2021
Gleneagles' commitment to saving one of Scotland's well-loved mammals – our native red squirrel - spans 20 years.
Red squirrels have dramatically decreased in population primarily due to competition for food and living space by the invasive non-native, grey squirrel. Grey squirrels also carry Squirrelpox – a virus lethal to red squirrels, but not to greys.
There are estimated to be only 160,000 reds remaining in the UK, 75% of which are in Scotland. We've concentrated our efforts into effective action to protect them. There is a real threat of red squirrels disappearing from Scotland in our lifetime.
Protecting their habitat and providing extra food in the winter months has helped their plight. in addition, the squirrel crossing points are very effective at communicating their presence to the wider public.
Our long-term commitment to the conservation of red squirrels has increased the population and we now see them move freely across the wider estate.
