The eagle has landed… line-up revealed for first festival celebrating national bird
A festival is to take place later this year celebrating the eagle, Scotland’s national bird.
Moffat Golden Eagle Festival in the Borders, the first of its kind dedicated to the bird of prey, has unveiled its inaugural programme.
The week-long celebration is the brainchild of the team behind the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, a conservation initiative that aims to restoreathrivingpopulationof the birds in the region.
Running from September 19 to 26, it will offer a diverse rangeofeventsfocusedonwildlife and the environment with offeringsforallages.highlights include educational walks, raptor identification courses, talks by renowned bird of prey experts, live music, a wildlife photography workshop and a family fun day.
Thefestivalwillalsoshowcase pioneeringwaysinwhichlandowners and managers, residentsandvisitorscanhelpgoldeneaglestoflourishinsouthern skies once again.
The programme also offers events and activities delivered by a range of leading wildlife groups, including RSPB Scotland, Naturescot, Scottish Forestry, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, Wild Eskdale and the Scottish Raptor
Study Group. Wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan will deliver the festival’s first virtu“notonlywillthefestivalbring alkeynotespeechaboutgolden eagles and other Scottish wildlife on Friday September 24. He said: “I’m delighted to be part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project’s first-ever Goldeneaglefestivalandtosupport their important conservation work to ensure golden eagles once again flourish in southern skies.
“The thrill of seeing a golden eagle soaring over a Scottish hillside is an unbeatable experience.
“Each glimpse of this magical bird is special, but they should and could be more common in the south of Scotland.”
Cat Barlow, project manager for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, said: “Support from forestry and land managers, local communities, funders,volunteers,raptorspecialistsandotherparticipantsis absolutely vital in helping us to ensure golden eagles continue to grow in numbers and thrive in the area.”
The festival has been made possible due to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Caroline Clark, the National Lotteryheritagefund’sdirector for Scotland, said: “The Golden Eagle Festival is yet another innovative way in which the Southofscotlandgoldeneagle Projectishelpingcommunities learn about this awe-inspiring bird of prey and the role it plays in Scotland’s biodiversity.
new visitors to discover this beautiful part of Scotland, but itwillhelpsafeguardthegolden eagle’s existence for future generations.”
Leys Geddes, chair of tourism agency Visit Moffat, welcomed thetown’sroleinsupportingthe project and hosting the festival.
He said: “The Moffat hills are often described as mini-highlands, owing to our 300 square kilometresofhills,outstanding sceneryandrichwildlife,sothe perfect area for golden eagles to thrive.
“It would be wonderful to ensure they become a regular sightingforvisitorstothearea.”