A Trees for Life and Beaver Trust project exploring the return of beavers to the Loch Ness area
A community discussion looking at the potential for beaver reintroduction to the Loch Ness area is being run by Trees for Life in partnership with Beaver Trust. The community and stakeholder engagement will gather views on the opportunities and concerns that might come with the native species coming back to some of the beaver-friendly waterbodies close to the loch between Fort Augustus and Lochend. A feedback form is available further down this webpage for sharing your thoughts.
→ Read our press release here.
Loch Ness area
The Loch Ness area was identified by NatureScot in 2022 as one of Scotland’s most suitable catchments for beavers. It offers an extensive network of beaver-friendly habitats, including wetlands, freshwater and more than 3,000 hectares of suitable woodland, with low risk of negative impacts and high potential for nature restoration.
The last beaver record in Scotland tells of them around Loch Ness, as featured in the Chronicles of Scotland from 1526: “Beside Lochnes, quhilk is xxiv mills of lenth, and XII of breid, ar mony wild hors; and, amang thame, ar mony martrikis, bevers, quhitredis, and toddis.” Translation: “Beside Loch Ness, which is 24 miles in length and 12 in breadth, are many wild horses; and among them are many martens, beavers, weasels, and foxes.”
The Scottish Government actively supports the expansion of the beaver populations in Scotland.
→ Scotland’s Beaver Strategy can be read here.
→ NatureScot’s assessment of translocation of beavers to the Great Glen can be read here.
→ NatureScot’s report on the most suitable catchments for beavers in Scotland can be read here.
Research
The feasibility of relocating beavers to the Loch Ness area has been reported on specifically by Dr Alan Puttock, and Dr Roisin Campbell Palmer from the Beaver Trust.
→ The feasibility mapping and modelling supporting the project can be read here.
→ Our full FAQS can be read here.
→ Key beaver reference material relating to Scotland can be found here.
Involving the local community
Thanks to everyone who came to the Ness Beaver Project drop-in events in September and October. It was really useful to meet so many people, to have the opportunity to listen to your views and to get your feedback in writing. We’ve started working through the feedback to see if there are interest groups we should look to engage more closely. We’ll also be meeting with different people on the ground to discuss any concerns and explore the opportunities that a beaver return could bring. Once we’ve spoken with more people in the local area and considered next steps, we’ll provide an update. We’ll also share details of more in-person drop-in events where you can share your views. In the meantime, please continue to share your thoughts and queries via the feedback form and beavers@treesforlife.org.uk.
Feedback and support
For more information and support, please email beavers@treesforlife.org.uk
Trees for Life’s Beaver Management Officer, Tobias Leask, is available to provide on the ground support and advice.
→ Share your thoughts on the Ness Beaver Project by completing the feedback form here. Please note: the online feedback form will remain open until Monday 15 December.
Working with
The Ness Beaver Project is a partnership project between Trees for Life and Beaver Trust.
It has been made possible thanks to our generous donors and supporters, and funding from the Fred Foundation, Forest Peace Foundation and the Rewilding Innovation Fund (Rewilding Britain).
