Scotland is poised to ban the traditional hunt of baby gannets, known as the guga hunt, for the first time in centuries, following a recommendation from NatureScot, the Scottish government’s nature agency. The suggested prohibition concerns the annual cull carried out by men from the Ness district who travel to the remote island of Sula Sgeir, situated approximately 40 miles north of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

This practice, which dates back to the 15th century, involves harvesting young gannets to be pickled and consumed locally throughout the year. The guga hunt remains Britain’s last authorized seabird hunt and is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which permits an annual licence for the purpose of providing food for human consumption.

However, NatureScot officials have recommended that the board refuse this year’s licence application based on concerns about the potential impact on the gannet population and animal welfare considerations. The agency’s report rejected alternatives that would allow the harvest of either 2,000 or 500 birds, citing that while the smaller quota might be “unlikely” to harm the population, the risk margins were narrow and could undermine conservation efforts.

The proposed ban has been welcomed by animal welfare advocates, who have campaigned actively against the hunt, criticizing it on ethical grounds. Conversely, many local residents have condemned the protests, describing them as “nasty” and “abusive,” and expressing that they have caused distress in the community. In a letter to SNP ministers, locals emphasized the cultural importance of the guga hunt, underscoring its role in maintaining centuries-old societal traditions in a fragile island society.

Earlier this month, it emerged that over £110,000 of public funds were spent on repairing and improving security at NatureScot’s Inverness offices following vandalism attributed to anti-guga protesters, highlighting the tensions surrounding the issue.

NatureScot is scheduled to hold a board meeting next Monday to decide whether to officially ban the hunt this year. In a statement, the agency noted the contentious nature of the guga hunt and affirmed its duty to base licensing decisions on current scientific evidence and relevant legal frameworks. The outcome of the meeting will mark a significant moment in the long history of this traditional Scottish practice.