Scotland’s Historic Guga Hunt Denied Licence Amid Conservation Concerns

The Guga Hunt: A Tradition Rooted in Survival and Culture

The guga hunt dates back to Viking times and has been practiced by the Men of Ness, a group of about ten islanders from the northern tip of Lewis. Each August, they travel to Sula Sgeir, a small, rocky, uninhabited island located 40 miles north of Ness, to harvest young gannets, known locally as guga. Historically, this hunt was essential for food security in a region where rough seas made fishing hazardous and the land offered limited agricultural opportunities.

According to historian Donald S Murray, author of The Guga Hunters, seabird hunting was a vital source of sustenance for islanders facing geographical and environmental challenges. The tradition has persisted despite changing times, with the guga meat described variously as tasting like a cross between kipper and steak or, less flatteringly, as 'rotten leather and fishy beef.' The hunt is not unique to Scotland; similar practices exist elsewhere, such as the sooty shearwater harvest in New Zealand.

Modern Regulations and the Role of NatureScot

Today, the guga hunt is regulated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which recognizes its cultural significance but requires hunters to obtain a licence from NatureScot. This public agency assesses applications based on scientific evidence and conservation considerations. In recent years, concerns about bird flu and the sustainability of the gannet population have led to the suspension of the hunt in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

For the 2026 season, hunters applied for a licence to take either 2,000 or 500 juvenile gannets. NatureScot commissioned updated population models and concluded that harvesting at either level could have an adverse effect on the gannet population. Consequently, the agency's board voted to refuse the licence, emphasizing their duty to base decisions on the best available science.

Arguments Against the Hunt: Conservation and Animal Welfare Concerns

Opponents of the guga hunt argue that it is no longer necessary for food security and that the methods used to kill the chicks are cruel. The traditional technique involves catching chicks with long poles fitted with nooses and killing them with a blow to the head, followed by gutting, plucking, and salting on the island before transport to Lewis.

Animal welfare organizations, such as Protect the Wild, have welcomed NatureScot's decision, describing it as a victory for compassion and science. Over 106,000 people signed a petition calling for the Scottish government to prohibit the hunt entirely. Campaigners also highlight the importance of protecting seabird populations, especially given the ecological pressures they face.

Supporters Defend the Hunt as a Vital Cultural Practice

Supporters emphasize the hunt’s deep cultural roots and its role in maintaining Gaelic traditions and communal identity. Agnes Rennie, chair of the local community land group Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, described the guga hunt as a centuries-old practice that connects families to their heritage and keeps ancient customs alive.

Historian Donald S Murray criticized the campaign against the hunt as 'monstrous,' arguing that food security remains uncertain in the region and that similar traditional hunts exist globally. Murdo MacRitchie of the Save Our Guga Harvest group acknowledged peaceful protest as legitimate but condemned bullying and vandalism directed at the small island community and NatureScot’s offices.

Proponents also question the scientific basis for refusing the licence, noting that projections for Sula Sgeir’s gannet population remain positive and expressing confusion over why a reduced harvest of 500 birds was not approved.

Balancing Tradition and Conservation: A Complex Challenge

The refusal of the licence for the 2026 guga hunt underscores the tension between preserving cultural heritage and ensuring ecological sustainability. Sula Sgeir and nearby North Rona are designated special protection areas due to their seabird colonies, including gannets and fulmars, which adds a layer of legal and environmental responsibility to any hunting activity.

NatureScot’s approach reflects a precautionary principle, prioritizing the protection of vulnerable wildlife populations while acknowledging the legal recognition of the hunt. The decision does not permanently ban the hunt but leaves the door open for future licence applications, contingent on evolving scientific assessments.

This case highlights broader questions about how societies value traditional practices in the context of modern conservation ethics and animal welfare standards.

What this means

The denial of the 2026 guga hunt licence by NatureScot marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue between cultural tradition and wildlife conservation in Scotland. While the hunt has provided sustenance and cultural continuity for generations, contemporary ecological challenges and animal welfare considerations have prompted a reevaluation of its future. Moving forward, constructive engagement between conservation authorities, local communities, and animal welfare groups will be essential to find a path that respects heritage while safeguarding vulnerable seabird populations. The guga hunt’s fate will likely continue to be a barometer for how societies negotiate the complex intersection of tradition and modern conservation imperatives.