Actress Dame Judi Dench and actor Sam Heughan have named two recently fledged golden eagles as part of a conservation initiative in the south of Scotland. The birds, named GoldenEye and Sassy, are among five golden eagle fledglings hatched this summer through the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, an effort led by the charity Restoring Upland Nature.

The project aims to restore and support golden eagle populations in the region, with four of this year’s fledglings being direct descendants of birds that were translocated to the area as part of the conservation work. Officials overseeing the effort noted that the increasing number of fledglings indicates the local golden eagle population is approaching a self-sustaining status, marking a significant milestone for the species’ recovery in Scotland.

Dame Judi Dench, known for her role as M in the James Bond film series, named one of the birds GoldenEye, referencing the 1995 Bond movie. Dench remarked on the connection by saying, “As the first female M, I instructed James Bond to ‘find GoldenEye’ and here he is.” Sam Heughan, a lead actor on the television series Outlander and founder of the Sassenach whisky brand, chose the name Sassy for the other fledgling. He described the opportunity to name a golden eagle as a special honor and a symbol of hope for the future of this majestic species.

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project focuses on habitat restoration and species monitoring to support the continued growth of golden eagles in the area. By working to reverse historic declines caused by habitat loss and human disturbance, the initiative contributes to broader conservation goals for the upland ecosystems of Scotland. The recent naming event highlights both the ecological progress achieved and the ongoing public engagement essential to sustaining these efforts.