Scottish Government Allocates £100k to Control Urban Gulls Ahead of Inverness Summit

The Scottish Government has announced a £100,000 fund to help councils tackle the growing problem of disruptive urban gull populations, which have increased in towns and cities despite declines along the coast. Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie is chairing a summit in Inverness with local officials, NatureScot, and community groups to discuss coordinated approaches including deterrents like lasers, noise, roof spikes, and netting to prevent gull nesting. NatureScot chair Professor Colin Galbraith emphasized that gulls have adapted to challenges such as climate change and food shortages by moving into urban areas, and the funding aims to support proactive plans balancing conservation and control. However, the funding and summit have faced criticism from Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Ross, who called the amount "pitiful" and expressed frustration over exclusion from the summit and the perceived inaction of SNP ministers amid worsening gull issues. Ross also renewed calls to separate NatureScot's dual roles in bird protection and control licensing. The dispute has heightened political tensions following a recent ministerial resignation linked to this issue.