Environment Life

Beavers released into Highlands hailed as “wildlife history”

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October 29, 2025
3 min read

Beavers released into Highlands hailed as “wildlife history”

After NatureScot granted a license in August, beavers have been released into a highland glen in what is being hailed as “wildlife history” for the animal. The license was granted for the release of four family groups to the waters above Beinn a Mheadhoin dam in the Glen Affric national nature reserve (NNR) in the north-west Highlands.

The first two releases were of a pair and a family of five beavers, taking place on 24^th October. The mammals were driven to extinction in Scotland 400 years ago. An initial reintroduction trial at Knapdale in Argyll began in 2009, and beavers have since been released in other areas.

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The Glen Affric release comes following three phases of “extensive consultations,” according to LBC, with local communities as well as land managers. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages the 17,604-hectare NNR. It has worked with Trees for Life on the scheme since 2022 and is supported by Beaver Trust.

“As we saw the beavers released into the loch, we were watching a moment of wildlife history, offering hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and a better future for biodiversity and people,” Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s chief executive, 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.”

Holyrood announced in 2016 that they would be allowed to stay in Scotland. In 2019, they were recognised as a protected species. Before release, they were housed at a specialised holding and quarantine facility at Five Sisters Zoo for health checks.

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