A motion is to come before Scottish Borders Council this week supporting the return of beaver wetlands to the Tweed – amid opposition from some environmental organisations.
The motion, to be presented by Neil MacKinnon, Green Party councillor for Galashiels, asks council to formally welcome the recent founding of local non-profit organisation Beavers on Tweed, which is working to build the evidence, partnerships and public understanding needed for beavers to return to the Tweed catchment.
Founded in January 2026 it supports the return of beavers to the River Tweed and its tributaries in the Scottish Borders and Northern England.
But fishing interests, such as the Tweed Commission and the Tweed Foundation, have raised concerns that beaver dams might obstruct migratory fish like salmon and sea trout from reaching spawning grounds.
Communities and land managers worry about damage to infrastructure like culverts, embankments, and roads, alongside the felling of valued riverside trees.
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Beavers on Tweed works to address and navigate these community-wide economic and ecological discussions.
Mr MacKinnon’s motion states: “Council notes that beaver wetlands have a potential role in the mitigation of flooding, wildfire and nature depletion, and that Scotland’s Beaver Strategy seeks to ensure that ‘communities across Scotland feel empowered to act in an informed way to promote beaver presence and their positive impacts, and to monitor and learn from the experience’.
“Council therefore formally welcomes the recent founding of local non-profit organisation Beavers on Tweed, which is working to build the evidence, partnerships and public understanding needed for beavers to return to the Tweed catchment.”
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