SHOOTING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE (September - October 2025)
Country Sports Tourism in Scotland
The legality of gun ownership
Grouse season in Scotland
Muirburn or (com)bust?
Firearm licensing in the UK
Viewpoint with Andrew McCaig
Scottish Venison
Getting an upgrade
The Artisan with Andrew Fothergill, The Crafty Antler
Deer Management
By Tom Turnbull, Chair ADMG
Scottish Country Life with Jake Swindells
Rural Training
Cooking with Game
Wendy Barrie’s Venison Shank Soup plus News • Country Store and our regular columns
By Stewart Blair
Gun Dogs with Stuart Dunn
The Ghillie with Bob Whyte
editor's bit
Spreading the word
I have been absolutely delighted by the response, help and advice Christina and I have had on bringing back our Shooting Scotland title after five years away.
Shooting Scotland will be back again in 2026, with publications in early March, July and September.
Only three issues, so we can’t break anyone’s advertising budget… LOL.
We thank all our supporters and contributors for your participation and help.
We are expanding our distribution network for both Shooting Scotland and Farming Scotland, in that we are now available in NFU Offices all over Scotland, including the Hebrides and Northern Isles.
You can visit our website to see all of our locations where we distribute to.
It is a bespoke network, and created to ensure you all that we go to all the right places for those who work and live in the rural world.
The really exciting thing for me, is that we have lots more to do and lots more to add to this title going forward.
We will support events and clients as before – new products, great stories, important news etc –we will grow again.
So please feel free to contact me directly with any ideas for the magazine.
Slàinte, Athole.
Scottish DTL Shooting Team Makes History with Home International Victory
Glenmoriston Estate, Scotland
– The Scotland Down The Line (DTL) Shooting Team has made history, winning the prestigious Home International competition for the first time since 1982. The event, held on Friday, July 18th at the scenic Glenmoriston Estate Shooting Ground, saw the Scottish Senior Team clinch victory by a narrow margin of 2 points over
England, ending a 43-year wait for the title.
The Home International brings together the best shooters from Scotland, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The Scottish squad proudly fielded a full team comprising:
• 20 Seniors
• 5 Ladies
• 5 Juniors
• 5 Veterans
• 5 Super Veterans
Each category delivered an outstanding performance, with the Senior Team’s determination and consistency proving decisive in securing the overall win.
“This victory has been decades in the making. It’s a proud day for Scottish shooting and a testament to the hard work, focus, and passion of everyone on the team,” said a team representative.
This triumph marks not just a return to the top, but a new era for Scottish DTL shooting, inspiring the next generation of shooters across the country.
Next issue of Shooting Scotland out March 2026
Now to name them all… here goes
Back row L-R Alvaro Pieri, Marcus Munro, Darren Murray, Alan Wilson, David Galloway, Marcas Robertson, John Galloway, Richard Greenlaw and Jamie Bain Front row L-R Kenny Jones, Leighton Reid, Angus Brims, Mark White, Iain Hepburn, Willie Smith (manager), Ivar McBay (captain), David Taylor, David Caithness, Don MacKay, Chris Welsh and Andrew Youngers.
Save Our Skills - new partnership to safeguard rural skills and promote land-based careers
A new partnership has been launched to promote rural careers for young people, raise awareness of available opportunities and safeguard skills and knowledge for future generations.
The Game and Wildlife Management Skills Group (GWMSG) will be chaired by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) with Lantra acting as the secretariat.
The group combines the expertise and resources of 19
organisations and its aim is to ensure young people are aware of opportunities in their area and have access to appropriate support and guidance.
Skills such as deer management, grouse moor management, muirburn, moorland ecology and gamekeeping are among the many aptitudes that contribute to sustainable land use.
Nic MacLeod, acting policy adviser for Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We are delighted
to be able to join forces with partners from across the game and wildlife sector to help the next generation to embark on a rural career.
“In Scotland, we have a thriving game management and conservation sector and there are numerous opportunities on offer all over the country, with training and apprenticeships available, whether for schoolleavers or those who are new to the sector. These skills are of vital importance to enhance
biodiversity, create cohesive rural communities, boost the economy and use the land sustainably. By working together we can enable skills transfer to the next generation and also actively protect and improve some of our most precious landscapes and habitats.”
