We took part in a beaver site visit and talk for local tourism providers, run by Scottish Beaver Trial and Heart of Argyll on Thursday 28th February to learn more about the 12 beavers; 4 families across four sites, who live in the Knapdale are of Argyll, 16miles south of loch Melfort, since being re-introduced to the area in 2009 after extinction. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative tour and we would certainly recommend a visit to see where they live. There were no beaver spots today, although we did see their dam and plenty of signs of their existence; the best time to visit to see them for yourselves is before sunrise or after sunset, although seeing the signs of life is pretty exciting too!
The Scottish Beaver Trial is a unique conservation project taking place right here in the Heart of Argyll. Wild beavers have been reintroduced back into Scotland after being extinct in the UK for over 400 years. It is the first official project of its kind in Britain and a groundbreaking five year trial to explore how beavers can survive in Scotland and what effects they may have on the local environment and economy.
Four beaver families are now living in Knapdale Forest and visitors can explore this stunning woodland and spot the signs of beaver activity, including felled and regenerating trees, stripped branches (look out for teeth marks!) and a beaver dam.
Over Easter, tours will be held by the Beaver Trial Tuesdays 2nd and 9th April and Saturdays 30th March, 6th and 13th April. During the summer month’s tours are run Tuesday evenings 28th May – 27th August and Saturday evenings 25th May – 24th August which depart at 6pm from Barnluasgan Information Center in the heart of the Knapdale area. £2 per adult and £1 per under 16’s. Booking essential.
Check out the Beavers on Youtube