Burns had used nature as an inspiration and as a source of metaphor;
The moorcock springs on whirring wings
Amang the blooming heather:
Now waving grain, wide o’er the plain,
Delights the weary farmer;
And the moon shines bright, as I rove by night,
To muse upon my charmer.
An adventure around the north would expose the young poet to far more highland grandeur and drama in the landscape than he would find in his handsome but homely agricultural landscape of Ayrshire.
Burns travelled slow by modern standards. He and his friend Nicoll went by horse drawn chaise on the rough highland roads, and they would regularly climb down from their little two seater cart to stretch their legs and visit waterfalls, gorges, romantic castle ruins and the like.
The landscapes of Scotland can feel timeless. In fact, the country through which Burns journeyed was in many ways a country on the brink of radical change. At home, centuries old subsistence farming was being replaced by the industrial revolution and agricultural overhaul.
Abroad, Scots were now able to access the British Empire, and found markets, opportunities and profits overseas, with the money paying for big changes at home. Burns saw all of this change on his journey, and remarked upon it.
Relevantly for us at WildLand, Burns wrote a long poem to a landowner encouraging him to rewild the lands under his care, for the benefit of birds, fish, hares and humans. It is a striking piece of nature advocacy. But I’ll get to that in a moment. First, Burns had to contend with the early flickers of industrialisation.
Very early in his journey, he stopped at Carron by the broad river estuary the Firth of Forth. The whole of this ancient landscape would soon become the epicentre of iron making in the entire British empire, with central belt iron helping build much of the infrastructure of imperial expansion: ships, bridges, railways.
Burns and his companion overlooked the great blast furnaces from a local Inn. In a characteristic moment of poetic vandalism, Burns used a diamond stylus to engrave his impression of the Ironworks onto a pane of glass.
We cam na here to view your works
In hopes to be mair wise,
But only, lest we gang to Hell,
It may be nae surprise
In other words; there’s nothing to learn here, only a human replica of hell built on earth.
Burns carried on north, along the same route travellers take to reach Glenfeshie, or any other of the WildLand areas. He stopped in at the amazing Hermitage walk by Dunkeld – now managed by the National Trust and more popular than ever – praising the “the incessant roar of headlong tumbling floods” of the dramatic highland waterfalls.
Near the modern House of Bruar country store on the A9 road, not far south of Glenfeshie, is the amazing Falls of Bruar, the great gorge where the Bruar Water tumbles over rock. Burns visited, guided personally by the landowner responsible for the landscape.
The riverbanks were denuded of all timber. No tree or bush grew alongside. All the useful wood felled, presumably, by axes sent by the estate. In a remarkable letter, Burns entreats his host the landowner to replant the riverbanks and invite nature back into the landscape.
The letter contained a poem written from the perspective of the river itself. The river asks that the landlord;
shade my banks wi’ tow’ring trees,
And bonie spreading bushes.
Delighted doubly then, my lord,
You’ll wander on my banks,
And listen mony a grateful bird
Return you tuneful thanks.
The river says that not only will many birds return to the river, but mountain hare too would find a happy home in the bushes and trees thus replanted, and humans would find practical, and not just romantic, retreat amongst the woodland.
Here shall the shepherd make his seat,
To weave his crown of flow’rs;
Or find a shelt’ring, safe retreat,
From prone-descending show’rs.
Burns is often credited with being ahead of his time, arguing passionately against social hierarchies and privileges based on noble birth, celebrating the rights of women, writing in empathy of the poor enslaved people being stolen from Africa and taken to the Americas.
An often overlooked aspect of his Bardic worldview is his passionate advocacy for the healing and inspirational role of nature, and the role of land custodians to protect, and if necessary, heal wearied or degraded lands.
Burns’ journey around the north was, in his own words, ‘perfectly inspiring’. Of the many lyrics and poems he penned during his tour and after, there is one song that stands out. It is set to an old Gaelic air, perhaps one collected by the Bard on his travels. The simple words resonate with many who have roved north as Burns did;
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth ;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
If you’d like to stay in the wildlands Burns travelled through, view our properties to find the stay right for you.
Written by Alistair Heather – a writer, history enthusiast and television presenter. He is the host of Burns Night 2026 on BBC One, and runs a popular history instagram page @Historic_Ally
Explore regeneration first-hand at WildLand
Regeneration at WildLand is not something that exists behind the scenes. It is woven into the fabric of being here from staying in beautifully restored homes to spending time in the wild landscapes.
