
Pine martens and licensing
NatureScot can issue licences to legally permit works affecting pine martens for a variety of reasons.
NatureScot can issue licences to legally permit works affecting pine martens for a variety of reasons.
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.
You therefore don’t require a licence to:
You must have a licence to move young pine martens. Contact us for advice if any young are present.
Living with Pine Martens: A guide to the pine marten in Scotland
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:
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.
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:
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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
Accompanying notes for survey and monitoring licences
Planning and development: protected animals
If you already have a licence number, include it in the subject line of your email, or have it to hand when you call.