BID Information · City Centre

Gull Management in Inverness City Centre

Practical guidance for businesses, residents and visitors on reducing gull-related problems — and how to report incidents across the city centre.

Report a gull issue
New · April 2026

Inverness BID launches the ‘GULL WATCH’ campaign

This year’s focus is on encouraging the reporting of gull-related incidents — helping us better understand the real impact of concentrated gull populations on people and businesses across the city centre and wider Inverness area.
Experienced or witnessed an incident?
Report gull issues
Background

Understanding urban gulls

Inverness city centre, like many urban areas, faces challenges with increasing numbers of gulls. These birds have adapted to city life, using rooftops as nesting sites and scavenging for food from litter and waste. While they are a natural part of our environment, their presence can lead to noise, mess and aggressive behaviour, particularly during breeding season.
  • Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to capture, injure or destroy any wild bird, or to disturb their nests or eggs. Local authorities, including Highland Council, have no legal duty to manage urban gulls — but there are proactive steps businesses, residents and visitors can take to reduce problems.

Common issues with gulls

Each year, complaints are received regarding:
Nesting on buildings

Gulls often nest on flat roofs, chimney stacks and ledges, leading to noise disturbance and potential damage to properties.

Swooping at people

Gulls may swoop, particularly when protecting their young or attempting to grab food from people.

Aggressive behaviour

Gulls have learned to scavenge from humans, sometimes becoming territorial over food sources.

Prevention

Preventing gull problems

Do not feed the gulls

Feeding gulls encourages them to become dependent on human food sources, which leads to:
  • More aggressive behaviour, including snatching food from hands
  • Larger numbers of gulls congregating in feeding areas
  • Increased droppings, which create health and cleanliness issues

£80 FPN

Dropping food waste for birds can be considered littering — a criminal offence. Fixed Penalty Notices of £80 can be issued under Highland Council and Police Scotland regulations.

Proper waste disposal

One of the biggest attractions for gulls is easy access to food waste. To prevent this:
  • Use secure, lidded bins to store waste.
  • Avoid leaving waste bags outside overnight, as gulls can easily tear into them.
  • Dispose of all litter in gull-proof bins.
  • Businesses should ensure commercial waste is secured properly and disposed of in a timely manner.

Gull behaviour & nesting

30+

Years they can live

Mar–Aug

Breeding season

Same site

Return yearly

  • Use secure, lidded bins to store waste.
  • Avoid leaving waste bags outside overnight, as gulls can easily tear into them.
  • Dispose of all litter in gull-proof bins.
  • Businesses should ensure commercial waste is secured properly and disposed of in a timely manner.

Protecting your property from gulls

If you own a property in the city centre, you can take measures to prevent gulls nesting and causing damage.
Install spikes, netting or wire deterrents to stop gulls landing on rooftops, ledges and chimney stacks.
Remove old nests outside breeding season (September–January) to discourage return.
Use reflectors or visual deterrents to make rooftops less attractive to gulls.
Keep bins and waste storage covered to remove food sources.
Property owners are responsible for gull-proofing their buildings. Highland Council does not provide a service for removing nests or deterring gulls from private properties.
Find a Trusted Trader in Highland

What can businesses do?

Businesses play a key role in reducing urban gull problems. To help:
  • Encourage staff and customers not to feed gulls.
  • Provide and maintain secure waste bins.
  • Schedule waste collections to avoid food waste sitting outside for long periods.
  • Consider gull-proofing measures for rooftops and outdoor seating areas.

Report a gull issue

If you encounter any gull nuisance in Inverness city centre, please report it via the Highland Council survey. Every report helps build a clearer picture of the impact on our community.

Open the reporting survey

Contact Environmental Health

For concerns about environmental health issues, contact Highland Council’s Environmental Health team.

Open for Business

With excellent transport links across Scotland, the UK and beyond, the City in the Highlands is always open for business. Inverness boasts a skilled, resourceful workforce — reflected in emerging industries such as life sciences and renewable energy set to expand in the coming years.
It’s also the hub of tourism in the Highlands and Islands, drawing thousands of national and international visitors every year. At the heart of it all, the City Centre BID is committed to strengthening business across every sector of the city centre.
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