Long-lost oyster beds on the West Coast of Scotland have been rediscovered through the analysis of Gaelic and Scots language. Scientists involved in Project Eisirean searched for Gaelic words for oyster, such as eisir, eisirein, and eisirean, as well as terms for oyster habitats in place-names along Scotland's coast.
This method led to the discovery of an oyster bed that had not been previously documented. The research also confirmed the potential presence of oysters at other sites on Mull and Islay. Native oysters were once common in European coastal waters, including Scotland, but now only small populations remain due to overharvesting and disease.
Ecology and wildlife experts hope to use these findings to help restore oyster populations in suitable coastal areas. Dr Anna McGregor, a coastal ecology expert at the University of Glasgow, originated the idea of using traditional place-names to locate oysters, followed by scientific verification.
The research team will now trial the feasibility of a mobile oyster hatchery, with the first trial taking place in Millport. This initiative aims to supply oyster larvae to coastal communities and aid in rebuilding oyster beds in various locations.