Our guests are not passive observers. They become part of the story: witnesses to nature’s recovery, reshaped by our careful stewardship.
Regeneration you can see, hear and feel
Spending time at WildLand is a chance to slow down and connect with the changing sights and sounds of wild nature all around. Regeneration reveals itself gradually, through chirruping birdsong, new green growth and the feel of peaty bogs underfoot.
Being at WildLand presents a different kind of travel where regeneration is naturally part of every stay. By staying present and moving at a gentle pace, you can take note of the beauty of landscapes as they recover.
Walking in restored wilderness
Hiking in Sutherland, Loch Ness or the Cairngorms, including climbs such as Ben Hope, offers a powerful sense of scale and perspective. Wide horizons, quiet glens and open skies create space to think and breathe deeply.
These walks are shaped by restored habitats and careful land management. The emotional impact comes not from drama, but from a stillness and space to simply be, appreciating the importance and beauty of regenerated land. Time spent here often shifts how people see both the land and themselves within it.
Learning from the land
Experiences such as foraging and forest bathing encourage a wonderful connection with the restorative power of nature. Guided by ecologists and foraging specialists, guests learn to identify plants, fungi and woodland: details that might otherwise be overlooked, showing how nature and humans can live harmoniously.
The learning that takes place deep in nature’s dense woodlands and rolling glens is all about developing a healthy respect for nature and the circularity of ecosystems. This knowledge helps deepen connection while experiencing the pureness of WildLand’s unforgettable landscapes.
Wellbeing shaped by place
Wellbeing at WildLand is wholly inseparable from its surroundings. Sauna sessions, wild swimming and time outdoors awaken the senses – a restoration that could be seen as a reflection of nature’s own rebound.
Heat, cold, movement and rest follow natural rhythms and allow us to tap into an elemental experience. The landscapes ask you to slow down, listen and recover at your own pace.
A journey through the land
Moving between the Cairngorms, Sutherland and the north coast reveals regeneration in different forms. Each place responds uniquely to season, weather and time.
Returning at different points in the year offers new perspectives. Autumn colours, winter light and spring growth each tell a different part of the story where shifting landscapes restore through sun, cloud, rain or snow.
A living landscape
Every stay at WildLand supports ongoing restoration. More than that, it offers the chance to experience landscapes mid-recovery, shaped by care and showing a continuation of our efforts.
These places are still rebounding. Spending time here is a chance to be part of that process and in turn, part of the story of WildLand.
Explore WildLand’s places to stay and experiences, and discover regeneration as it unfolds.
Thriving biodiversity unfurls across WildLand’s estates
Across the Highlands, WildLand works with nature over the long term, creating conditions in which landscapes can recover, reconnect and thrive, exactly how nature intended.
This is careful, patient work that looks at every tiny detail alongside the big picture. Guided by science, shaped by collaboration and rooted in responsibility, regeneration at WildLand is as much about restraint as it is about action.
Repairing landscapes with care
WildLand is a long-term custodian of land, buildings and habitats across the Highlands. Our approach to regeneration is quiet and considered, focused on working with natural processes rather than against them, giving nature every opportunity to thrive.
Conservation here is not framed as a spectacle or something we feel the need to show off about. It is our responsibility to the land, and comes with time, attention and humility. By allowing nature the space and support to recover, we aim to protect it not just for today, but for generations to come.
From rivers to moorland
How do we help nature? In northern Sutherland, we care for the Hope and Polla rivers. Through sweep netting surveys carried out with local fisheries trusts, we monitor sea trout populations, gathering data on their health, movement and growth.
This work is gentle and precise. Fish are handled briefly and returned unharmed, allowing us to build an understanding of river systems without disrupting them. Rivers reflect wider landscape health, soil condition, vegetation and land use upstream. We know that what happens on the river banks matters as much as what flows alongside them.
Restoring the land’s balance
Some landscapes need careful intervention to recover, such as native bracken, which can spread aggressively. Through techniques such as bracken rolling, hand cutting and targeted grazing, we help restore balance and make space for more diverse habitats to emerge. Here smaller creatures, birds and insects can live happily alongside the protection of bracken.
Highland cattle play an important role in this process. Using NoFence GPS collars, we can monitor grazing, protecting sensitive areas while encouraging variety elsewhere, all overseen by our land and conservation teams. These regenerated landscapes create a mosaic of habitats – spaces for a wide range of species to live and thrive.
Nature’s tiny moments
Some of the clearest signs of recovery are found in the smallest details. Bumblebees, other pollinators and native plants all respond quickly to improved habitat conditions.
