It has been a soaraway success returning Golden Eagles to the skies above southern Scotland.  

But now an award-winning conservation project is facing facing the "imminent threat" of being wound down after its funding came to an end. 

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project has released an urgent appeal for help after they money it has relied on for years ran out. 

Using a range of pioneering techniques, such as translocating raptors from the Highlands, the conservationists have increased the iconic birds’ population in Dumfries and Galloway and The Borders to its highest number for more than 300 years.  

In just six years,  the number of golden eagles has risen from fewer than ten to nearly 50. One eagle has even flown into Northern England, raising hopes that the population could expand to other areas where the birds have long since disappeared.  

It is this success which has convinced them to keep going, despite their funding coming to the end of its lifespan  - but it will need £400,000 to keep going.  

The project is launching a public appeal to help secure its long-term future, and is putting plans in place to reintroduce golden eagles to other areas of the UK where the birds are currently extinct. 

The project was initially due to conclude this year, but the team behind it and its long-standing partners have developed new plans to harness their success and address the nature-climate crisis facing the UK.  

The project has helped dozens of eagles become established in southern ScotlandThe project has helped dozens of eagles become established in southern Scotland (Image: Phil Wilkinson)

The project now plans to launch as a standalone charity named RUN – Restoring Upland Nature - in 2025, so that other areas of the UK where the species has been missing for generations can benefit from their ground-breaking research and techniques. 

Launching the appeal, Project Chair Michael Clarke said: “The UK is facing an unprecedented nature-climate crisis, and restoration projects like ours are now more important than ever to reverse biodiversity decline.  

“We have had incredible success in the south of Scotland thanks to the support of community, partners and funders.  

“With enough new public donations, we can take these learnings to restore this iconic species to other areas of the UK.” 

He added: “There has been incredible excitement at our initial success, with golden eagles thriving across southern skies, and communities across the region benefitting environmentally, socially and culturally.  

“We’d love to keep this momentum going, but the public appeal we have launched today is absolutely crucial to making this a reality.” 

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Project Manager Dr Cat Barlow said: “We have great plans to build on and extend our ground-breaking work so that other parts of the UK benefit from the return of golden eagles. But we can only do this with public support.  

“Our current funding runs out at the end of this year, and we will need to wind down very soon unless we can raise more funds. 

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has, and can, support the vital work to restore golden eagles to the areas they once thrived. Every donation made will play a key part in reversing the UK’s biodiversity decline and ensuring current and future generations across the UK can experience that incredible sense of excitement - and hope - on seeing golden eagles soar.” 

Golden eagles are native to Scotland, but have vanished from many areas Golden eagles are native to Scotland, but have vanished from many areas (Image: Phil Wilkinson)

Previously funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), NatureScot, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Forestry, Southern Uplands Partnership and the Scottish Government, the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project was a key initiative under ‘Scotland’s Biodiversity.  

Original partners RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Forestry, NatureScot and the Southern Uplands Partnership, worked on the project together for more than 11 years before releasing the first eagle chicks in 2018.  

Winning numerous awards, the project has been celebrated by ecologists, conservationists and representatives for lands and estates across the UK as an outstanding example of good practice. 

Speaking about the Project’s success, Francesca Osowska, NatureScot’s Chief Executive, said: “The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project has inspired so many people – including me – boosting the number of eagles in the region enormously over the last six years. It is a brilliant example of partnership working between land managers, conservation and government agencies, and we thank everyone involved for their continued hard work and determination. 

“We’re passionate about returning golden eagles to the places where they used to thrive. With wildlife declining across the globe, this project is a vital part of the work taking place across Scotland to reverse nature loss and tackle the climate emergency.”