NatureScot

Court of Session

Legal action launched over 'unlawful' fox hunting licences

Beavers to return to waters around Loch Ness after 500 year absence

Puffins are found at the Bullers of Buchan

Puffins are found at the Bullers of Buchan

Climate Emergency

Nearly all of Scotland's puffins could disappear by 2050, scientists warn

John Swinney went for a reflective walk in Rannoch Moor where he captured a scenic picture of Loch Ossian for his Christmas card. Image: Damian Shields

John Swinney went for a reflective walk in Rannoch Moor where he captured a scenic picture of Loch Ossian for his Christmas card. Image: Damian Shields

Is nature agency merger penny-pinching or decisive action?

A gannet is seen flying in front of a colony of the seabird

A gannet is seen flying in front of a colony of the seabird

MSPs keep record-breaking petition to ban guga hunt open for further enquiry

File image of a beaver

File image of a beaver

Scots encouraged to learn more about beavers as population booms

The Torridon to Applecross route in Scotland

The Torridon to Applecross route in Scotland

Scotland’s newest national nature reserve revealed in major conservation boost

A gannet feeds a chick, known on Lewis as a 'guga'

A gannet feeds a chick, known on Lewis as a 'guga'

Scottish Government blocks historic island 'guga hunt' from going ahead

Plucking Guga feathers on the island of Sula Sgeir.

Plucking Guga feathers on the island of Sula Sgeir.

The Guga hunt is brutal but we should not denigrate the history behind it

A gannet is seen flying in front of a colony of the seabird

A gannet is seen flying in front of a colony of the seabird

Government set to block historic Scottish island 'guga hunt', files suggest

Video unearthed by wildlife campaigners showed three men taking part in a sack-race on the protected Scottish island of Sula Sgeir

Video unearthed by wildlife campaigners showed three men taking part in a sack-race on the protected Scottish island of Sula Sgeir

'Disturbing' video of men 'almost trampling' baby birds prompts watchdog action

Protests, such as this one at the Scottish Parliament, were held last year at ending the guga hunt

Protests, such as this one at the Scottish Parliament, were held last year at ending the guga hunt

Islanders hit out as anti-Guga hunt activists cost public over £110,000 in 2026

Campaigners are calling for NatureScot to implement protections for Lucklawhill

Campaigners are calling for NatureScot to implement protections for Lucklawhill

Scottish quarry expansion could be delayed as campaigners target protected status

Loch Carron, (pictured) has often had a 'rich' seabed population

Loch Carron, (pictured) has often had a 'rich' seabed population

Previously threatened population in Highland loch makes 'full recovery'

A gannet feeds a chick, known on Lewis as a 'guga'

A gannet feeds a chick, known on Lewis as a 'guga'

Scottish nature agency chief slams 'deeply disturbing' attack on HQ

Bird control licences suspended at Scottish estate for three years

Flapper skate underwater

Flapper skate underwater

Endangered fish returning to Scottish waters, study finds

A gannet feeds a chick, known on Lewis as a 'guga'

A gannet feeds a chick, known on Lewis as a 'guga'

Seabird 'blood sport' on remote Scottish island to remain legal despite protests

Loch Choire Estate in Sutherland allowed its deer population to reach such levels that in 2023, NatureScot stepped in to cull dozens of the animals

Loch Choire Estate in Sutherland allowed its deer population to reach such levels that in 2023, NatureScot stepped in to cull dozens of the animals

Deer management

Estate swallows £1.5m in public money despite deer failings

Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) male displaying in coniferous forest in spring. (Photo by: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images).

Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) male displaying in coniferous forest in spring. (Photo by: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images).

Deer management

Deer must be culled to save capercaillie and protected forestland, groups say

The reintroduction of beavers into Glen Affric represents a moment of wildlife history

The reintroduction of beavers into Glen Affric represents a moment of wildlife history

Reintroduction of beavers to Glen Affric is a victory for nature and democracy

The majority of local people are said to support the reintroduction, despite the views of land managers

The majority of local people are said to support the reintroduction, despite the views of land managers

Seven beavers released into Highland glen in major conservation project

Loch Wood in Lanark is one of four designated nature sites where habitat loss reversal efforts will take place

Loch Wood in Lanark is one of four designated nature sites where habitat loss reversal efforts will take place

Four Scottish nature sites named in efforts to reverse habitat loss

Police Scotland said that three men aged 45, 53, and 75 have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with damage at a Site of Special Scientific Interest

Police Scotland said that three men aged 45, 53, and 75 have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with damage at a Site of Special Scientific Interest

Internationally renowned geological site 'seriously damaged' as 3 men investigated

The weeks-old ponies vanished over a nine-week period this year

The weeks-old ponies vanished over a nine-week period this year

Probe launched after 'sea eagles' linked to disappearance of Shetland pony foals

Beavers are set to be rehomed near the River Beauly, near Inverness

Beavers are set to be rehomed near the River Beauly, near Inverness

Six beaver families to be released in Highlands

Since it was established in 2021, the £65 million Nature Restoration Find has supported almost 800 projects

Since it was established in 2021, the £65 million Nature Restoration Find has supported almost 800 projects

Scotland's national parks receive £6m to help in ‘global fight’ for nature

The Scottish Government has granted a licence to kill 500 gannet chicks in the first guga hunt for four years

The Scottish Government has granted a licence to kill 500 gannet chicks in the first guga hunt for four years

Scottish ministers urged to rethink license to kill 500 gannet chicks

The Scottish Government's nature advisers at NatureScot have been urged to visit the sites of recent wildfires in the Cairngorms

