Wildlife crimes action taken against Angus Glens estate

Evidence included three shot buzzards found on the estate in 2019

Police evidence of wildlife crime has led to the restriction of licences on Millden Estate in the Angus Glens for three years, NatureScot has said.

Three shot buzzards were found on the estate in 2019 and incidents relating to trapping offences were also recorded.

General licences allow landowners or land managers to carry out control of common species of wild birds.

NatureScot said the estate could still apply for individual licences.

However, it said that these would be subject to enhanced record-keeping and reporting requirements and would be closely monitored.

Millden Estate said it was "extremely disappointed" at the decision and intended to appeal.

A spokesman said it considered the estate was being unfairly penalised for events not within its control and for which it bore no responsibility.

Donald Fraser, NatureScot's head of wildlife management, said the sanction was a "proportionate response" to protect wild birds in the area.

He said: "The discovery of three shot buzzards on Millden Estate, two of which were found within a bag at an estate house, as well as trapping offences and ongoing concerns relating to general licence compliance, have resulted in the suspension of the use of general licences on this property for three years until March 2026.

"We will continue to work closely with Police Scotland and consider information they provide on cases which may warrant restricting general licences."

'Unfairly penalised'

A spokesman for Millden Estate said: "We were shocked at the time to learn of all allegations of wildlife crime against an employee of the estate. He was subject to an extensive investigation by the police and the Crown and dealt with.

"The employee involved was suspended by the estate with immediate effect and resigned a few days later when the police investigation was still at an early stage.

"At no stage was the estate itself the focus of the investigation."

There are currently four other similar restrictions in place in Scotland.

These are on Moy Estate in Highland, Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, Lochan Estate in Perthshire, and Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire.