A RECORD number of golden eagles are now soaring in southern Scottish skies.

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project has successfully transported six more golden eagle chicks from the Scottish Highlands to a secret location in south Scotland this summer.

The new additions bring the total population of golden eagles in the south to around 39 – more than tripling the population to the highest number recorded in the area for three centuries.

News of the translocation comes as the initiative was named a finalist for this year’s National Lottery Awards Project of the Year for its ‘amazing conservation work’ – a public vote, closing October 9, will decide the winner.

The project is preparing to celebrate the new arrivals at the UK’s only Golden Eagle Festival in Moffat, on September 16 and 18.