Where the Eagles Dare Again
In the ancient folds of Scotland’s Highlands, where the wind whispers through heathered hills and pine forests, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Aerial silhouettes once thought lost to time—golden eagles, hen harriers, goshawks—are once again carving arcs across the skies. These are not mere birds in flight; they are emblems of resurgence, testament to a nation’s collective push to heal the wounds of its wild past.
At the heart of this comeback lies the Cairngorms National Park. Within it, the WildLand Cairngorms estate—spanning a remarkable 600 square kilometers—has emerged as a sanctuary for these majestic raptors.
Since 2019, its restoration team has been running a rigorous, data-driven monitoring programme. Using GPS tags and field observations, conservationists have followed the flight paths, nesting patterns, and survival rates of birds long considered vulnerable or missing. The results are extraordinary, not just for science, but for the soul.
Every Chick Counts: A 100% Success Story
The statistics from WildLand’s efforts tell a powerful story. In 2022 and 2023, every single monitored hen harrier nest on the estate successfully fledged chicks—a remarkable 100% success rate. In an era of ecological uncertainty, such outcomes are rare, and profoundly hopeful.
Golden eagles, those regal icons of Scottish wilderness, have also shown signs of steady recovery. Their numbers on the estate rose from four breeding pairs in 2021 to seven by 2023. Meanwhile, goshawks—once ghostly absentees from the region—returned in 2021 with two breeding pairs recorded, marking a revival after decades of silence.
Ronan Dugan, a field ecologist at WildLand Limited, reflected on the work with heartfelt pride: “When we see hen harriers repeatedly choosing our regenerated moorlands as nesting grounds,” he shared, “it shows we’re not only restoring habitats—we’re making them resilient, dynamic ecosystems again.”
The People Behind the Birds
Behind every data point and satellite signal is a network of passionate people. These are the quiet heroes of Scotland’s rewilding story—scientists, volunteers, and land managers whose daily efforts are turning dreams into flight paths.
Among them is Dave Anderson of the Scottish Raptor Study Group (SRSG), whose four decades of unwavering commitment to raptor conservation earned him the RSPB’s Species Champion Award. His leadership has pioneered new techniques in tracking and protecting birds of prey, and he has mentored many who now carry his mission forward.
Then there are stories like that of Roy Dennis—conservationist, author, and founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation—who, at 82 years old, scaled a cliff on the Dundreggan estate to construct an artificial nest. Suspended by ropes and guided by hope, he succeeded in luring a golden eagle pair to breed there for the first time in 40 years. The resulting chick was not just a biological success, but a symbol of perseverance, imagination, and love for the wild.
Wings Across Borders: A Tale of Reciprocity
Scotland’s raptor story is not confined within its borders. It’s connected to an international effort to safeguard species and share ecological wealth. In recent years, conservationists from Natural England began sending red kite chicks to Spain—a heartening gesture of reciprocity. Decades ago, it was Spanish birds that helped reintroduce the species in the UK.
Ian Evans of Natural England recalled those early exchanges: “When we reached out in the 1980s, the Spanish were generous with their support. Now, being able to give back—it’s an emotional and meaningful act of solidarity in conservation.” These cross-border initiatives reflect a powerful truth: the fate of wildlife depends not on one nation, but on shared commitment and collaboration.
WildLand and the Broader Rewilding Vision
WildLand is just one star in a growing constellation of rewilding projects lighting up the Scottish landscape. Across Argyll, Sutherland, and the Cairngorms, estates are being transformed into havens for biodiversity. Rivers are being returned to their natural courses, forests replanted with native species, and degraded peatlands carefully restored.
The momentum recently gained a dramatic boost when an anonymous donor gave £17.5 million to the Scottish Wildlife Trust to rewild the 7,618-hectare Inverbroom estate. Plans include re-establishing Atlantic rainforests, regenerating native woodlands, and creating sanctuaries for lynx, pine martens, and of course, raptors. These aren’t just environmental investments. They are emotional ones—expressions of national identity, cultural heritage, and hope for future generations.
The Challenges Still Soaring Above
Yet the skies aren’t without shadows. Scotland has committed to restoring 30% of its natural environment by 2030, a bold pledge that demands real action across sectors. Francesca Osowska, the outgoing CEO of NatureScot, issued a sobering reminder: “We’re making strides, but we cannot rest. Restoration must be integrated into everything we do—housing, agriculture, policy. Nature cannot be an afterthought.”
There are still threats—illegal persecution of birds of prey, habitat loss, climate instability, and fragmented landscapes that prevent raptors from expanding their range. While funding has increased, so too has the need for strategic, sustained investment and community involvement.
Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves
What’s happening in Scotland isn’t merely ecological—it’s existential. As raptors reclaim their rightful skies, they invite us to reimagine our place in the web of life. Each wingbeat overhead offers a moment of reflection on what is possible when restoration replaces extraction, and when empathy informs policy.
The benefits are rippling through nearby communities. Birdwatching tours, wildlife photography retreats, and eco-tourism lodges are bringing new livelihoods. Schools are incorporating rewilding visits into outdoor education, and landowners—once skeptical—are embracing regenerative agriculture and ecosystem services.
Raptors don’t just fly. They balance ecosystems, influence prey behavior, and signal a thriving, interconnected web of life. When they soar, entire landscapes respond with vibrancy.
Technology Meets Tradition
What makes Scotland’s model especially powerful is its blend of innovation and tradition. Advanced satellite tagging has revolutionized raptor conservation, helping ecologists monitor migration routes, nest sites, and survival trends in near real-time.
Yet, this is complemented by traditional land knowledge—from gamekeepers who’ve walked the same glens for decades to crofters who know the rhythms of the moors. These insights often lead researchers to nests that technology alone might overlook. This harmony between the digital and the ancestral is what gives Scotland’s rewilding story its special strength.
An Invitation to Other Nations
Scotland’s success has not gone unnoticed. From the Carpathians to the Rockies, landscapes around the world are exploring similar pathways to restoration. Delegations from Norway, Canada, and Brazil have sought guidance from Scottish NGOs, including Rewilding Britain and Trees for Life.
The message is clear: rewilding works, and it’s scalable. With the right mix of community engagement, political will, and ecological insight, other nations too can restore their skies—and their spirits.
Final Thoughts: A Sky Rewritten
Not long ago, to see a golden eagle in the wild required not just patience but hope against odds. Today, in many parts of rewilded Scotland, sightings are becoming normal. That shift—from rarity to routine—reflects a deeper change in our relationship with nature. We are no longer mere spectators. We are stewards, storytellers, and co-creators of a wilder, more balanced future.
So the next time you find yourself on a Highland trail, pause and look up. That shadow overhead might be a hen harrier or a golden eagle, but it’s also something more—it’s the shape of possibility, of healing, of a country daring to dream wild again.
Sources:
The Guardian
Positive News
