At least two baby beavers have been born in an area of the Scottish Highlands, the first such births in the region for four centuries. The beaver kits were spotted at Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin in Glen Affric, around 15 miles from Loch Ness, following a reintroduction project run by Trees for Life and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). The kits are in good health and are estimated to have been born in May or June.
Success after centuries
Tobias Leask, a beaver management officer for Trees for Life, said: “These beaver kits symbolise a wildlife success story four centuries in the making, and how nature can recover when we give it a chance.” He added that seeing them for the first time was unforgettable and described it as “witnessing history”.
The births come after a family of five beavers and a beaver pair were released at two sites in Glen Affric National Nature Reserve in October 2025, with another four beavers released in February.
Encouraging signs
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, head of restoration at Beaver Trust, said: “The arrival of these kits is a very encouraging indication that the beavers have settled well into their new surroundings and are establishing themselves as a healthy, breeding population.” She praised the careful planning and monitoring that made the successful adaptation possible.
Eurasian beavers were hunted to extinction in Scotland in the 16th century and were reintroduced in 2009.
