NatureScot officials have advised refusing a licence for this summer's traditional guga hunt on Sula Sgeir due to potential impacts on the gannet population and animal welfare concerns. The board will meet next week and could instead approve a reduced take of 2,000 or 500 birds. After a three-year suspension for bird flu, a licence for up to 500 birds was issued last year, with 485 taken in 2025. Campaigners and charities have welcomed the recommendation, and more than 104,000 people have signed a petition calling for a ban.
NatureScot Advises Refusal Of Centuries-Old 'Guga' Hunt Licence On Sula Sgeir
A team of hunters go to the small island of Sula Sgeir to kill young gannets [BBC]
NatureScot officials have recommended refusing a licence for this summer's traditional guga hunt on Sula Sgeir, citing potential impacts on the island's gannet population and animal welfare concerns. The agency's board will meet next week to decide whether to accept that recommendation or to permit a reduced take.
The guga hunt, a practice dating back to the 15th century, takes place on Sula Sgeir, a remote rocky island roughly 40 miles (64 km) north of Ness on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Historically, local islanders have harvested young gannets for food during an August season.
A protest was held outside NatureScot's headquarters during a meeting of the agency's board earlier this month [BBC]
In an advisory report produced while assessing the latest application, NatureScot said its officials recommend refusing a licence this year because of the possible effects on the colony and because of animal welfare considerations. The board can instead vote to authorise a reduced hunt of either 2,000 birds or 500 birds, or to refuse permission entirely.
Last year, after three seasons were suspended because of bird flu, NatureScot issued a licence allowing up to 500 birds to be taken; 485 were taken in the 2025 hunt. The agency told the public it bases licensing decisions on the most recent scientific evidence and the applicable legal framework, including provisions in the Wildlife and Countryside Act that specifically refer to gannets on Sula Sgeir. NatureScot said it would not make further comment until after the board meeting.
[BBC]
Public Reaction and Campaigning
Animal welfare groups have welcomed the recommendation to refuse a licence. Campaigners argue the hunt is no longer needed to provide food for islanders and that it raises serious animal welfare questions.
Devon Docherty, Scottish campaigns manager at Protect The Wild, said it would be 'a relief' if 2,000 young gannets were spared so they could 'spread their wings and fly'.
Jason Rose, chief executive of animal welfare charity OneKind, said: 'Since the licensing of the hunt resumed last summer, we have made the case for this grisly piece of history to be retired. No animal should have to suffer in the name of human tradition.'
Earlier this month, opponents of the hunt held a protest at NatureScot's headquarters in Inverness during a board meeting. More than 104,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Scottish Government to ban the hunt outright, and Holyrood's petitions committee is considering whether the issue should be debated by MSPs.
What Happens Next: NatureScot's board will meet next week to decide whether to refuse the licence, or to permit a reduced take of 2,000 or 500 birds. NatureScot has said it will comment after the decision is made.
Help us improve.
