A SHEEP farmer from Skye could only watch in horror as an eagle descended from high in the clouds to attack his sheepdog.

The speed of the bird’s actions left Seumas Campbell helpless, and the event has since sparked concern online over the growing threat posed by raptors to farm life.

Mr Campbell, who runs Blackface sheep near Uig, on the Isle of Skye, has been dealing with the challenges posed by the reintroduction of sea eagles to the region – a problem that has increasingly plagued crofters since 1975. The incident occurred while Mr Campbell was out gathering his sheep.

Seumas Campbell could only look on in horror as the raptor descended upon on his trusty sheepdog.Seumas Campbell could only look on in horror as the raptor descended upon on his trusty sheepdog. “I was out back gathering – one ewe and one lamb were on the horizon. The dog was halfway up the hill when an eagle went for the lamb,” he recalled.

“The dog kept going towards the sheep, and the eagle switched its focus from the lamb to the dog.”

The bird, which Mr Campbell believes was a sea eagle, carried out its attack on Ceit, one of Mr Campbell’s sheepdogs, and it was swift and alarming.

“There was about 30 seconds where I couldn’t see the dog and the eagle kept swooping down towards her,” Mr Campbell explained.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before, but I’ve heard people say they have had eagles go for their dogs.”

Fortunately, Ceit, though shaken, only suffered minor injuries.

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“It just nicked her on the ear, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but there was definitely some damage,” said Mr Campbell. Despite this, he believes the growing eagle population is making the situation more dangerous for both livestock and working dogs on the hills.

Mr Campbell is concerned that the balance of the hill ground has shifted drastically in recent years.

“What’s left on the hills are more of a target now than ever, especially since people are taking their sheep off the land,” he said.

Many farmers and crofters are abandoning their operations partly due to the challenges posed by the eagles, further disrupting the delicate ecosystem.

While Mr Campbell acknowledged the importance of wildlife conservation, he also pointed out the broader consequences for island communities following the reintroduction of sea eagles to the Scottish isles.

“It’s not a good thing for the islands,” he said.

“They’re uncontrolled. The lambs are the only thing to sustain them on the hills – there are no rabbits left. I haven’t seen one in years. They’re not just affecting the sheep, but everything else as well.”

The attack on Ceit is a stark reminder of the growing tension between agricultural livelihoods and wildlife conservation.

For farmers like Seamus Campbell, the reintroduction of sea eagles, while beneficial for biodiversity, has brought unforeseen issues that are continuing to put their animals at risk.

A spokesperson from NatureScot provided the following comment: “NatureScot and the Scottish Government recognise that white-tailed eagles can cause economic impacts to farms and crofts in some locations.

“We are committed to providing continued support to farmers and crofters through the Sea Eagle Management Scheme, especially for those suffering the greatest impacts. The scheme provides bespoke support for farmers, including farm visits to investigate sea eagle activity, advice on mitigation measures, including the loan of equipment where appropriate, and recommendations for longer-term support.

“We expect more interest in the scheme as sea eagles increase in number and move to new areas, and we encourage farmers and crofters to come to us for advice and support.”

As the debate continues, it’s clear that finding a balance between protecting endangered species and supporting the livelihoods of island farmers will be a critical issue in the years to come.