Heather moorland, peat soils and lichens are hugely important. Lichens, in particular, thrive only where air quality is high, offering quiet proof of clean, healthy environments. These understated indicators tell an important story about ecological resilience and resurgence in our wild landscapes.
Reconnecting landscapes, returning wildlife
As habitats recover, wildlife returns. Red squirrels, birds of prey and other species are increasingly visible where woodland structure and food sources have improved and it is with great pride that we see these creatures with more frequency.
Although we must note that success in regeneration is measured over decades, not seasons. It is seen in continuity and we are just at the start of our regeneration journey.
Regenerations works with care
None of this work happens in isolation and we couldn’t do it alone. Scientists, conservation partners, neighbouring land managers and our own teams all contribute expertise and insight.
This beautiful collaboration allows us to learn, adapt and always act with care towards nature and the land. Our conservation vision is a shared responsibility and one that we’re proud to be a part of.
Tracking Our Golden Eagles
The golden eagle stands as a potent symbol of Scotland’s majestic wild places. They are large, powerful raptors who play an important role in the delicate balance of natural habitats in the Highlands.
Some handy golden eagle facts
Monarchs of the sky →
In Celtic mythology, the eagle is traditionally seen as one of the oldest of all creatures, surpassed only by the salmon in wisdom and age. Spotting a golden eagle as it soars above the mountains, it’s hard not to share in that wonder. These are big birds. An adult golden eagle has a body length of between 80 and 90 cm, and a wingspan up to 2.3m. Female golden eagles are larger than males, and can weigh up to 6.5 kg, whereas the males can hope to reach 4.5kg.
These eagles earn their moniker from their dark brown plumage, punctuated by a golden area at the back of their head.
Eagles tend to soar and glide, using air currents, rather than flapping their wings. They can reach speeds of up to 120mph while gliding, and can dive at speeds of 150mph as they catch their prey with their talons.
A key species →
As an apex predator, the golden eagle plays a crucial role in the balance of natural habitats in the Highlands. By preying on more abundant species, such as grouse, the golden eagle helps to control populations of certain small mammals and birds, which in turn contributes to the biodiversity of the habitat. But it’s not all hunting at 150mph. The golden eagle is also a part-time scavenger, feeding on the carcasses of larger animals.
The life of a golden eagle, when lived to its fullest, can extend up to 38 years in the wild. Although much is known about the role of golden eagles in the landscape, we still have a great deal to learn. That is why WildLand has invested in a comprehensive monitoring programme, following the life and times of eagles who call our land home.
Hope for the future →
The story of the golden eagle has not always been a happy one. Today, Scotland plays host to just over 400 pairs. However, the golden eagle’s natural prey of grouse and roe deer calves has marked it as a target for persecution in the past. Poison, shooting and trapping have all been used, illegally, to restrict the golden eagle’s natural advancement into new territory.
In tracking their progress, we hope to learn more about how these birds interact with the landscape through the course of what is, hopefully, set to be a long life in the wild.
Earth Day 2025: Our Commitment to the Wild
Today is Earth Day—a timely reminder of our connection to the land. For our dedicated team of WildLanders across the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, and Sutherland, this commitment extends far beyond a single day. Their devotion to our 200-year vision of ecological restoration in the Scottish Highlands is woven into their daily lives, shaping not only their work but their way of living.
Every day, they care for the landscapes, restore historic buildings, and create unique experiences that offer guests meaningful opportunities to connect more deeply with the natural world. Their passion and perseverance are shaping a more vibrant, thriving future—honouring the spirit of Earth Day every day in the lands we are so fortunate to care for. We invite you to be part of this journey. Read on to explore some of our recent stories and initiatives from the wild.
WILDLAND CAIRNGORMS
WildLand began at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, on the Glenfeshie Estate, where the transformation of the landscape is now unmistakable. Across our neighbouring estates of Killiehuntly and Gaick, the signs of rewilding are becoming ever more visible too, from regenerating forests to thriving wildlife.
Linking Landscapes for Wildlife
In the Cairngorms, we are witnessing steady and meaningful progress in restoring a richly varied woodland landscape, where riparian glens meet montane slopes of pine and birch, and where natural regeneration is supported by carefully sequenced and ecologically sensitive planting. One notable milestone is the completion of the Linkwood project in Glenfeshie, named as such for its role in joining the Bhran and the Compartment. Here, half a million native trees have been hand-screefed into the soil, revitalising areas where seed sources were few or where prevailing winds have historically limited natural dispersal. This area covers 140ha of high-altitude planting.
