Bats

All bat species found in Scotland are fully protected by law .

Offences

It is an offence to deliberately or recklessly:

• capture, injure or kill a wild bat
• harass a wild bat or group of bats
• to disturb a wild bat in a roost (any structure or place it uses for shelter or protection)
• to disturb a wild bat while it is rearing or otherwise caring for its young (this would be a 'maternity' roost)
• to obstruct access to a bat roost or to otherwise deny the animal use of the roost
• to disturb such a wild bat in a manner that is, or in circumstances which are, likely to significantly affect the local distribution or abundance of that species

It is also an offence to:

• damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal (note: this does not need to be deliberate or reckless to constitute an offence)
• keep, transport, sell or exchange or offer for sale or exchange any wild bat or any part or derivative of one (if obtained after 10 June 1994)

Need help with bats in your house?

If you think you have bats in your house and need advice you should consult with Nature Scot before you do anything which might affect bats or their roosts. www.nature.scot