Use ‘googly eyes’ to stop gulls stealing your chips, says NatureScot
Scottish Government Pledges Practical Action on Urban Gull Problems Amid Mocked Advice. MSPs told of ‘googly eyes’ and arm-waving suggestions, but ministers stress focus on workable deterrents and gull conservation
Urban gull summit sparks debate
A Scottish Government summit on urban gulls has prompted controversy after some unusual recommendations from NatureScot were highlighted at Holyrood. Suggestions included attaching "googly eyes" to takeaway boxes, waving arms above heads, and staring at gulls to deter them from swooping on food. Agricultural Minister Jim Fairlie acknowledged the ideas but dismissed them as "ludicrous", stressing that practical and balanced measures would instead be pursued.
Concerns over noise, mess, and gulls swooping on people eating outdoors have been raised by communities across Scotland, from Eyemouth to Aberdeen. The government convened the Inverness meeting to address mounting complaints and to consider ways of reducing conflict between people and gulls in towns and cities.
Fairlie told MSPs that the Scottish Government recognises the strength of feeling in affected areas and is committed to targeted action where needed. He said the aim was to reduce opportunities for gulls to scavenge, including better control of food waste and installing deterrents on rooftops to discourage nesting.
‘Ludicrous’ or light-hearted?
Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Ross challenged the minister in parliament, criticising the advice as "utter nonsense" and questioning the credibility of the summit outcomes. He highlighted that the recommendations about arm-waving and staring at gulls had been shared seriously. Fairlie confirmed the advice had been made but argued that dismissing the entire issue risked undermining genuine efforts to find solutions.
"Yes, they talked about googly eyes on takeaway boxes, yes they talked about waving their arms in order to distract birds, and yes they talked about staring at seagulls because seagulls do not like eye contact," Fairlie said, before insisting that practical, evidence-based measures would be prioritised.
Balancing community concerns and bird protection
Fairlie also reminded parliament that gulls are a protected species under wildlife law and that some populations are in significant decline. While acknowledging public frustration, he stressed the need for a balanced approach that reduces conflict without harming the birds. Measures under consideration include targeted deterrents, public education, and reducing food waste sources that attract gulls into urban areas.
The minister accused the Conservatives of trivialising the discussion and called for cross-party support to develop effective strategies. "If they want to have a serious discussion let's have a serious discussion," he told MSPs.
Next steps
The government is expected to follow up the summit with localised trials of deterrents and improved waste management initiatives. While some of NatureScot’s more unconventional suggestions have been widely ridiculed, officials insist the broader aim remains to reduce tensions between people and gulls while safeguarding species already under conservation pressure.
Oct 2025
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