The Linkwood was designed as a small-scale experiment in riparian planting ahead of the restoration of the upper Feshie, which will involve establishing around 100ha per annum over a ten-year period. This project aims to link Speyside to Deeside, providing a valuable habitat corridor between the two catchments. Over the next two years we will be carrying out montane bird, vegetation and archeological surveys and gathering data with the target of 2026-27 for establishment to commence.
WILDLAND LOCH NESS
Along the shores of Loch Ness, our journey began at the magnificent Aldourie Castle Estate. A few years on, the revitalisation of the land is becoming ever more apparent—from expansive grasslands and thriving gardens to the complete restoration of the large, energy-efficient castle and cottages into a eco-friendly retreat. At Clune Farm, we are beginning our journey towards regenerative farming, cultivating nature-friendly produce that will nourish the kitchens of WildLand, while continuing to enhance the landscape around us.
Planting for the Future
At Aldourie Castle Estate, we’re working to increase biodiversity across the gardens and grounds through a considered and sustainable approach to land management. Our herbaceous borders are designed to reflect natural grassland meadows, with a rich variety of native and non-native species that provide nectar and pollen from the first spring bulbs in February right through to late-flowering perennials. These borders are left standing until late winter, adding visual interest and structure while also offering valuable overwintering habitat for insects and small mammals.
Across the estate, areas of grassland have been sown with native hay meadow mixes, encouraging a diversity of grasses and wildflowers. These meadows are left undisturbed until they’re cut in late summer, giving wildlife the chance to benefit from the habitat and allowing wildflowers to set seed for the following year. In the arboretum and woodlands, we’re carefully managing the removal of invasive Rhododendron ponticum to let light back in and support natural regeneration. Alongside this, a significant number of native trees – including pine, oak, larch, birch and beech – have been planted to strengthen existing woodland and ensure its health and longevity for generations to come.
Sustainable by Design
At WildLand, all of our restoration projects prioritise conservation over new construction, always choosing to reuse buildings where possible. We favour traditional local materials to reduce carbon impact and aim to eliminate plastic use in our buildings. Every project is assessed for its full life-cycle carbon footprint—from construction through to energy use and end-of-life disposal.
Aldourie Castle and cottages are now heated sustainably through a Biomass District Heating system, replacing individual oil-fired boilers and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels to almost zero. Gate Cottage uses a Ground Source Heat Pump, and we are continuously exploring renewable energy solutions for the future. This shift to sustainable energy is part of our long-term commitment to decarbonising the estate.
WILDLAND SUTHERLAND
Across the vast landscape of north Sutherland, we are restoring peatlands, allowing our woodlands to naturally regenerate by reducing herbivore impacts, ensuring our aquatic habitats and species which live within them are thriving, fostering a harmonious relationship with the land. Our team here continue to work hard restoring forgotten buildings, including a special space at the heart of the community in Tongue—Burrs of Tongue—ensuring it remains a vital hub for the future.
Allowing Farming & Nature to Co-exist
In North Sutherland, we’re proud to be the custodians of three ecologically rich and historically significant farms. Our mission is to honour their deep-rooted heritage while embracing a low-intensity, nature-led approach to farming. By prioritising biodiversity and habitat regeneration over output-driven practices, we aim to create a landscape where wildlife can flourish—producing sustainable byproducts like beef, lamb, and wool along the way. Over the past year, we’ve taken steps to enhance these habitats, including large-scale rush cutting to restore open grasslands for wading birds, the creation of wader scrapes for feeding and nesting, and selective gorse removal to support diverse flora and fauna. Our focus also extends to supporting rare species such as the great yellow bumblebee through pollinator-friendly habitats. Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our efforts with projects like planting herbal leys and species-rich grasslands that nourish both livestock and wildlife, continuing our journey toward truly harmonious land stewardship.
Restoring the Heart of the Flow Country
We are making steady progress in protecting and restoring one of Scotland’s most ecologically important landscapes—the Flow Country—a vast expanse of fragile blanket bog and peatland recently inscribed as a UNESCO world natural heritage site. As part of our 2023–2025 restoration programme, supported by the Scottish Government’s PeatlandACTION Fund and delivered with NatureScot, Bidwells, and a local contractor, we’ve restored around 175 hectares by blocking 35 kilometres of drains and reprofiling 12 kilometres of old peat cuttings—early steps already helping to rewet the land and support biodiversity. Alongside this, we’re encouraging the natural regeneration of native broadleaf trees that have long clung to inaccessible slopes, protected only by their remoteness. With reduced grazing pressure from deer and the removal of sheep from the hills, these trees now have a chance to spread, gradually restoring woodland ecosystems. While this work takes time, peatland and woodland restoration are vital tools in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, and we’re committed to doing our part.