Liz Barron-Majerik, Scotland Director for Lantra, said: “The next few years are a critical time for both preserving and developing skills, and improving access to careers in
this sector. By working together we can help ensure the vital role that land-based industries play in the Scottish and UK economy is more widely recognised. This partnership is an excellent way to collaborate, share knowledge and invest in the next generation.”
There remain considerable barriers to entry for certain land-based careers partly due to misconceptions about the sector
and in some cases a lack of suitable role models.
One of the aims of the Game and Wildlife Management Skills Group is to promote a broader understanding of the role that the game and wildlife management sector plays in ecosystem health, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.
In addition the GWMSG will help bridge the gap between
school-leavers and employers as well as highlighting options for diversification of skills for those already working in the sector.
The other members of the partnership are: British Association of Shooting and Conservation, Borders College, Countryside Learning Scotland, Cairngorm National Park Authority, Developing the Young Workforce, Forestry and Land Scotland,
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Moray Estates, NatureScot, National Trust for Scotland, Royal Highland Education Trust, Scottish Association of Country Sports, Scottish Countryside Alliance, Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association, Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, Scotland’s Rural College and University of the Highlands and Islands.
Gamekeepers attacked every 12 days
The shocking statistic has been revealed in previously unreported figures from The Grouse Moor Gamekeeper in England in the Twenty-First Centuryreport, commissioned by the Regional Moorland Groups and National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.
In addition to physical assaults, over 1,000 separate threats were made to gamekeepers, while over 1,500 instances of insults were recorded.
These attacks on gamekeepers have had knockon effects. 94 keepers suffered a financial loss over the yearlong study period, while 33 have experienced mental health issues.
The majority of keepers affected both by attacks and also by subsequent problems were based in the Peak District.
Nor is it just direct attacks that are facing gamekeepers. Wildlife and property crime has also negatively impacted keepers and their families, with over 268 incidents of wildlife poaching, 68 of farm animal poaching, and 198 of livestock worrying taking place over the 12-month period. On average, incidents of damage to estate property happened almost twice a day.
Such abuse is, of course, vile. Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT) Chief Executive, Helen Benson, has branded it “totally unacceptable”, and rightly so.
Gamekeepers are vital guardians of our countryside, and frequently help members of the public, all while having to deal with people acting irresponsibly. In addition to their work and its associated conservation management, gamekeepers rescue walkers, give first aid, and help stranded drivers nearly daily. Keepers had to ask visitors to extinguish fires, which could cause catastrophic damage, more than 2,300 times in just one year. They also had to clear areas of litter on nearly 5,000 occasions in this time.
As Moorland Association chief executive, Andew Gilruth, puts it: “Imagine
being assaulted for protecting wildlife, threatened for stopping wildfires and insulted for saving ground-nesting birds. That’s the daily reality for our moorland gamekeepers.”
He further points out: “Much of this hostility is being stirred up deliberately by organisations whose relentless rhetoric paints hardworking keepers as villains.”
Roger Seddon, Shooting Campaign Manager at the Countryside Alliance, stated:
“The frequent attacks that are being made on gamekeepers and the wider gamekeeping community are utterly reprehensible. Gamekeepers and their families deserve to be
treated with just as much respect as anyone else.
“Gamekeepers perform a crucial role in conservation efforts as part of their job, and on top of that, they regularly both assist members of the public in need of aid, and also manage the irresponsible behaviour of others. The moors and their communities would suffer without them.
“The invaluable work of organisations such as the GWT and the NGO does much to help gamekeepers and their families, who have to face unique and trying challenges. But keepers’ lives would be made much easier if visitors to moorland areas act in a responsible and respectful manner.”
Promoting country sports tourism in Scotland
By Kirk Norbury Project Manager for Country Sport Scotland
Country Sport Scotland is the national platform for promoting country sports tourism across Scotland. Proudly owned and operated by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), it has grown into a trusted voice for one of Scotland’s most distinctive rural industries. But its roots go back further.
