Earlier this year we were approached by the wonderful folk from Argyll Beaver Centre with the idea of brewing a beer for their upcoming Wildlife Festival, and the answer was a resounding YES!

The festival celebrates the 15th anniversary of Britain’s first official Beaver Reintroduction, where they released the first wild beavers in Scotland in over 400 years.

Now, usually we would avoid too many puns with the name Fyne, but this is such a fun and worthy project, so we couldn’t help ourselves… and DAM FYNE was born.

Dam Fyne Pale Ale is bursting with Centennial and Motueka hops, creating a refreshing blend of citrus and tropical notes, so you can enjoy a delicious pint and give to a great cause!

£5 from the sale of each cask will go to the Argyll Beaver Centre to aid in their hard work across the year – you can also grab a pint at one of their festival events. Find out more about what they have in store here: https://www.argyllbeavercentre.co.uk/wildlife-festival 

To launch the beer, we welcomed Bruce the Beaver to the brewery (along with his minder Stephen) and it might only be July, but we’re pretty sure this the best thing to happen all year.

Why not grab a 5L mini-cask of Dam Fyne and help us support this worthy cause – https://shop.fyneales.com/mini-casks-kegs/ 

Scroll down to see the full press release and the awesome activities the team have planned.

 

ARGYLL BEAVER CENTRE PRESS RELEASE

Celebrate Wildlife at the Argyll Beaver Centre’s Wildlife Festival: Marking 15 Years since Britain’s first official Beaver Reintroduction

The Argyll Beaver Centre is thrilled to announce its first Wildlife Festival, a six-day celebration running from July 28 to August 3, 2024. The festival is particularly special as it marks the 15th Anniversary of the official reintroduction of beavers to Scotland after an absence of 400 years. The festival is based at the Argyll Beaver Centre (near Lochgilphead, Argyll) and in Tayvallich. It caters for all ages, with many activities which are suitable for children.

 

**Festival Highlights:**

 

– **Films**: Enjoy three award-winning, captivating and funny wildlife films.

Hundreds of Beavers 12A – This zany comedy tells the tale of America’s greatest fur trapper who must defeat an army of furry foes. With nothing but his dim wits to guide him will he get the better of the beavers!

Serengeti PG – Renowned for its breathtaking scenes and slow-motion images, Serengeti includes hunting cheetahs, stampeding wildebeest and predatory crocodiles in this story of the greatest migration on earth’

Wilding PG – based on the acclaimed book this is tale of the transformation of the Knepp Estate in Sussex from dying farmland into a super-rich nature haven. A compelling tale of survival against the odds.

 

-**Beaver Beer** Dam Fyne is a celebration beer produced by Fyne Ales especially for the beavers’ 15th anniversary in Scotland. The Argyll Beaver Centre is delighted at Fyne Ales enthusiasm to be involved with the Wildlife Festival. Stephen Williams (Development Manager) said – ‘We have loved collaborating with Fyne Ales – their spirited and generous involvement in the festival has been uplifting. We can’t wait to serve the beer for the first time at our Festival Bar. If the quantity of pre-sales interest is anything to go by it will be a huge hit’. PHOTOGRAPH – Bruce the Beaver at Fyne Ales. The Festival Bar will be open before the Film Nights and for the Family Quiz Night.

 

– **Walks**: We will be running a number of special Festival guided walks. First will be a Family Rainforest Walk for anyone who would like to know more about our native trees and lichens. That is followed by a Foraging Walk to the exceptionally beautiful Faery Isles identifying edible plants along the way.

There will be two evening Beaver Walks as we go in search of these wonderful ecosystem engineers in this most lovely setting. These walks will provide a unique opportunity to learn about the intricate ecosystems that support Scotland’s wildlife.

 

– **Fire, Stories and Song**: Experience the magic of a traditional storytelling session, around the firepit, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Scotland and its deep connection with nature.

 

-**Family Woodland Crafts**: A day of fun for all the family involving fire-making, bug-hunting, spoon-making and many more woodland crafts.

-**Kilmartin Museum and Taynish National Nature Reserve**

**Community Connections** The Argyll Beaver Centre is involved in an enormous amount of educational and community work. We are delighted that two of our partners will be joining us in the festival. Kilmartin Museum is offering a simulated Archaeological Dig; the participants will be hunting for evidence of the creatures who lived in the area thousands of years ago…which may include early beavers!

Our colleagues at NatureScot have organised a Moth Identification session led by David Hill a distinguished expert from the Butterfly Conservation Trust. The UK’s 2,500 moth species are greatly varied and always fascinating.

 

 

The Argyll Beaver Centre has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Argyll, and this festival not only highlights the incredible journey of beaver reintroduction but also promotes the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect Scotland’s natural environment.

 

**Event Details:**

– **Dates**: July 28 – August 2, 2024

– **Location**: Argyll Beaver Centre, Argyll, Scotland

 

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the official return of beavers to Scotland,” said Stephen Williams, Development Officer at the Argyll Beaver Centre. “This festival is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local community, our volunteers and staff. We invite everyone, of all ages, to join us in celebrating this milestone and to learn more about the vital role wildlife plays in our precious Scottish ecosystems.”

 

The Argyll Beaver Centre’s Wildlife Festival promises to be an enriching experience for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the natural world.

 

In an effort to be as inclusive as possible admission to several events is free; donations are welcome to support the Centre’s ongoing conservation work.

The full programme is available at www.argyllbeavercentre.co.uk