These projects are just the beginning. Each small step brings us a little closer to a healthier planet. We’re grateful for your support—whether you choose to get involved, visit our landscapes, or simply follow our journey. We wish you all a wild and wonderful Earth Day.
Celebrating UNESCO recognition for the Flow Country
Today’s confirmation that the Flow Country has become Scotland’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed for its globally important ecosystem has been warmly welcomed by Wildland’s Chief Executive Tim Kirkwood.
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has approved the bid at its congress in New Delhi, awarding the designation, reserved for places of special cultural, historical or scientific significance, for the Flow Country’s outstanding universal value in ecosystem quality and processes.
Tim Kirkwood commented:
“Congratulations to everyone involved in this very special moment of celebration. Securing UNESCO World Heritage Site status is a huge achievement for the Flow Country Partnership after so many years spent carefully building the scientific, economic and community cases for inscription.
“Its success is perfect testament to a shared vision for this beautiful, unique, fragile, diverse landscape and the determination of community representatives, businesses, scientists, conservationists, politicians and others to see the Flow Country’s global significance recognised and its future guaranteed.”
The Flow Country World Heritage bid was brought forward by the Flow Country Partnership (formerly the Peatlands partnership), a broad group representing a wide range of stakeholders in the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland. Wildland has helped to fund and guide the project alongside The Highland Council, NatureScot and RSPB Scotland.
Cairngorm Connect Success at Nature of Scotland Awards
It was a tremendous occasion celebrating Nature Conservation in Scotland. We were delighted that Cairngorm Connect received the Landscape Regeneration Award in recognition of what the partnership has achieved since inception in 2014.
As a founding member of Cairngorm Connect, Wildland along with RSPB, Nature Scot and FLS has collaborated to multiply our conservation efforts across the wider Cairngorm National Park. The Partnership is now entering a new phase and we look forward to continuing our work with and seeing the environmental rehabilitation grow from strength to strength.
If you want to know more about the Cairngorm Connect and get involved in the various volunteer projects please don’t hesitate contact a member of the Wildland Conservation Team at conservation@wildland.scot.
Electrofish Monitoring on Northern River Catchments
To describe the process simply, an electrical current is put into the water which temporarily disables the fish so they are able to be easily collected with a net. The fish are then placed gently into a bucket containing an anaesthetic solution. Once they are under anaesthesia, they are carefully measured and a small scale sample is taken, this is then sent away to a lab to determine exactly how old the fish is. After hatching, juvenile salmon can remain in their natal river until they are up to 5 years old before beginning their first migration to the sea. Discovering how old each fish is in comparison to its size, can give us lots of important information such as how well the fish has been feeding, which is an indicator of how healthy the overall ecosystem is.
When done properly, electrofishing causes no harm to the fish and is a valuable tool in determining how productive our river systems are.
We are delighted to report that at almost all survey sites there appeared to be strong numbers of juvenile salmon around, which we are extremely relieved about given the notably hot and dry conditions we experienced earlier in the year.
One of the scientists even said, referring to our Kinloch River “It doesn’t get any better than this”, considering the terrifyingly concerning reductions in salmon numbers that many other UK rivers, and beyond are facing, this statement is extremely reassuring for us to hear.
We hope that this positive trend continues again next year. Meanwhile, we will continue to do our best to protect our fish and improve their freshwater habitats.
Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey
We pride ourselves on the protection, and conservation of the land, the animals and the communities across our estates, so to see one aspect of the 200 year vision being celebrated, created a real sense of pride for us all at Wildland.
Our fellow Wildlander Ronan Dugan, who is part of the conservation team, who undertook the count, says;
“It has been a unprecedented season for hen harriers in Wildland Cairngorms with 11 successful nests rearing an estimated 41 chicks. This is a true testament to our dedicated landscape scale habitat restoration work on the ground that we are now seeing the recovery of a threatened species such as hen harriers.”
If you missed the show when it originally aired, you can watch it On Demand in the UK via BBC iPlayer or through the following link.
We hope that you will be inspired to see these magnificent birds thriving in Wildland Cairngorm.
