Saturday September 26th 2026
Beavers on Tweed
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A motion put before Scottish Borders Council this week supporting the return of beaver wetlands to the Tweed was rejected.
Presented by Neil MacKinnon, Green Party councillor for Galashiels, the motion asked the 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.
But members supported an amended motion from Lib Dem councillor Euan Robson which “recognised that the eco-system of the River Tweed is fragile, can be easily damaged and requires co-ordinated action rather than support for single-issue campaigns, however worthy.”
Speaking in the debate Mr Robson said: “Beavers will return to the Tweed in time, and they will be very very welcome but now is not the time and nor should the issue be forced.”
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