Images showing dead and plucked gannets for sale on Lewis at the weekend confirm the controversial ‘guga hunt’ has taken place. The tradition, called a guga hunt, dates back to the 15th Century but has not been held for the last three years due to concerns around avian flu. However, in July, Scotland’s nature agency, NatureScot confirmed it had received an application for the hunt this year. Despite criticism from Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind and the Scottish public, the hunt went ahead. NatureScot granted a licence due to a clause in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which permits the guga hunt.