A major rewilding initiative in the Scottish Highlands is celebrating a significant victory, with the range of native red squirrels expanding by more than a quarter over the past decade. The project, spearheaded by the charity Trees for Life, has successfully reintroduced the beloved species to areas from which they had been missing for decades.
A Decade of Rewilding Success
Surveys conducted by Trees for Life reveal that more than 12 new populations of red squirrels are now thriving and breeding in parts of the northern and north-western Highlands. This represents a range increase of over 25% since the charity launched its dedicated reintroduction project in 2015. Before these efforts, reds were largely absent from this region, with most last sightings recorded back in the 1970s.
The success is attributed to a carefully managed translocation programme. Licensed by NatureScot, the charity relocates small numbers of red squirrels from healthy populations in areas like Inverness-shire, Moray, and Strathspey. These animals are taken to suitable woodland habitats in the north and north-west, specifically chosen to be safe from the threat posed by invasive non-native grey squirrels.
Community at the Heart of Conservation
So far in 2025 alone, 259 red squirrels have been given a new home, moved to 13 new sites in the north-west Highlands. The process is meticulous: only a few animals are taken from each donor site to avoid impacting source populations, and donor sites are regularly rotated to ensure strong genetic diversity in the new colonies.
Becky Priestley of Trees for Life praised the community effort, stating: “Our local community volunteers have been at the heart of this project – from identifying donor sites, to helping with supplementary feeding and taking part in citizen science by reporting sightings and monitoring camera traps.”
The relocated squirrels are transported in comfortable, hay-lined nest boxes and released into areas rich in natural food and shelter. Supplementary feeding is provided for several months as they acclimatise to their new surroundings.
Future Plans and a Broader Vision
Thanks to these efforts, red squirrels can now be found as far north as Brora and Ullapool, south-west to Morvern, at several north-west coastal locations, and across suitable central Highland habitats up to Lairg. New populations have been successfully established in numerous locations including Shieldaig, Plockton, Lochaline, Golspie, and Arisaig.
With Scotland hosting around 80% of the UK’s remaining red squirrel population, this work is critical. The charity now aims to expand the red squirrels' range even further as a key part of its ambitious Missing Species Programme for the Highlands.
Launched in November with a £3.6 million goal, this programme aims to restore four of Scotland's "keystone" species. Alongside the red squirrel, the focus will be on lynx, beavers, and a breed of cattle considered a "modern-day aurochs." Trees for Life has launched a supporter appeal to raise an initial £25,000 to kickstart this wider initiative.
