Friday October 9th 2026
Beavers on Tweed
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The restoration of beavers to the River Tweed is a “bad idea”, an East Berwickshire councillor has warned.
Beavers on Tweed is a local non-profit organisation supporting evidence-based beaver restoration, balanced public information and constructive engagement across the Tweed catchment.
The group welcomed Scottish Borders Council’s recent discussion on the future of beavers in the Tweed catchment.
Councillors agreed an holistic approach to restoring the river, including more riparian woodland, and stating that natural recolonisation from neighbouring river systems was preferable to earlier human intervention.
But East Berwickshire independent representative James Anderson has cautioned against any moves “forcing beavers on the people”.
Mr Anderson cited the concerns raised by such organisations as the River Tweed Commission and Tweed Foundation over the restoration of beavers to the river.
He said: “Our farmers rely on field drains, flood banks and good riverside land.
“National Farmers Union Scotland’s members on Tayside have dealt with collapsed flood banks, blocked drains and dozens of dams to clear, often at their own cost.
“NFUS still say no releases should happen until mitigation is fully funded and losses are covered. That hasn’t happened.
“For our anglers the Tweed’s salmon and sea trout depend on reaching the burns where they spawn. The River Tweed Commission and Tweed Foundation warned in the past beaver dams could block that access.
“Scottish Borders Council has already said that natural colonisation is better than deliberate release. I’d go further: no translocation onto the Tweed.
“Simply put, do we have nothing better to worry about and spend money on than forcing Beavers on people?
“Let’s concentrate on what matters and what government and local government should be focused on. Stop this silliness and make life affordable. The last thing we need to focus on are beavers.”
Mr Anderson has encouraged East Berwickshire residents to express their views – for or against beaver translocation – through a new survey.
Beavers on Tweed is inviting residents, farmers, land managers, anglers and others to share their views – positive, negative or undecided – through its public survey at http://tweedbeavers.scot/about/your-views/.
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