Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed the decision by NatureScot to recommend that a licence not be granted for this year’s guga hunt on a remote Scottish island. The guga hunt has been an annual tradition in Ness, north Lewis, since the 15th century, with ten men setting out for the rocky island of Sula Sgeir 40 miles away. “NatureScot has not ruled out allowing the guga hunt in future years. NatureScot approved a licence application from the Men of Ness, who carry out the guga hunt, last year with a limit of 500 birds. A petition urging the Scottish Government to change the law allowing the guga hunt was started by wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby and has gathered over 105,000 signatures.