The organisation was originally established in the early 2000s under the name Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group (SCSTG). Its founding aim was simple but important: to promote Scotland as a leading destination for fieldsports, and to ensure that sporting tourism was recognised for the economic and cultural value it brings to rural communities.
For more than two decades, that mission has remained constant. What began as a small working group of like-minded organisations has evolved into a national initiative that now connects visitors with sporting providers, estates, accommodation businesses and guides across the country.
The transition to the name Country Sport Scotland marked a new phase in its development a clearer, more accessible identity for a wider audience, without losing the specialist knowledge and respect built up over the years. The name may have changed, but the focus remains firmly on promoting authentic, sustainable and high-quality sporting experiences.
Now, with the full support of BASC, the organisation has entered a new chapter, one grounded in ambition, strategic partnership and a stronger voice within Scotland’s tourism landscape. Country Sport Scotland continues to advocate for the sector, helping raise its profile among decisionmakers while championing the businesses, traditions and people who keep it thriving.
Whether it’s red deer stalking in the Highlands, salmon fishing on renowned rivers, or walkedup shooting on heather moorland, the experiences promoted through Country Sport Scotland are rooted in heritage, shaped by the land, and delivered with
professionalism and pride. And while the organisation celebrates that tradition, it also recognises the need to evolve, reaching new audiences, embracing digital tools, and ensuring the sector remains relevant and resilient in the years ahead.
In May of this year, Blair Castle in Perthshire played host to a landmark event for Scotland’s country sports tourism sector. Organised by Country Sport Scotland, the inaugural Scottish Country Sports Tourism Conference brought together over 60 estates, sporting agents, accommodation providers and rural tourism operators for a day of discussion, collaboration and forward planning.
Set against the backdrop of one of Scotland’s most iconic sporting estates, the conference marked a first for the industry, a national gathering focused entirely on the future of country sports tourism. With activities like stalking, fishing and game shooting forming a key part of Scotland’s rural economy and visitor appeal, the event aimed to strengthen partnerships and explore sustainable ways forward.
The day featured a range of keynote speakers, panel sessions and breakout discussions covering business development, marketing strategies and adapting to shifting tourism trends. While each session highlighted its own
Two deerstalkers spying for stags in the Highlands. Credit Kirk Norbury
challenges, the underlying theme was clear: growth will depend on collaboration, modernisation and better public understanding of the sector’s economic, environmental and cultural value.
Guests heard from a wide range of speakers, from policy makers and tourism experts to estate owners and sporting providers. Discussions touched on everything from attracting overseas visitors to making better use of digital tools, as well as how to navigate regulation and support local communities.
While the topics were broad, the mood throughout was upbeat. With so many people from across the sector in one room, it was a chance to swap ideas, make new connections and look ahead. The event felt less like a formal conference and more like the start of a much-needed conversation — one that’s set to continue.
The momentum from the conference carried through to July, when Country Sport Scotland hosted the 2025 Scottish Country Sports Tourism Awards at the GWCT Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace.
Now in their third year, the awards shine a light on the individuals and businesses championing sustainability, conservation, and community engagement within the sector. Held on the BASC stand, the ceremony brought together estates, agencies, hospitality providers, and industry leaders to celebrate the very best of Scotland’s country sports tourism.
This year saw the introduction of two new categories: one recognising leadership in fishing experiences, and another celebrating the growing influence of women in the sector. These additions reflect the continued evolution of the industry and the increasingly diverse voices shaping its future.
Winners in 2025 included Findrack Sporting, named Best
Sporting Estate, and S.A.C Shooting, who took home Best Sporting Agency. TwinPeakes Fly Fishing received recognition as Best Fishing Provider, while Logiealmond Estate was awarded Best Sporting Accommodation. Charlie Blance was named Best Sporting Influencer, and the Women in Country Sports Award went to Abbie Wilson for her inspiring work in promoting
female participation across the field.
A number of others were highly commended for their contributions, including International Hunting Scotland, Gordon Castle Estate, Dunkeld House Hotel, Chris Dalton, and Cara Hutchens.
