Red Squirrels arrive in Dundonnell

Red squirrels were last seen in the north and west Highlands about 30 years ago. That is all set to change with an experimental re-introduction scheme that has seen 32 of the creatures moved to the Dundonnell Estate near Ullapool.

The project has been planned by the estate’s owner, Sir Tim Rice, and is being undertaken through a licence scheme with Scottish Natural Heritage. The estate has permission to move 50 squirrels from number of location in the East Highlands to the Dundonnell estate. Some of the squirrels have been settled immediately in their new wild home, while others have spent time in specially constructed enclosures to give them a chance to acclimatise. The experiment is being closely monitored by SNH and the results will be used to inform decisions on any other similar projects. In the long term it is hoped that a viable community of red squirrels will be established to create a refuge as the grey squirrel, which spreads a deadly pox virus to the reds, continues to move northwards through Scotland.