Scottish wildlife received a boost recently with a trial introduction of beavers. This is the first time beavers have lived in the wild in Scotland in 400 years. The five year trial launched at the end of May in Knapdale Forest in Mid-Argyll, a short drive from Loch Melfort Hotel, with the aim of partly restoring Scotland’s natural wildlife heritage, and to assess the benefits that beavers bring to the ecosystem.

Where beavers flourish in other countries, there has been an increase and recovery of other species. Because of their dam-building skills, they create slow moving areas of water and channels that break up the surrounding land which helps improve drainage and reduces the risk of flooding. It will be interesting to see whether the Knapdale beavers make a positive environmental impact.

For more information visit the Scottish Beaver Trial website.