Issuing of licences
Licensing administration is divided between Marine Scotland and Scottish Natural heritage. If you carry out any act, deliberately or recklessly, which could result in the disturbance of a protected species or, the obstruction, damage or destruction of their resting or breeding sites including birds nests, you may be committing a criminal offence. Licences can be granted in certain circumstances to permit those act if it is for a specific licensable purpose, there is no suitable alternative and it will not harm the species overall.