Pine martens and licensing

Issues for homeowners

Pine martens can sometimes cause problems by using a house (usually the roof-space) as a den. Within dwelling houses, certain activities that would normally be offences are exempt.

In dwelling house, you do not require a licence to:

• to disturb pine martens to discourage them from using a house
• to block access points to a den site in a house
• However, there is a presumption against doing this during the breeding season (01 March to 31st August), unless it has been confirmed that the den is non-breeding i.e. not being used to raise kits. The non-breeding status must be confirmed by a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist/consultant. If you hear noises or see pine marten exiting and entering your property between February and August (inclusive), it is likely that you have breeding pine marten.

Kits will stay in the den for about six or seven weeks and are totally dependent on the mother. They will become actively mobile and venture outside of the den from about 8-12 weeks of age. It is at this point when a homeowner can exclude without the need of a licence.

Blocking access to den sites during the breeding season could separate dependent young from their parent and may result in offences such as injury and/or death, this would be a wildlife crime and would be reported to Police Scotland. 

For commercial properties, including short-term lets, a licence will always be required if an offence in relation to pine marten would be committed. This includes disturbing pine marten in their den and excluding pine marten from their den.

Living with Pine Martens: A guide to the pine marten in Scotland

Surveys, research and education

Basic pine marten surveys don’t require a licence, provided that you take steps to avoid intentionally or recklessly disturbing animals in their dens.

You should apply to us for a licence if this can’t be avoided or if scientific or research work could otherwise result in an offence in relation to pine martens.

To apply for a licence, email [email protected].

You should include:

• your name, address and telephone number
• full details of your project – covering what and who will be involved, and where and when
• a completed licence application reference form (if applicable)

If this is your first licence application for this activity, we’ll need two references from you. Your referees should be familiar with your work in this area and able to vouch for your competence.

Movement of animals

Any proposed translocations involving the licensed capture of wild pine martens in Scotland must comply with the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations.

Licence applications must:

• show effective liaison between the various different translocation projects
• detail measures to be implemented to protect the long-term viability of affected donor populations

We have provided a Restoring Britain’s pine martens joint statement, with Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, setting out the important issues that need to be considered for proposed conservation translocations.

Predator control

It’s illegal to intentionally or recklessly capture or kill a wild pine marten. But we may license the control of pine martens to conserve wild bird populations.

To apply for a licence, you must provide evidence that pine marten predation is causing a decline in a population. We must also consider the affected wild bird species in need of direct conservation action.

Download the Licence application form – to control predatory protected species for conserving wild birds

Social, economic or environmental purposes

A protected species licence application for development projects should not be made until the necessary planning permissions and consents are in place.  This should be considered when signing the relevant licence application declaration.

We can license activities for social, economic or environmental reasons (including development) that might affect pine martens, as long as:

• the licensed activity will contribute to significant social, economic or environmental benefit
• there is no satisfactory alternative
• there will be no significant negative impact on the conservation status of the species

Download the Licence application form – works affecting pine martens

Read the guidance on Licences for social, economic or environmental purposes

Read the guidance on Test 2 – No satisfactory alternative

If pine martens are likely to be present on or near to a site, we strongly recommend that a suitably experienced person conducts a survey. Where martens or dens are found, a species protection plan should be drawn up.

Possession of specimens

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 bans the possession of a dead pine marten or a part of one. But a licence isn’t required to possess a specimen if you can show that it was killed or taken legally.

Licence changes and renewals

You should get in touch if you wish to amend a licence. But check your licence conditions first: you may be able to appoint agents and assistants without having to get them named on your licence.

Find out about adding persons to a licence.

You must also remember to contact us to renew your licence. Licences aren’t renewed automatically.

Find out more

Data Protection notice

Guidance note for field surveys and monitoring where field workers are supported by NatureScot or have licences from NatureScot

Accompanying notes for survey and monitoring licences

Planning and development: protected animals