South Scotland golden eagle project scoops prestigious prize

The scheme has taken the local population of the iconic bird in the region to the highest number recorded since the early 19th century.

The groundbreaking South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project last week scooped the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Tony Bradshaw Award for Outstanding Best Practice.

Michael Clark, chairman of the initiative’s board, said it was “delighted” to pick up the accolade.

“This is testament to the hard work of our pioneering project team and the support of all our partners – from ecologists, raptor experts, vets, funders, landowners and land managers to 14,000 plus community volunteers and special project participants,” he said. “From taking the local population of golden eagles to the highest number recorded here since the early 19th century to creating the UK’s first Golden Eagle Town and Festival in Moffat and opening the first mainland Eagle Information Point in Philiphaugh, the work of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project team really is exemplary and has become a beacon for wider support for sustainable conservation management in rural communities.”

Earlier this year it was revealed that the project was the first in the UK to successfully translocate free-flying young golden eagles to boost low population numbers. These new additions brought the total number of golden eagles in the south of Scotland to around 33.

The released eagles have all settled in south of Scotland, with frequent sightings of interactions including with other native eagles.

Partners RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Forestry, NatureScot and the Southern Uplands Partnership, worked on the project together for more than 11 years before releasing the first eagle chicks in 2018.

The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, partners and the Scottish Government.

Heritage fund director for Scotland Caroline Clark said: “Thanks to National Lottery players we were able to support this project with a £1.5m grant. We continue to work closely with projects that we fund so our team have seen first-hand what a success this partnership is proving to be, and how much communities across the South of Scotland have embraced and supported the new arrivals. It is fantastic that they have been presented with the Tony Bradshaw Award, well deserved recognition of the work being done by everyone involved in the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project to protect Scotland’s outstanding wildlife and landscapes.”