Permission has been requested for the traditional guga hunt to take place this summer off the coast of Lewis. The annual hunt, which dates back to the 15th century, involves ten men from Ness in north Lewis travelling 40 miles to the uninhabited rocky island of Sula Sgeir. There, young gannets, known as guga, are captured from open cliffs using a pole and noose, then gutted, salted, and preserved in brine.
Tradition and Legal Framework
The birds historically formed an essential part of the winter diet for the people of Ness, but today guga is regarded as a delicacy by some, though it is described as an "acquired taste." Sula Sgeir is home to thousands of pairs of breeding gannets, making it a significant seabird colony.
NatureScot, the agency responsible for issuing licences for the hunt, confirmed in a report published on Thursday that it is currently assessing a new application. The report stated: "We have now received an application for a 2026 licence which we are currently assessing. The NatureScot board has confirmed that it will take the decision on whether to grant the licence when the assessment has been completed."
Previous Licence and Activist Opposition
Last year, NatureScot granted a licence allowing up to 500 birds to be killed, and a total of 485 were culled during the 2025 hunt. The practice has drawn increasing opposition from animal rights activists. In March, protesters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament, with tape over their mouths and signs reading "Don't silence us," as a petition to end the guga hunt surpassed 100,000 signatures. Activists expressed concerns that the petition would be delayed by the Holyrood election in May. The Public Petitions Committee is currently considering the petition.
Legal Exemption Under Wildlife Act
While killing wild birds in Scotland is generally illegal, the guga hunt benefits from a legal exemption under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This exemption specifically allows gannets to be taken from Sula Sgeir for human consumption, in accordance with historical tradition. The licence application for 2026 remains under review by NatureScot.
