Beavers: Lochaber communities invited to discuss reintroduction

As Scotland continues its efforts to establish beaver populations in new catchments under its National Beaver Strategy, the consultations will offer information and gather local views on the benefits and concerns that would accompany the species’ return to the area.

Loch Abar Mòr is a nature restoration partnership bringing together land managers, communities and businesses from across Lochaber. Its partners share an ambition to restore and reconnect a thriving network of natural habitats, to return more wildlife to the landscape, and to create new social and economic opportunities for the region’s communities.

The consultations will follow the process outlined in the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations and could lead to an application to NatureScot for a licence to release beavers into the catchment.

‘These drop-in sessions are about sharing information and hearing from those in Lochaber who may be most impacted by the return of beavers,’ says Abel McLinden, Partnership Manager for Loch Abar Mòr. ‘A key aim is to understand their views, and discuss the effects beavers could have, as well as what could be done to manage them in a way that supports the interests of farming, fishing and waterways, while realising the ecological benefits they bring.’

The partnership is keen to hear from as many people as possible, and will be promoting the consultations via its website, social media and a postal flyer being delivered across the region.

‘Beavers are nature’s engineers,’ adds Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust. ‘By re-naturalising the landscape, they regulate water flows and build resilience to extreme weather, helping us adapt to climate change. In restoring these habitats, they also have huge potential to boost biodiversity.

‘This is the first step on a journey towards exploring how a wild beaver population could thrive in Lochaber, and expanding Scotland’s beaver population into appropriate areas, in line with Scotland’s Beaver Strategy,’ she continues. ‘Any subsequent application to NatureScot to reintroduce the species must include a management plan to track their progress, which would be developed with the feedback from the local consultations.’

Professor Jill Robbie, Chair of the Scottish Beaver Advisory Group and Deputy Chair of NatureScot, said: ‘Scotland’s Beaver Strategy aims to increase the current range of beavers in Scotland, restoring them to suitable parts of the country, with appropriate management and mitigation where necessary. We welcome the launch of this consultation which is aligned with the implementation of the strategy. It is vital that local communities and stakeholders are engaged, and views considered, to ensure any translocation is a success.’

As one of the last known locations of beavers in Britain before they went extinct in the 16th century, Lochaber offers abundant, ideal habitat for the species – slow-moving watercourses, native woodland and extensive wetland areas providing both food and building materials.

‘Scotland has lost more of its native wildlife than almost any other country,’ continues Abel. ‘The return of beavers elsewhere in Scotland is gradually helping to restore balance and breathe new life into our landscapes. We need to be seeing this at a much larger, landscape-scale across the country, but it’s essential that this happens in a considered, responsible way that addresses people’s questions and concerns.’

The beaver consultations will be held on Monday 13 July, 11.30am–4.30pm at the Nevis Centre, Fort William; Wednesday 15 July, 2–7pm at the Memorial Hall, Roy Bridge; Tuesday 21 July, 2–7pm at Kilmallie Community Centre, Corpach; and Wednesday 22 July, 2–7pm at Spean Bridge Community Centre. A special screening of Balancing the Scales, a visually stunning documentary from Beaver Trust, will also take place on Monday 13 July at the Highland Cinema, Fort William. Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.

Interested members of the public who cannot attend are invited to share their feedback via an online form which can be found at www.lochabarmor.scot/lochaber-beavers. The consultation process will continue beyond July and include face-to-face meetings, a series of drop-in events, and wide-ranging discussions with the local community and stakeholders. For more information, visit www.lochabarmor.scot/lochaber-beavers.