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 Anthony McCluskey on @email
Small Blue week 2023 events!
This year we are holding a Small Blue Week of events from Saturday 27th May to 3rd June.
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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Species on the Edge launches with the Small Blues at Logie Quarry
A new and exciting conservation project called Species on the Edge will launch at a free family fun day event hosted by Butterfly Conservation Scotland at Logie Quarry, near Tain, on Saturday 3 June.
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Butterflies find safe haven in UK gardens, new research reveals
New research published by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) reveals how the UK's gardens are acting as a safe haven for butterflies.
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Europe's grassland butterflies in steep decline
A new report on the trends of grassland butterflies across Europe has shown numbers have declined by 36% over the last decade.
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Coul Links - again!
If you have been following the saga of Coul Links in East Sutherland you will know that the original proposal for a golf course was turned down by the Scottish Government. In July last year another application was submitted. Here's an update on our objection.
Events
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Northern Brown Argus butterfly - online training workshop
Tuesday 13th June
Online
Join us for an online workshop to hear more about surveys for the rare Northern Brown Argus butterfly.
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Scotland: Moth morning at Geilston garden
Thursday 15th June 2023, 10:00am-11:30am
Geilston garden, Cardross
A moth morning at NTS Geilston garden on Thursday 15th June 10am – 11.30am
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Scotland: Large Heath Survey Workshop at Whitelee Forest
Saturday 17th June 2023, 10:00am-3:00pm
Join us for a field workshop at Whitelee Forest, East Renfrewshire (on an area of upland bog) to help survey for the Large Heath butterfly and learn how to take part in this year's survey for the species on lowland raised bogs.
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: scotland@butterfly-conservation.org
Tel: 01786 447753
Butterfly Conservation
Manor Yard
East Lulworth
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5QP