White-tailed eagles soar again five decades after reintroduction to Scotland

White-tailed eagles are thriving in Scotland five decades after their reintroduction in 1975. Once hunted to extinction, the birds of prey now number over 200 breeding pairs and are commonly seen along the west coast, around Mull, and in the Cairngorms.

Reintroduced on the Isle of Rum, they have become a conservation success story. While some farmers report livestock losses, NatureScot provides guidance and support through a sea eagle management scheme.

The growing population has also sparked interest in reintroductions elsewhere in the UK.