Licence granted for historic return of beavers to waters around Loch Ness – 500 years after last sighting at world-famous loch - Beaver Trust

A licence for the historic reintroduction of beavers to the Loch Ness area has today (30 October) been granted to charities Trees for Life and Beaver Trust by Scottish government agency NatureScot – in the 500th year since beavers were last recorded at the world-famous loch.

The Ness Beaver Project will reintroduce at least 15 beaver family groups around Loch Ness over the next three years, with the first reintroductions potentially happening as early as next month.

Establishing a healthy population in the catchment through licensed releases will secure the species’ reintroduction to the Highlands and benefit communities, wildlife and biodiversity, say the two charities.