Beavers Return to Glen Affric as First Seven Released Under Scottish Licence

Overview

• On October 24, a pair and a family of five were released into the waters of Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin within Glen Affric National Nature Reserve.
• An August NatureScot licence permits up to four family groups to be translocated to areas above the Beinn a Mheadhoin dam.
• The beavers underwent quarantine and health checks at Five Sisters Zoo before release.
• Forestry and Land Scotland and Trees for Life lead the initiative, supported by Beaver Trust, with a local monitoring group being established after extensive consultations.
• The animals were relocated under licence from Tayside farmland, with proponents highlighting biodiversity and flood‑management benefits as farming representatives press concerns and call for strong control options.