The Scottish Government's nature advisers at NatureScot have been urged to visit the sites of recent wildfires in the Cairngorms

Wildfires becoming 'danger to human life', Scottish Government warned

The agency said that more than 2000 crashes are reported in Scotland each year

The agency said that more than 2000 crashes are reported in Scotland each year

Drivers issued 'high risk' warning over deer collision hotspots this summer

Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister, speaks with the media

Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister, speaks with the media

Beaver release blocked after Kate Forbes stepped in and farmer lobbying

Beavers, which are native to Scotland, were wiped out in the mid-1600s after being hunted for their meat, fur and a secretion in their urine used in perfumes and medicines

Beavers, which are native to Scotland, were wiped out in the mid-1600s after being hunted for their meat, fur and a secretion in their urine used in perfumes and medicines

Farmer risked everything fighting for Scotland’s wild beavers

Adders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Adders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Decline of Scotland’s last venomous snake sparks conservation fears

Reaction to its controversial Glen Affric indecision has been brutal.

Reaction to its controversial Glen Affric indecision has been brutal.

There is something very wrong at the heart of NatureScot

Hedgehogs have proven a damaging and invasive species in the Outer Hebrides

Hedgehogs have proven a damaging and invasive species in the Outer Hebrides

‘Invasive’ hedgehogs to be evicted from Scottish island in world-first trial

A deer management control scheme has been implemented at a Scottish Highlands estate

A deer management control scheme has been implemented at a Scottish Highlands estate

Deer control scheme implemented at Highlands estate in Scottish first

It was initially hoped that beavers could be released into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin in the spring

It was initially hoped that beavers could be released into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin in the spring

Decision on beaver release in Scottish Highlands delayed amid concerns

Last month an investigation was launched following a report from a member of the public spotting a lynx in a woodland near Newton Stewart

Last month an investigation was launched following a report from a member of the public spotting a lynx in a woodland near Newton Stewart

Dumfries and Galloway

Update issued on possible lynx sighting near Scottish town

Police confirmed they are making enquiries after receiving a report of a badger sett being disturbed at Berryhills in Cowie on Tuesday, March 4

Police confirmed they are making enquiries after receiving a report of a badger sett being disturbed at Berryhills in Cowie on Tuesday, March 4

Dead badgers found on housing development as police launch investigation

The £2.4 million project aims to plant 14 hectares of seagrass, described as a wonder plant, over the next three years

The £2.4 million project aims to plant 14 hectares of seagrass, described as a wonder plant, over the next three years

Project to restore 'vital' seagrass around Scotland launches

The animals, which were released in the Uath Lochans area of the Cairngorms National Park on Monday, have now been located

The animals, which were released in the Uath Lochans area of the Cairngorms National Park on Monday, have now been located

Call for 'decisive action' to stop guerrilla rewilding as wild boars remain at large

A line of Scots Pines with the sun streaming through by the side of Loch Trool in the Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK; Shutterstock

A line of Scots Pines with the sun streaming through by the side of Loch Trool in the Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK; Shutterstock

Galloway National Park

Scottish council votes in favour of national park in south of Scotland

Wildlife is changing on Scottish shores

Wildlife is changing on Scottish shores

Climate change shifts biodiversity on Scottish shores, a study reveals

A scoping opinion for the wind farm has been submitted to Scottish Government’s energy consents unit, no word has been given as to when a response will be made.

A scoping opinion for the wind farm has been submitted to Scottish Government’s energy consents unit, no word has been given as to when a response will be made.

New wind farm plans for Cowal revealed despite objections

Dr James Thorburn with a spurdog

Dr James Thorburn with a spurdog

Groundbreaking sharks and skates study begins in Scottish waters

A Guernsey-based firm confirmed an application was submitted to use 19 dogs as part of its predator control plan

A Guernsey-based firm confirmed an application was submitted to use 19 dogs as part of its predator control plan

Fox hunting license to protect black grouse in Scottish Borders forest rejected

An example of peatland or blanket bog restored following human impact as Cairnsmore of Fleet is primarily a blanket bog

An example of peatland or blanket bog restored following human impact as Cairnsmore of Fleet is primarily a blanket bog

Thousands of trees planted on Scottish reserve to restore habitats and help climate

A gannet is chased by skuas

A gannet is chased by skuas

Report 'reveals the ongoing impact' of bird flu on Scottish seabirds

Five grey seals pups are born at Forvie NNR

Five grey seals pups are born at Forvie NNR

Nature reserve urges visitors to avoid seal colony this Christmas

House sparrow singing on a gutter (Ben Andrew/RSPB/PA)

House sparrow singing on a gutter (Ben Andrew/RSPB/PA)

NatureScot grants more than £1 million to biodiversity restoration projects

Ian and Eve with their NatureScot certificate for completing all 29 of Scotland’s Great Trails

Ian and Eve with their NatureScot certificate for completing all 29 of Scotland’s Great Trails

Girl, 10, becomes youngest to complete Scotland's Great Trails

The iconic capercaillie is facing extinction

The iconic capercaillie is facing extinction

Iconic species in Scotland under threat from breeding of game birds

Climate change could be the reason for the increase

Climate change could be the reason for the increase

Climate change sending butterflies to Scotland, research finds

The latest Scottish Biodiversity Indicator examines the long-term trend for butterflies since 1979

The latest Scottish Biodiversity Indicator examines the long-term trend for butterflies since 1979

Ten new butterfly species discovered in Scotland due to climate change