Taking to the Tay offers a chance to see Scotland’s most recently reintroduced species up close…
UNTIL relatively recently, beavers were a species of animal that lived in Scotland long, long ago – but not any more. Since the 2009 trial introduction of a small group of European beavers at Knapdale Forest in Argyll, and their unofficial reintroduction in Perthshire, beavers have been secretly making new homes on Scotland’s waterways – and I’m about to go looking for the elusive ones who live on the River Tay.
“I see beavers 70% of the time when I’m kayaking in the east of Scotland,” says Outdoor Explore’s Piotr Guden, who is originally from Poland and moved to Scotland in 2014 after working all over the world as an outdoor instructor.
“I’ve been watching the European beavers who live in the Perth area for over a year now and although they’re still far from being common, if you know where and when to look, and you’re patient, there’s a good chance you’ll spot one.”
Piotr’s beaver-spotting expertise has tempted me to take part in a Canoe Beaver Safari, which I had fully expected to involve paddling along a secluded loch high in the Perthshire hills in the early hours of the morning. However, Piotr has asked me to meet him at 6pm at a pontoon on the banks of the Tay, only a few minutes’ drive from Perth.
“Kayaking is one of the best ways to spot a beaver as you barely disturb the water and make very little noise,” explains Piotr. I climb into a double kayak with Danièle Muir of Perthshire Wildlife, who regularly teams up with Piotr to share her expert knowledge about the animals, birds, insects and fish that can be seen on a Beaver Safari.
Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra November 2017-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The Bliss Of A Bothy
After a strenuous walk, a mountain shelter can offer all you need
The Long Way Round
When you can only just see the stepping stones under a river in spate, it's time to re-think the route, as two Highland adventurers found out
The New Oyster Cult
A community is helping to restore the once rich biodiversity of Loch Craignish, one species at a time
A Poet's Sanctuary
Hidden on a hilltop, writer Dominic Cooper is inspired by the wild, stormy winters of the Ardnamurchan peninsula
A Rural Housing Crisis
Across Scotland, locals are being priced out and crowded out - but communities are now working hard to address the issue
A Historic Centre
Glasgow's Mercat Cross may not be as old as it appears but it's still seen many changes, along with an ebb and flow in prosperity
A Bird With A Brain
Jim's encounters with the raven in several northern countries have only increased his respect for its intellect and ingenuity
The Warrior King
On the 750th anniversary of his birth, Robert The Bruce's legacy as cultural keystone and historical enigma continues to fascinate
All Going Swimmingly
From Tutti Frutti to Shetland, Monarch Of The Glen to Granite Harbour, Dawn Steele's heart will always be in Scotland - and the sea
Following The Coos
The latest charity art trail aims to a-moos-e and delight visitors to Perth and Kinross this summer
