A prominent Scottish estate has been stripped of its right to freely control wild birds after forensic teams discovered compelling evidence of wildlife crime linked to a missing golden eagle. NatureScot, the country’s nature agency, announced a three-year suspension of general licenses for Raeshaw Estate and Watherston Wood in the Scottish Borders following the “sudden disappearance” of a satellite-tagged eagle named Merrick.
The decision comes after a grim discovery in the Fountainhall area, near Stow. Police investigators found golden eagle blood, feathers, and shotgun cartridge wadding at the bird’s last known location, painting a disturbing picture of persecution against one of Scotland’s most iconic species.
The Vanishing of Merrick
Merrick was not just any bird; she was a symbol of hope for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP). Translocated in 2022 from the Rottal Estate in the Angus Glens, she was named after the highest peak in the Southern Uplands and was intended to help bolster the fragile local population.
Her journey ended abruptly in October 2023. Satellite tracking data showed her thriving and exploring the region until her tag suddenly went silent.
The forensic evidence recovered by Police Scotland was damning:
- Biological Trace: Confirmed golden eagle blood and feathers were found at the scene.
- Ballistic Evidence: Shotgun cartridge wadding was discovered alongside the biological remains.
- Timeline: The materials were found at the exact location where Merrick’s tag last transmitted.
This physical evidence transformed a missing bird case into a wildlife crime investigation, leading authorities to conclude that the raptor had almost certainly been shot and killed.
NatureScot’s Strict Punishment
In a move described as a “proportionate response” to the evidence, NatureScot has suspended the use of general licenses on the Raeshaw Estate and Watherston Wood until January 2029.
General licenses are a standard tool for land managers. They allow for the control of common “pest” species—such as crows and magpies—to protect crops, livestock, or other wild birds without needing to apply for specific permission. Losing this privilege is a significant operational blow to any estate.
Chris Dailly, NatureScot’s head of licensing, explained the gravity of the decision:
“We have decided, in discussion with Police Scotland, to suspend the use of general licenses on this land for three years. The police have recorded Merrick’s disappearance as a crime and have provided robust evidence to NatureScot to support this.”
Dailly emphasized that while the suspension is punitive, it does not prevent all land management. The estate can still apply for individual licenses, but these will now come with rigorous strings attached:
- Strict record-keeping requirements.
- Mandatory reporting of all activities.
- Close monitoring by regulatory officials to ensure total compliance.
Estate Denies Wrongdoing
The Raeshaw Estate has reacted with fury to the suspension, labeling the decision “wholly unjustified” and vowing to launch a vigorous appeal. A spokesperson for the estate insisted that there is no proof linking their employees to the crime.
The estate’s defense relies on three key arguments:
- Location: They claim Merrick’s last known position was not on land owned or managed by Raeshaw, but in a nearby wood accessible to other shooting parties.
- Zero Tolerance: The estate asserts it has a strict policy against raptor persecution and is fully committed to respecting nature.
- Support for Eagles: They highlighted their past cooperation with the SSGEP, noting that they have frequently welcomed eagles foraging on their land.
“We share the frustration felt by many about Merrick’s disappearance,” the estate statement read. “But there is no evidence the estate or any of its employees were in any way responsible.”
They further noted that a police investigation concluded nearly 20 months ago without charging any employee. The estate argues that punishing them now, based on location proximity rather than direct culpability, is a miscarriage of justice.
A Crisis for Scotland’s Eagles
The suspension at Raeshaw occurs against a backdrop of rising concern for birds of prey in the Scottish Borders. Just days before this announcement, police launched an appeal regarding another golden eagle, Hamlet, who was shot in the region.
Hamlet, a four-year-old male also released by the SSGEP, was discovered injured by a gamekeeper on the Stanhope estate in January 2026. X-rays revealed shotgun pellets in his wing. Fortunately, Hamlet survived and has since been released back into the wild after veterinary treatment.
The two incidents paint a worrying trend:
- Merrick (Missing Oct 2023): Presumed dead after blood and shotgun wadding found.
- Hamlet (Shot Jan 2026): Survived a shotgun blast in the same wider region.
These attacks threaten to undermine years of conservation work aimed at restoring the golden eagle population in southern Scotland, which had previously dwindled to dangerously low numbers.
Conservationists argue that satellite tagging is exposing the true scale of persecution. When tags stop suddenly or birds are found filled with lead, it suggests that the rugged hills of Scotland are still a dangerous frontier for these protected raptors.
The coming months will determine whether the Raeshaw Estate’s appeal can overturn the suspension or if NatureScot’s crackdown marks a new era of zero tolerance for wildlife crime on sporting estates.
