Welcome to The Thrill of The Hill. This is the third and final episode in our series exploring beaver reintroduction in Scotland. Across the last two episodes, we’ve looked at the challenges, concerns, and practical realities beavers bring to land management.

Today, we’re joined by farmer and rewilding advocate Tom Bowser from Lerrocks farm and we’ll be focusing on the other side of the story — the ecological case for beavers, the benefits they can bring, and what a future with more beavers in Scotland might look like.

Timestamps

02.28 Introducing Tom Bowser

07.28 Why are beavers worth having back in Scotland?

08.36 Beavers: ecosystem engineers and keystone species

12.40 Beavers, the most controversial animal that we have at the moment?

14.10 Practical benefits of beavers

22.03 Biodiversity and hairy bottomed handstands!

27.23 Balancing the benefits with the challenges

32.49 NatureScot beaver team and available assistance

37.04 Where are we likely to see beavers in the future?

43.08 Food production and nature restoration, not always opposing forces

FAS Resources

Thrill of the Hill Episode 12: A Damming Conclusion?

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a1a41750-26db-4341-8783-2aa9443a34c3

Thrill of the Hill Episode 2: A Damming Conclusion? Part II

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/34096505-af92-46c9-8a66-6ee445383126

FAS - Rewilding Beavers

FAS Farm Wildlife Walk

Other Related Resources

Argaty Red Kites – Rewilding Experiences in the Heart of Scotland

Tom Bowser – Nature Writer, Journalist, Public Speaker

Beavers in Scotland | NatureScot

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