Fresh calls for guga hunt to be banned, as islanders launch bid for summer licence

Fresh calls have been made from wildlife campaigners against the centuries-old Guga hunt on the remote island of Sula Sgeir, where every year as part of a tradition hundreds of flightless gannet chicks are killed for meat.

The practice dates back to the 15th century, with last year’s hunt seeing the harvest of 500 Guga baby chicks from their nests, which are regarded as a delicacy in some parts of the Outer Hebrides.

Campaigners argue that the clubbing and strangling of birds is needlessly cruel, particularly as seabird populations continue to be diminished from bird flu.

NatureScot, which is responsible for deciding if a licence can be awarded for the cull, has confirmed an application has been made for a so-called Guga hunt this year and those in favour it’s an addition to island crofting and fishing culture.