Bats

It is a crime to:

  •  intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or capture a bat
  •  deliberately or recklessly disturb a bat (whether in a roost or not)
  •  damage, destroy or obstruct access to a bat roost
  •  possess or transport a bat or anything derived from a bat 
  •  sell, barter or exchange a bat, or anything derived from a bat


    • It is a legal requirement to consult Scottish Natural Heritage before you do anything that might affect bats or their roosts. If there are bats in your house then this would include rebuilding, alteration or maintenance work; re-roofing; remedial timber treatment;  wiring or plumbing in the roof space; treatment of wasps, bees or cluster flies in the roof.  In the countryside it includes blocking, filling, or installing grilles over old mines or tunnels;  removing hollow trees; and demolishing or altering old buildings.  A bat roost is protected even when there are no bats present because the bats return to the same places every year.   

    All species of bats are protected species throughout Europe because their numbers are declining rapidly. It is a crime to kill, injure, capture or disturb them. It is a crime to disturb bats, without a licence, wherever they are except in the living area of a house, for example a bedroom, hall or sitting room. Bats in a loft, roof space, within cavity walls, or a shed, must not be disturbed. You are not allowed to destroy or damage any roosting place.

    The law allows you to tend disabled bats, kill seriously injured ones and disturb bats in the living area of a house. Some illegal activities, including disturbing or any attempt to remove the bats, can be carried out under the terms of a licence issued either by SNH or the Scottish Executive. You cannot catch, ring or photograph bats except under licence. 

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