Where Highland Eagles Dare to be seen live on TV
Thanks to The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers live pictures of a Golden Eagle nest can now be seen at the Assynt Visitor Centre in Lochinver, Sutherland which is located within the North West Highlands Geopark.
A tiny CCTV camera is perched on a steep crag in a remote Highland glen in Assynt and the picture is beamed nearly 20km to the Visitor Centre. This will help viewers to experience what it must be like to get up close and personal with golden eagles.
The pioneering initiative by The Highland Council offers people the chance to become inspired by Golden Eagles which, as a top predator, play an important role in the upland ecology of the Highlands. The Golden Eagle was nominated as one of the “Big Five” in 2013, Year of Natural Scotland.
The Assynt Foundation, who manage the community-owned Glencanisp estate, were delighted the eagle has chosen to nest on their land. They have been keen supporters of the project from the start.
Ranger Andy Summers said: “As far as we know this is the only place in the UK where you can currently see live pictures of a Golden Eagle nest. Dare I say that even BBC Springwatch did not succeed with their Golden Eagle nest camera. Techniques at the nest site and the Visitor Centre are tried and tested having been used previously during live TV transmissions. However the distances involved mean we are at the cutting edge of radio link technology. The power for the camera also uses the latest methanol fuel cell technology.”
“We would like to thank the Assynt Tourism Group, the Assynt Foundation, Scottish Natural Heritage who funded the project and the many folk within the local community who devoted their time and energies to making the project become a reality. It will ensure people of all ages and abilities have the chance to witness intimate views of golden eagles without causing disturbance.”
Golden eagles number around 442 pairs from the last survey in 2003. Sadly they are at risk in some parts of Scotland for natural as well as human related reasons.
Local Councillor George Farlow, Vice Chair of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “We hope this Eagle Cam will help to stimulate eco-tourism in the area. In addition to the stunning landscapes of this area, it provides a new attraction for visitors. The rangers have worked with Lochinver and Stoer Primary Schools who helped build some of the eagle displays in the Centre. The project will help young people to understand the importance of conserving our golden eagles and the way their success as a top predator can give an indication of a healthy ecosystem.”
The project has been carried out with the appropriate licences and with advice from members of the Highland Raptor study group and has been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage.
The Assynt Visitor Centre is open daily 10am-5pm and 10am-3pm on Sundays and is free.
For more information contact: Andy Summers 01571 844654