The awards not only celebrate achievement, but also help raise the profile of those
driving the sector forward. From long-established estates to new innovators, the stories behind each winner reflect a shared commitment to excellence — and a sector that continues to thrive. Country Sport Scotland is committed to supporting this important industry and promoting the very best of Scotland’s sporting experiences. Through our website, events,
The Inaugural Scottish Country Sports Tourism Conference held at Blair Castle - May 2025. Credit Kirk Norbury
Abbie Wilson, winner of the Women in Country Sports Award, with Ian Bell, Chief Executive of BASC, at the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Awards during the Scottish Game Fair. Credit Kirk Norbury
and advocacy work, we help connect visitors with genuine, high-quality opportunities while encouraging greater recognition and support across the country. There has been clear progress this year, but it’s only the beginning.
Country sports remain a vital part of life in many rural areas, attracting visitors from near and far while supporting thousands of jobs. These activities help sustain local communities and preserve traditions that have been passed down for generations. Yet the sector still faces challenges, including changing regulations and public perception. With increasing interest from international visitors seeking authentic experiences, there is real potential to build on Scotland’s strong tradition and ensure the sector continues to grow. Country Sport Scotland is proud to be at the heart of this
effort, helping to keep country sports a thriving and valued part of Scotland’s future.
For more information about Country Sport Scotland, our awards or how to explore the best of Scotland’s country sports www.countrysportscotland.com
Highland Ponies carrying a Red Deer stag through the Perthshire Highlands. Credit Sarah Farnsworth
The legality of gun ownership
By David McKie, Partner Levy & McRae Solicitors LLP
It is a great pleasure to write this article for Shooting Scotland magazine.
I have had the privilege of acting for many certificate holders over the years, with particular focus on gamekeepers, landowners, factors and farmers.
I hope that I am able to assist anyone who has issues arising from their day to day lives and who unfortunately end up on the wrong side of the law.
By far and away the most inquiries I get in my rural practice come from firearm and shotgun certificate holders.
You would be surprised how innocuous some issues arise which can lead to police involvement. I keep thinking that I have covered every possible eventuality in the world of shooting, but something new or different arises probably on a monthly basis.
This article is to provide you with an overview of the types of
areas where the law is relevant for firearm certificate holders.
1. Security
A breach of security is a criminal offence. It also almost inevitably will lead to guns being removed and possibly even certificates revoked.
The common security breaches are: -
• Keeping guns in vehicles.
• Taking guns back into the house and leaving them propped up.
• Leaving bullets in jacket pockets, glove compartments etc.
• Leaving keys in a place where partners know where they are and have access to them.
• Losing guns while out and about.
I have dealt with many hundreds of such cases. Most of them involve simple carelessness.
Experience tells me that you need to be religious and disciplined in keeping guns and ammunition secure and locked up at all times.
2. Conduct
As a certificate holder, you are expected effectively to be above the law. You are not treated the same as someone who golfs, fishes or carries out other pursuits. A golfer can leave his golf clubs in the boot of his car 24/7. Certificate holders do not have that luxury. If an angler gets involved in a domestic argument, their rods are not removed from them. It is different for certificate holders.
Examples are: -
• Domestic arguments and physical fights. Police are taking these very seriously.
• Arguments and fights with alcohol taken.
• Driving offences, including speeding, careless or dangerous
driving. Isolated minor speeding offences are not normally determinative, but if there are a few of them within a short period, they can be. Historic road traffic convictions are often referred to in revocation letters.
• Inappropriate social media content.
• Memberships or associations with groups whom the police regard as nefarious.
• Neighbour disputes or ongoing feuds.
• Altercations with members of the public who are out (dog) walking.
These cases need to be extremely carefully managed. Certificate holders are effectively placed to a higher standard than other members of the public because the police use their common law powers to remove weapons and certificates, often in cases where they do not end up revoking certificates.
David McKie
3. Application/renewal
Individuals are expected to be transparent both in providing details of any previous convictions (if in doubt include them) and disclosing medical conditions. The guidance notes on the forms are ambiguous, but if in doubt, include anything of relevance on the form. Speak to your GP before completing the form to ensure you understand what the GP will tell the police in their report. Many people have been caught out in applications for certificates and then prosecuted with criminal offences for failing to disclose material information about their medical history.