Bringing beavers back to the Cairngorms National Park
The Park Authority is working closely with a range of partners and land managers on a carefully considered proposal to translocate beavers from the Tay catchment to the upper Spey catchment. The release sites are at Rothiemurchus, Wildland Cairngorms and RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes.
Beavers are considered ‘nature’s engineers’ with an incredible ability to rework, restore and re-naturalise the landscape, helping combat climate change and boost biodiversity. From coppicing riverside trees to damming smaller water courses, creating narrow canals and rich wetlands, beavers create the ideal habitat for wildlife to thrive, as well as slowing the flow of water which reduces flood risk downstream.
Following a series of informal ‘Beaver Blethers’ back in March, the Park Authority and partners are back out on the road to speak with residents, farmers, business-owners, fishery interests and other groups as part of the formal six week public engagement process, which runs from 14 August to 25 September. The information gathered at this second series of ‘Beaver Blethers’, will help inform the licence application to NatureScot.
The events will be taking place from 2-7pm and are as follows:
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– 17 August – Kincraig Hall, open to the general public
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– 23 August – Nethybridge Hotel, open to fishing interests
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– 30 August – Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie, open to the agriculture sector as well as members of the public
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– 7 September – Inverdruie House Tipi, Aviemore, open to local business interests
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– 13 September – Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey, open to the general public
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– 19 September – Aberlour Hotel, open to fishing interests as well as the general public.
Dr Sarah Henshall, Head of Conservation at the Cairngorms National Park Authority said: “Working with land managers, we aim to release beaver families in three locations in the Upper Spey catchment. In collaboration with land managers and communities we then plan further releases within the catchment over the next few years to ensure there are enough for a viable population. Our beavers will be coming from the Tay Catchment and will be trapped under licence by The Beaver Trust. They will go through health checks in a zoo – and if we get the go ahead from NatureScot – they will then be transported to their release sites in the Cairngorms National Park soon after.
“We need to apply for a licence from NatureScot as beavers are a European Protected Species. To be successful in this application we need to show that there is enough suitable habitat for a self-sustaining population of beavers to live in the Park; that there are land managers willing to have the first beavers in the Park released on their land; that we have a Management Plan identifying any issues that beavers may cause and outlining solutions to minimise or avoid any unacceptable impacts to protected or valuable habitats; and that there is a majority of supportive public opinion. Over the next six weeks we’ll be hosting lots of opportunities for local communities to share their views in meetings, events, and an online survey.”
Three local land managers have come forward to be involved in the project. One of those is Rothiemurchus. James Grant for Rothiemurchus said, “Beavers have become re-established in Scotland, and they are modifying the landscape. We support this plan for the Upper Spey and are pleased that there may be a suitable site for an early reintroduction within Rothiemurchus Forest. We look forward to considering the views expressed in the formal engagement, and if it proceeds, working with the support and advice of the Park Authority and NatureScot to implement any mitigation.”
Wildland Limited is also set to host a family of beavers. Thomas MacDonell, Director of Conservation for Wildland Limited said, “Our habitat restoration work over the last 20 years has resulted in one of our sites being considered suitable as a beaver release site, this is a welcome recognition of our contribution to a healthier environment. We are looking forward to welcoming beavers to the Spey catchment as it is expected that they will bring many positive outcomes.
“Others may be less sure, perhaps they are concerned about potential negative outcomes for them, this is why this engagement process is extremely helpful. At Wildland Cairngorms we support both the relocation and the engagement.”
Furthermore, RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes was identified as being highly suitable for beavers. Karen Birkby, the Site Manager, said, “As part of our long-term vision for Insh Marshes – to improve the functioning of the river Spey and its floodplain for nature and people – we’ve been really keen to get beavers back. They are fantastic animals with the ability to provide many benefits to other wildlife and the nature reserve is really suitable for them. So we were delighted to offer it up as one of the initial release sites. We are looking forward to continuing discussions with our neighbours as part of the wider engagement and are hopeful that, by the end of next year, beavers will be making their new home here with all the benefits that will bring.”
Depending on the results of the engagement process, the first beaver family could be released in late Autumn of this year. Sandy Bremner, Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board, said: “Beavers will bring benefits to the Park’s natural environment and, in future, they could also provide an economic boost in the form of ecotourism.
“Where there are concerns, it is very important that they are aired. I would urge anyone with an interest in finding out more, or making their views known, to take part in the formal public engagement process. This is a highly significant moment for the Cairngorms National Park, with plans to return a lost species after 400 years.”
For more information or to make your views known, please go here: www.cairngorms.co.uk/beavers