NatureScot refuses 2026 guga hunt licence over gannet population concerns
The Men of Ness may reapply next year under current wildlife laws, despite calls for a permanent ban
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Only one named source (NatureScot) and no independent corroboration.
Higher is stronger
No affected parties or opponents quoted beyond OneKind CEO.
Higher is stronger
Headline overstates refusal as definitive, despite licence possibility.
Lower is better
Scotland’s nature agency has blocked the 2026 guga hunt on the remote island of Sula Sgeir, 40 miles north of Lewis. NatureScot’s board refused the licence on 3 August, after concluding the hunt could harm gannet populations. The decision affects the Men of Ness, a group from north Lewis who have conducted the hunt annually for centuries.
The hunt involves taking young gannets, known as guga, from cliffs using poles and nooses. The birds are then gutted, salted, and preserved in brine. NatureScot assessed the application against wildlife laws and commissioned an updated population model to predict the hunt’s impact. The agency found potential adverse effects even at a reduced limit of 500 birds, down from the requested 2,000.
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Legal framework leaves door open for future hunts
NatureScot’s decision does not prevent the Men of Ness from applying for a licence in future years. The Wildlife and Countryside Act recognises the hunt, requiring the agency to consider applications based on scientific evidence. Colin Galbraith, NatureScot’s chairman, thanked officials for handling the process “professionally, impartially and with integrity” after the board’s vote.
Animal welfare groups, which have staged protests against the hunt, welcomed the refusal. OneKind’s chief executive, Jason Rose, said the decision would spare thousands of young gannets this year. He added that the birds would avoid “the emotional toll of disruption to their lives, families and communities”. OneKind had previously submitted evidence on the hunt’s welfare risks.
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The Scottish Government must change the law so that this outdated practice, which causes so much harm, is ended for good.
Jason Rose, OneKind chief executive
Campaigners push for permanent ban
Rose called for legal reforms to close what he described as a “loophole” in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. While the 2026 hunt is now blocked, the current law allows for future applications. NatureScot’s refusal was based on the latest scientific evidence, including a population model assessing the hunt’s impact. The agency did not rule out approving a licence in subsequent years if new evidence emerges.
The guga hunt has been a tradition in Ness since the 15th century. Ten men typically travel to Sula Sgeir each year to conduct the hunt. Environmental groups have long opposed the practice, arguing it is cruel and unnecessary. The Scottish Government has not indicated whether it will review the legal status of the hunt following NatureScot’s decision.
What happens next
The Men of Ness may submit a new licence application for 2027 or later. NatureScot will assess any future applications under the same legal framework. OneKind and other campaign groups are expected to continue lobbying for changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Act to ban the hunt permanently. No timeline has been set for a potential legal review.
Questions this report answers
+Why did NatureScot refuse the 2026 guga hunt licence?
NatureScot refused the licence on 3 August after assessing the hunt’s potential adverse impact on gannet populations. An updated population model showed possible harm even at a reduced limit of 500 birds, leading the board to reject the application.
+Can the Men of Ness apply for a guga hunt licence again?
Yes, the Men of Ness may reapply for a licence in future years. NatureScot’s decision does not prevent new applications, as the hunt is recognised under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which requires the agency to consider each request.
+What do campaigners want to change about the guga hunt?
Animal welfare group OneKind wants the Scottish Government to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act to ban the guga hunt permanently. They argue the current law allows for future licences, despite evidence of harm to gannets.
+How many gannets could have been taken in the 2026 hunt?
The Men of Ness applied to take up to 2,000 young gannets. NatureScot’s assessment found potential adverse effects even at a reduced limit of 500 birds, leading to the licence refusal.
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