What mechanisms are in place to ensure that the cultural significance of longstanding traditions, such as the Guga hunt, is considered when…

While there is no legal mechanism to take into account the cultural significance of the guga hunt when considering licence applications, the cultural importance of this activity has been recognised both by the Scottish Government and through the continuing specific provision that exists within the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to enable it to take place, subject to assessment by NatureScot as licensing authority. The Scottish Government has no current plans to change the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to remove this exception.In considering an application for a licence to take guga, NatureScot must assess any application in accordance with the existing legal framework and based on the most recent scientific evidence. Before granting a licence, NatureScot must conclude that the activity would not adversely affect the integrity of the North Rona and Sula Sgeir Special Protection Area, including the gannet population. Having considered the evidence, NatureScot decided that the licence application for 2026 should be refused due to potential population impacts. This does not prevent future applications from being made, and any such application would be considered in full.