If you’ve ever had your chips stolen straight from your hand by a seagull, spare a thought for the people of Eyemouth.
According to some of its residents, the gulls there aren’t just thieving snacks — they’re attacking people. Seven children were reportedly dive-bombed last year, and at least one girl ended up with injuries to her scalp. And now, things have escalated to the point where Scottish politicians are demanding a nationwide summit on the “seagull problem”.
Yes, really.
“Scared, Attacked and Traumatised”
The call for action is being led by Rachael Hamilton, a Conservative MSP, who says communities across Scotland are being terrorised by aggressive gulls. It’s not just about a few noisy birds squabbling over a Greggs wrapper — residents are saying they feel unsafe in their own towns.
“People have been scared, attacked and traumatised by seagulls,” Hamilton told the Scottish Parliament. “The time has come for this government to take meaningful action.”
She’s not alone. Fellow Conservative Douglas Ross, MP for Moray, took things one step further by warning that if nothing is done, someone could actually be killed. It’s the kind of statement that sounds dramatic until you realise that children have already been injured — and with breeding season underway, gulls are more aggressive than ever.
A Gull Summit — But Not For Everyone?
The Scottish Government had already announced a summit on gull control earlier this year, but it was specifically focused on the north of Scotland. Hamilton, who represents a more southern region, says that’s not good enough. She wants a Scotland-wide summit that includes councils, conservation agencies and communities from all over the country.
“Eyemouth, Dunbar, North Berwick and other coastal towns in my region are plagued by gulls,” she said. “It’s a national problem, not a local one.”
Her main criticism is aimed at NatureScot — the government agency responsible for wildlife advice — which she says has failed to give councils the tools they need to act. NatureScot’s official guidance includes tips like avoiding leaving food waste out, using dogs to deter gulls, and walking with an umbrella in nesting season. Understandably, that last one hasn’t gone down brilliantly with people who live in coastal towns and just want to walk to the shops without getting dive-bombed.
“We’re Not Allowed to Touch Them”
One of the main frustrations for local authorities is that gulls are protected under wildlife laws, meaning it’s not legal to harm them or destroy their nests without a specific licence. And even then, it’s only granted under certain conditions.
That’s left many councils stuck between angry residents and strict conservation rules. Even when gulls are nesting on rooftops or attacking bin collectors, it’s often difficult to get permission to intervene. The result? More umbrellas, more leftover food being picked clean mid-air, and a whole lot of swearing at the sky.
Hamilton wants the law reviewed, or at the very least, for NatureScot to grant more local powers to deal with the issue — particularly during nesting season.
Gulls Behaving Badly
It’s not just Eyemouth. From Aberdeen to Ayr, people have shared stories about gulls behaving like miniature airborne gangsters. In some areas, bin lorries have had to change their routes to avoid swooping birds. In others, postal workers have been issued with hats and protective glasses. Even the Royal Mail has been known to suspend deliveries to certain addresses when gulls start attacking staff.
And it’s not just coastal areas either. In recent years, towns like Perth and Stirling — which aren’t even close to the sea — have reported gull-related issues, with one resident claiming a bird swooped down and ripped a sandwich clean out of her mouth. It’s becoming a bit of a theme: a quiet afternoon stroll followed by a terrifying flurry of wings, beaks and screaming.
What Now?
The Scottish Government has acknowledged the concerns and says the upcoming summit in the north will be a starting point — but so far, there’s been no official move to extend it nationally. Hamilton and other MSPs say that’s not enough.
“Residents feel ignored,” Hamilton told Parliament. “This isn’t a joke. It’s affecting people’s daily lives and mental health.”
It’s easy to laugh about a rogue gull stealing your chips, but when kids are ending up in hospital and locals are scared to leave their homes during nesting season, it becomes more serious. That’s why Hamilton is pushing for national-level coordination, including funding, clear enforcement powers for councils, and a rethink of the wildlife laws that currently protect the birds.
Are we Really Talking About a Bird Summit?
Yes — and honestly, maybe it’s time.
If there’s one thing that unites Scots from all walks of life, it’s a healthy distrust of seagulls. Whether it’s the bin raids, the 5am shrieking, or the silent stalks across rooftops, gulls are officially the most menacing part of the urban food chain. And unlike foxes or pigeons, they don’t even try to act cute about it.
So maybe a “gull summit” isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds. Because judging by recent reports, the birds are winning — and Scotland’s fed up.