Rachael Hamilton MSP calls upon the Scottish parliament to protect the Langholm-Newcastleton Goats

This week through the second reading of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill 2025, Rachael Hamilton will put forward an amendment to put the Langholm-Newcastleton Goat onto Schedule 5 of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.

If agreed by parliament then this would be a landmark ruling and provide the ancient herd of goats the protection that more than 13,000 people are calling for in a public petition.

This herd of wild goats is directly descended from the first goats brought to the Britain by Neolithic herds-people more than 4000 years ago. It represents a pristine example of this ancient type and is therefore very rare and of national significance.

The goats are not indigenous to Scotland but have lived here and co-existed with the other upland wildlife with which they share their haunts for a very long time. So long in fact that no one can actually pin point when they first were living as wild animals.

Although the Wildlife and Countryside Act does not exclude non-native animals from being protected under Schedule 5, these goats would be the very first example. Their safeguarding under the Act would therefore be momentous.

If this level of protection were achieved it would mean that landowners within the 30,000 acre home range of the herd would no longer be able to undertake ad hoc, uncoordinated culls. NatureScot, the government nature conservation agency, would ensure sensitive management through a herd conservation management plan. Landowners would not be allowed to act outside the agreements of the plan and all future culls would only be undertaken under licence issued to landowners by NatureScot.

The Wild Goat Conservation Trust is giving its full support to Rachael Hamilton`s amendment. It demonstrates that not only is Scotland embracing its heritage and biodiversity but also listening to its people. If accepted in principle, it would be a great day for democracy in Scotland.