BEAVERS could return to a Scottish glen after Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) applied for a licence to release beavers in the Highlands.
The public body hopes to release the animal in Glen Affric, a large area of thickly wooded hillsides south of Inverness which includes fragments of ancient Caledonian Forest.
Beavers were reintroduced in Scotland in 2009, after dying out around 400 years ago.
If Scottish government agency NatureScot grants a licence, beavers could be released into Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin next spring.
Releases of beavers have already taken place in Knapdale in Argyll and parts of the Cairngorms National Park.
The release in the Cairngorms was previously criticised by farmers and crofters who said a proper consultation was not held.
FLS and its project partner, conservation charity Trees for Life, said a two year consultation with local communities and land managers had taken place for Glen Affric.
Euan Wiseman, FLS north region planning manager, said: "Over the years we have built up good working relationships with the local Affric communities so it was important that we took the time to fully engage with everyone on this issue."
He added: "We have now put appropriate measures in place that have enabled us to make a formal application to NatureScot for a release licence."
Alan McDonnell, Trees for Life's head of nature restoration, added: "Should the application be approved, we will be ready to offer practical support to ensure the local community can enjoy and benefit from beavers being brought back to the glen, with any localised issues well-managed."
