Seven beavers released in Glen Affric

Watch the moment a family of beavers return to the wild

Seven beavers have been released at a loch in Glen Affric National Nature Reserve in the north-west Highlands.

The animals were relocated to Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin under licence from Tayside, where illegally-released beavers have been blamed for damaging farmland.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), which manages the 43,500-acre reserve, has been working with Findhorn-headquartered Trees for Life on the initiative since 2022, supported by the Beaver Trust.

A family of five beavers and a beaver pair were released at two sites last week.

The beaver is a brown furry mammal with short ears and a black nose. The beaver is slowly entering water.Beaver Trust

One of the beavers, a female, enters the water at Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin

Beavers died out in the wild in Scotland 400 years ago.

Since a trial at Knapdale in Argyll began in 2009, the animals have been legally reintroduced to a number of locations including Loch Lomond and the Cairngorms.

There have also been a number of illegal releases over the years.

A map of the Highlands showing the locations of Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin, Loch Ness and Inverness.

Glen Affric, near Cannich, is a large area of woodland, lochs, hills and mountains.

FLS said the release of the beavers had followed a "long and thorough" process.

North region manager Alex Mcleod added: "Fully engaging with the local Affric communities, including through a detailed consultation process, has been crucial in making sure that all voices were heard."

Trees for Life chief executive Steve Micklewright described the project as a "moment of wildlife history".

He said: "We're proud to have worked with FLS on this community-focused initiative.

"FLS has undertaken vital habitat restoration work in Glen Affric over many years and shown real leadership in nature restoration by reintroducing this important habitat-creating, biodiversity-boosting, flood-preventing animal."

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  1. The kit is light brown in colour with short ears and a black nose. It is swimming through water.
    Trees for Life

    A family of five beavers and a pair of beavers have been released at Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin

Scotland's nature body NatureScot granted a licence in August for the release of four family groups of beavers to the waters above Beinn A' Mheadhoin dam, following an application by FLS last December.

FLS said beavers created wetlands that benefit other wildlife, purify water and reduce flooding.

It added that the animals could bring economic benefits to communities through eco-tourism.

FLS has set up a beaver community mitigation and monitoring group to liaise with local communities, and visitors to the area.

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