Pine martens to be used as ‘bouncers’ to keep grey squirrels out of Highlands

Exclusive: Dens being installed on east coast and A9 after predator's return was found to reduce numbers of greys

Pine martens are to be deployed as wildlife bouncers along the east coast of Scotland and the A9 corridor to halt the northward march of grey squirrels.

More than 35 artificial pine marten dens are being installed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) at strategic locations on the grey squirrels' path of northward migration in an attempt to save the Highland red squirrel populations.