Welcome
Although a third of the UK in terms of land area, Scotland has less than one-tenth of the population, so ensuring our butterflies and moths are well-recorded can present quite a challenge to our volunteers and staff. Despite the seemingly unfavourable weather, our butterflies and moths are generally faring better in the uplands than in the intensively-farmed east.
Butterfly Conservation's local branches in Scotland are:
East Scotland Branch
Glasgow and SW Scotland Branch
Highlands and Islands Branch
Help us with our Priority Species work!
As part of Butterfly Conservation's 2021-2026 strategy, we are focusing efforts our priority species efforts on 27 butterfly and moths in Scotland. Find out more on how you can help on our Scottish Priority Species pages.
Get involved in the Wild Spaces Perth and Stirling Project!
Help us make the cities of Perth and Stirling into hotspots for butterflies, moths and other wildlife! This new project is kicking off in January 2023, and we need volunteers to help us plant new urban woodlands and meadows to help these insects. If you're interested, contact Project Officer Alice Kenny on @email
We have enjoyed excellent long-term support from NatureScot for our conservation activities in Scotland.
Species to look out for
Projects & Surveys
Bog Squad
Learn about our successful project to conserve the butterflies and moths of lowland bogs in central Scotland
Helping Hands for Butterflies
Our Helping Hands for Butterflies project ended in October 2022, but all the resources are still online here. There'll you'll find videos and guides to help you identify and record the butterflies of Scotland, Wildflower Identification courses, and guides to create new wildflower meadows.
Munching Caterpillars Scotland This project helped primary schools to encourage butterflies, moths and caterpillars to their school grounds. In the process we aimed to enthuse the next generation of conservationists to get active for wildlife. Find fun information and resources for your family/class or youth group.
Butterfly Postcard Survey results
Here we give summaries of some of the postcard and other surveys that you have helped us with over recent years.
Priority Species updates
Find out about how to get involved with our Priority Species work
MSP Nature Champions
Learn about the MSPs who are championing the cause of some of our most threatened butterflies and moths
Publications and videos
Scottish Newsletters
Low resolution copies of our annual 'Herald' newsletter, and copies of our quarterly e-news.
Habitat and species leaflets
We have now made these leaflets easier to download and print.
Butterfly and Moth ID guides
Regional identification guides for butterflies and common day-flying moths.
Enhancing Habitats for Butterflies and Moths
Some basic advice for enhancing habitats for butterflies and moths.
Videos of our online events
Since 2021 we have been recording our online events, including our Spring and Autumn Supporters' Gatherings. Watch them all here!
Butterfly Identification and Recording videos
Learn how to identify the butterflies of Scotland, and get invovled in our recording work.
News
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Get creative for nature for a chance to win!
Do you love nature and want to make sure it’s protected? Enter our competition to design a banner for the Restore Nature Now demonstration in London.
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Ready, Steady, Quiz!!
Our brand new Butterfly Conservation quiz launches today, test your knowledge on a wide variety of butterfly and moth related questions!
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Treasure hunters wanted to help find one of the rarest jewels in Northern Ireland wildlife
Nature lovers asked to get photos of beautiful ‘colour-changing’ moth.
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Gardeners back less frequent lawn mowing, poll finds, as ‘No Mow May’ begins
Almost half of gardeners do not plan to mow their lawn more than once in May, a survey suggests, as Plantlife’s annual campaign to boost nature in gardens kicks off.
Events
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Slender Scotch Burnet Caterpillar Hunt- Glengorm Castle
Thursday 9th May - 10.30am - 3 pm
Glengorm Estate
Join us looking for the caterpillars on the Slender Scotch Burnet at Glengorm Castle
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Pearl-bordered Fritillary workshop: Loch Katrine
Saturday 11th May
Loch Katrine, near Callander
Join this workshop to learn about the rare Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly!
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Field trip to see Green Hairstreaks.
Sunday 12 May, 2024.
Glencorse Reservoir at Flotterstone.
Field trip to Glencorse Reservoir to see Green Hairstreaks.
Get Involved!
There are many ways in which you can get involved in our work:
- Create and pledge a Wild Space
- Join our Bog Squad to help restore our precious peatlands
- Get involved with our Priority Species work
- Helping with our local branches work
- Send us your butterfly and moth records
- Write to your MSP to tell them about our work and ask them to support our efforts for a greener, cleaner Scotland
In your area
Contact office
Office Address
Our Scottish office is currently closed and our team are homeworking.
Please contact us via:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01786 447753
Butterfly Conservation
Manor Yard
East Lulworth
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5QP