At first it was about looking after one Asian Short Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) and her family. Then their species, in zoos and supporting projects working in their home ranges. Then widened to include all otter species globally, before increasing involvement with Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) across Scotland and being able to contribute more tangibly, at home, narrowed my focus.

Lutra Grampia is the culmination of 15 years' work with otters and 12 of those spent narrowing in on otters in Scotland. It brings together longstanding involvement in otter education and advocacy, guiding, ecological surveying, monitoring and work across various conservation projects under a central framework with a core aim: to help connect communities and conservation through a focus on the Eurasian Otter, its habitats and ecosystems. Having spent my career watching otters enchant and excite people of all ages, I've seen their potential to engage individuals and groups with nature and conservation, which is now more crucial than ever.

We're a small organisation, values-driven and with communities and conservation embedded in everything we do. A portion of our fees from every activity we deliver will always be forwarded onto an organisation or project working specifically in otter, or otter habitat, conservation in Scotland, with a particular focus on small, local groups. Our education work is delivered locally, and guided walks and workshops aim to support other local businesses in the chosen area. Collaboration is a key facet of our work and we look forward to strengthening our relationships with some of those groups and projects and building new links with others as we grow.

The otter who started it all passed away aged 17 in autumn 2025. Lutra Grampia is her legacy.

We'd love for you to be a part of it.

Alana Dewar

Founder & Otter Projects Officer