You should be fully transparent with the police and if you have a condition midway through your five year term, you should probably disclose this to the police. I appreciate there is some nuance and discretion in each individual case and all
cases must be treated on their merits.
This article is designed principally to confirm that I will be happy to assist with any queries arising. I do not charge for a preliminary call (however long it takes!). If you are approached by the police for whatever reason, always take legal advice and, if possible,
before speaking to the police. If it is not possible, take legal advice as quickly as possible thereafter in order that you are aware of your rights and the best way of handling any issue.
The vast majority of certificate holders have never had contact with the police other than every five years when they come in to check the cabinets
David McKie
deal with renewals. By far and away the majority of my clients who come to the attention of the police are law abiding, decent people who have made mistakes or a misunderstanding has arisen. All that remains is for me to wish you an enjoyable season ahead and to say that I hope you do not have to call me! If you do, my details are below.
Glorious 12th marked the start of the grouse season in Scotland, with focus on conservation
By Neil Gunn Wildlife Estates Scotland Project Manager
On the 12th of August, the first guns took to the heather-clad hills to celebrate the start of the grouse season in time-honoured tradition.
At West Glenalmond Estate, near Crieff, members of the Newton family travelled from Sussex to enjoy the very first drives of the year amidst the beauty of the moors. West Glenalmond is renowned not just for its excellent sport, but also for its commitment to conservation and biodiversity. Gamekeepers and land managers work year-round to protect and enhance habitats for a diverse range of birds and mammals — many of which are declining in other parts of the UK.
One of the shooting party, Marc Newton, who is also the CEO of John Rigby and Co, highlighted the variety of wildlife surrounding them on the moors, adding that West Glenalmond’s breathtaking landscape is a huge part of the appeal. West Glenalmond’s commitment to conservation has been recognised with Level 2 accreditation from Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) since 2023. WES is the national branch of a prestigious European initiative promoting sustainable land use that incorporates 19 countries. Impressively, Scotland is currently second place in the league table of Wildlife Estates accredited land in Europe, with only Spain ahead.
The estate’s careful management supports a wide range of species, with over 100 bird species recorded. These include red-listed birds such as Lapwing, Greenfinch, Curlew, Swift, Golden Plover and Oystercatcher. These birds thrive thanks to dedicated predator control, habitat restoration and environmental stewardship.
West Glenalmond is also a key partner in the Riverwoods project, a multiorganisation initiative focusing on the headwaters of the River Almond. This collaboration prioritises ecological outcomes such as natural flood management, improved water quality, carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity and increased countryside access - with benefits for both the environment and local communities.
The careful combination of targeted predator control, lighttouch land management and controlled burning in the colder months which all help grouse to breed successfully, also create the right conditions for all kinds of other wildlife to thrive, from waders and songbirds to hares and butterflies.
This year, as in previous years, initiatives undertaken by three recently WES accredited estates (Finzean, Glen Creran and Reay Forest), further demonstrate how integrated and sustainable land management
can provide a win-win for both the environment and the objectives of rural businesses.
Finzean Estate, nestled in the Grampian hills, balances sustainable business and tourism activities with wildlife conservation, protection of the environment and the provision of local amenities.
The woodlands at Finzean are of great biodiversity value, home to rare species including Black Grouse and Capercaillie, which are in decline in other parts of the country. Natural expansion of the native woodland and hedgerows is another encouraging sign that conservation measures are working well. In addition, the estate works with local people and groups to provide sites for housing at low cost; this sustains local communities and enables people to continue to live in the area.
In Argyll, the land at Glen Creran Estate rises from near sea level to over 900 metres in places. While limited by the topography, Glen Creran’s efforts to encourage mixed native woodland regeneration have yielded positive results. For the past five years, Glen Creran has been working on the reintroduction of wild salmon in the River Creran and the Ure, in close collaboration with the Argyll Fisheries Trust. The estate uses a hatchery to support the wild population, eventually returning the fish and any new eggs to the rivers from which they were caught.
Reay Forest Estate in Sutherland is one of the three rural estates in the Grosvenor Estates’ portfolio.
