On October 27, 2025, a family of five beavers and a beaver pair were released at two sites on Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin in the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve in the northwest Highlands. The relocation of these beavers, under license from agricultural land in Tayside, is expected to have a positive impact on the landscape and biodiversity of the area.
The initiative, led by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and Trees for Life, has been in the works since 2022 and is supported by Beaver Trust. The project has gone through three phases of extensive consultations with local communities and land managers.
Alex Mcleod, North Region Manager for FLS, stated, “Beavers being translocated to Glen Affric is the culmination of a long, exacting and thorough process for FLS and Trees for Life. Fully engaging with the local Affric communities, including through a detailed consultation process, has been crucial in making sure that all voices were heard.”
He added, “This high degree of local consultation has helped put in place processes to discuss any necessary mitigation, and to address concerns raised by those not in favor of beaver introductions. We are establishing a group to oversee ongoing monitoring to inform management decisions in the months and years to come, and I would hope that the beavers eventually become an integral and unremarked part of Glen Affric.”
Steve Micklewright, Chief Executive of Trees for Life, also expressed his pride in the community-focused initiative, stating, “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.”
NatureScot granted a license 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. The first two releases, of the beaver pair followed by the family of five, took place on October 24.
Beavers play a crucial role in creating wetlands that benefit other wildlife, purify water, and prevent flooding. They also bring economic benefits to communities through eco-tourism. However, they can also create localized problems, and the project partners have put measures in place to address these issues quickly.
FLS has established a Beaver Community Mitigation and Monitoring Group to act as a focal point for community and visitor liaison. This group, which includes NatureScot, will also work on developing educational opportunities with local schools, the wider community, and visitors to the area.
Tobias Leask, Trees for Life’s dedicated Beaver Management Officer, will engage with the whole community to ensure that locals can enjoy and benefit from the return of the beavers through a well-managed process.
The translocation to Glen Affric was carried out by Dr. Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, who said, “Beavers are a powerful ally in turning the biodiversity crisis around, and we’re delighted to have carried out this important reintroduction to one of Scotland’s most famous glens.”
She added, “Each new catchment we restore beavers to brings Scotland closer to its 2045 goal of a nature-rich, resilient future. Responsible, well-considered translocations like this are helping re-establish a healthy, connected beaver population across the country.”
Before being released in Glen Affric, the beavers underwent health checks at a specialized beaver holding and quarantine facility at Five Sisters Zoo.
Local resident Malcolm Wield expressed his support for the reintroduction, stating, “Beavers benefit a wide range of different species including trees, plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish, other mammals, and birds. This is a good result for us, our children, our grandchildren, and future generations. Congratulations to all involved.”
The reintroduction of beavers in Glen Affric is in line with Scotland’s national beaver strategy and a Scottish Government directive calling on public agencies to seek reintroductions of the species on state-owned land outside of existing beaver range.
Once widespread in Scotland, the Eurasian beaver was hunted to extinction for its pelt, meat, and musk oil. Records indicate that beavers may have survived in small numbers until the 16th century. Beavers are now a protected native species and were first reintroduced to Scotland in 2009.