In Red Squirrel week, Kinlochleven Brewery launches Red Squirrel Ale to help save the species

The Atlas Brewery in Kinlochleven has created the Red Squirrel Ale and is to donate part of the sales revenue to the Highland Red Squirrel Group (HRSG) which is based in Dingwall. The Highlands are a major stronghold of the red squirrels, which are threatened by the non-native grey squirrels both in competition for food and by a disease the greys carry. HRSG estimate there are only 160,000 reds left in the UK, most of which are in Scotland.

Norman Sinclair, managing director of Atlas Brewery’s parent company, Sinclair Breweries, says: ‘The red squirrel is such an iconic Highland creature, we felt it was important to do our bit to ensure future generations will still be able to enjoy seeing them in their natural habitat’.

Ian Collier, chairman of the HRSG, says: ‘I hope there will be plenty of people asking for a pint of Red Squirrel Ale and a bag of nuts. We are really pleased to be in partnership with Atlas Brewery to raise the profile of red squirrels in the Highlands and to take the opportunity to raise funds for the Highland Red Squirrel Group charity’.

Thursday’s launch of the ale has been set to coincide with Red Squirrel Week from 4-12 October.

There are quite a few red squirrels in Argyll and there are people dedicated to their preservation, some with unusual qualifications – such as David and Ann Fiddes from Strachur on east Loch Fyne. They are both qualified Red Squirrel Surveyors and have been instrumental in having squirrel rope bridges installed at Strachur to help save the creatures from road traffic hits.