THE UK’s first ever Golden Eagle Festival saw a celebration of one of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife species, culminating in the official naming of the town of Moffat in Dumfries & Galloway as the UK’s first Eagle Town.
Organised by The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and support from Visit Moffat, the Moffat Eagle Festival played an important role in the charity’s continued work to address low numbers of golden eagles in the area.
The festival was a great success, with all of Moffat’s B&Bs and hotels fully booked throughout week and businesses reporting that the town was busier than it had been in a long time.
Renowned wildlife photographer Gordon Buchanan (below) delivered the festival’s keynote speech.
He said: “It has been a real privilege to have been part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project’s first ever Golden Eagle Festival and to support their important conservation work to ensure golden eagles once again flourish in southern skies.
“Festivals and events like this play a key role in raising awareness of how everyone can help to protect this magical and iconic bird. Each glimpse of a golden eagle is special, but they should and could be more common in the south of Scotland.”
The town of Moffat, situated less than a mile from Junction 15 on the M74, was officially awarded the title of Eagle Town at a special unveiling ceremony during the festival. The town’s new status is now marked with an official street sign and wooden eagle bench, unveiled by MSP Lorna Slater.
Accepting the new title for the town, Leys Geddes, chair of Visit Moffat said: “It’s been a wonderful week. Many of our local businesses are saying that the town is busier than it has been for a very long time – helping our town to recover from lockdowns, restrictions and uncertainty.
“This little town is the gateway to the 300sq km of the Moffat Hills. Our hills are like a mini-Highlands, providing outstanding scenery, green grass for our sheep farmers and a rich variety of wildlife. Moffat is ideally situated to become Scotland’s First Eagle Town and to celebrate, and be hosts to, one of Scotland’s most iconic species – the golden eagle.
“The people of Moffat, and our thousands of visitors, have taken the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project under their wings and are playing a vital role in welcoming eight more golden eagles, making 12 in total, to their new home.”
The Moffat Eagle Festival programme featured falconry displays, wildlife talks, raptor identification courses and live music. The festival concluded yesterday with a family fun day and a chance to meet a real golden eagle, falconry displays, a fell race, a big tree climb, an eaglet family fun run and ukulele workshops.
Festival organiser Rick Taylor said: “It has been amazing to see everything come together for the UK’s very first Eagle Festival in Moffat. The support we have received from the community, entertainers, conservationists, funders, project partners, festival-goers, local media and our wider project work been truly incredible – it all plays an absolutely vital role in protecting golden eagles in the south of Scotland.
“We’d also like say a special thank you to all those who have been fundraising throughout the festival to support our project’s continued work. Every penny raised will help to ensure that we all see even more of this magnificent species across the south of Scotland’s skies for many generations to come.”
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