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Otter licences - Land management

Otters spend much of their time on water; they are found all round the Scottish coastline and throughout inland rivers and lochs and are even found in our biggest cities.  They don't spend all of their time in the water though, and they can use land well away from water.  Tree roots often provide natural cavities that can be used by otters, but they also utilise man-made structures such as sea defences or gaps in bridges.  These structures are protected even when the otters are not using them.

Most land management practices are unlikely to affect otters or their holts, couches, etc.  However, if you think works you are proposing might affect them, and if those impacts cannot be avoided and the work might otherwise result in an offence being committed, then it may be possible to get a licence to carry out the work proposed.  Licences can only be granted subject to strict tests being met. 

Contact the Scottish Natural Heritage species licensing team for advice or look at these guidance documents: 

and then download an application form for European Protected Species  Word document .