The white-tailed sea eagle is now thriving in Scotland due to a reintroduction programme over the last 35 years.

The white-tailed sea eagle, Haliaeertus albicilla, is the UK’s largest bird of prey. They became extinct in Scotland early in the twentieth century due to hunting. The reintroduction programme, which began over 35 years ago, has now established more than 40 breeding pairs across Scotland.

They were introduced on Mull in 1980 and have now become a major tourist attraction on the island. A loch side hide enables visitors to view the sea eagles at the nest, and locals monitor the nest sites to ensure they are not disturbed.