Scottish islanders refused permission to stage annual guga hunt
NatureScot has denied a license for the annual guga hunt on the uninhabited island of Sula Sgeir due to concerns regarding the impact on the gannet population. While animal welfare groups support the decision, local islanders argue that the tradition is a vital part of their cultural heritage.
Why it matters
The decision underscores the ongoing tension between preserving historical cultural practices and modern environmental conservation efforts.
Image caption, A team of hunters go to the small island of Sula Sgeir to kill young gannets
Permission has been refused for a guga hunt which would have seen hundreds of young seabirds killed on an uninhabited Hebridean island.
For centuries, gannet chicks have been hunted for their meat each summer on Sula Sgeir, a small rocky island 40 miles (64km) north of Ness on Lewis.
Modern hunts require a licence from public agency NatureScot, which rejected the application this year due to concerns about the impact on the gannet population.
Animal welfare groups have welcomed the decision, but supporters accused campaigners of "bullying" a small island community.
The decision to refuse a licence for Scotland's last remaining guga hunt this year was taken by NatureScot's board following a recommendation by officials.
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