A traditional rural estate, famed for its deer, trout and salmon, the extensive work
conducted includes measuring the soil’s ability to store carbon and water – as well as an innovative pilot investigating whether environmental DNA in soils can be used as an indicator of soil health.
Reay Forest is also working in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Trust to restore critically endangered wild Atlantic salmon populations. It is hoped the project will restore 118km2 of the landscape – an area the size of urban Manchester –with up to a million trees being planted, thereby enhancing biodiversity and benefitting the whole ecosystem.
Many landholdings are already following best practice in all aspects of game and wildlife management, and indeed have sought to do so for generations. Whenever I talk to land managers in Scotland, they tell me that protecting rare species and the fragile habitats
they rely on is not only a duty, but a joy.
The advantage of WES membership is that it is an opportunity to formally demonstrate a commitment to sustainable land management that supports and enhances biodiversity, which includes a requirement to follow best practice. WES Accreditation is rigorous and independently assessed, requiring members to consider holistically all aspects of their land management and monitoring activities.
The success of the grouse season, and a commitment to active conservation, are two sides of the same coin. Accreditation through WES demonstrates how active conservation and sporting interests can go hand in hand. If you are interested in learning more about WES, please visit our webpage at: https://www. scottishlandandestates.co.uk/ wildlife-estates-scotland.
Deer Management Groups can be proud of what they continue to achieve
By Tom Turnbull, Chair, ADMG
ADMG has been working hard on behalf of its members to ensure that their voices and concerns are heard as the Natural Environment Bill progresses through the Parliamentary process. I gave evidence to the RAI Committee in April having previously participated earlier in the year as part of a Committee panel discussion, and we continue to liaise with this Committee and MSPs in respect of the Bill and its Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment. We do have some significant concerns around the Bill - in particular the use of restoration and enhancement as triggers for intervention by NatureScot. We have requested that NatureScot provides case studies, showing how this new trigger might be implemented as well as various scenarios as to how it applies in differing landscapes.
It would be easy to have fears about the future, but I am inclined to consider instead some of the positives that we have seen develop over the last few years. I believe we are already delivering much of what is being asked of us by Scottish Government. Considerable woodland creation is being undertaken and peatland restoration continues to be carried out all over the Highlands, we are collaborating, delivering culls and monitoring habitat.
Deer Management Groups are working hard to ensure that their members work together to deliver sustainable deer
management with deer welfare to the fore. Despite a more diverse set of land management objectives DMGs are finding ways to continue to discuss deer management. The Common Ground Forum has grown and has helped difficult discussions, but most importantly has helped bring deer managers together. The stalkers’ events at Glen Quoich, Fealar and Glenfalloch have been particularly helpful, allowing the upland stalkers’ voices to be heard by MSPs and civil servants. The CGF stalkers committee should be commended for all its hard work on these events. I would also like to encourage all DMGs to sign the Common Ground Accord.
We have held two meetings for DMG Chairs in the last year to discuss the challenges of enabling collaborative deer management and to provide ADMG with feedback on how we can better represent and support our members. We continue to support Scottish Venison which is gaining cross sector support from producers and some processors and continues to raise awareness for venison and represent the venison sector with some significant steps forward.
We have heard that our members would like to see us more on the front foot when it comes to messaging, and with this in mind ADMG has expanded its social media presence to Instagram and LinkedIn. This will enable
us to get some more positive messaging across to our members on the work that we undertake for them and also to a wider audience to promote and educate about the work that deer managers do in the public interest. Much of what DMGs do goes unnoticed and we will be engaging with all our member Groups for their positive news and images which we can then promote far and wide.
Despite discussion and debate that continues at Holyrood around the Bill, it remains absolutely clear to me
that we are a forward-thinking sector that has pioneered collaborative land management. We are delivering on targets for Scottish Government whilst not losing sight of the importance of the people and heritage within our deer management community. As a sector, deer managers and in particular Deer Management Groups can be very proud of what they continue to achieve.
This Article was first published in the ADMG magazine SCOPE, July 2025.
Tom Turnbull
Muirburn or (com)bust?
By Hugh Webster Rewilding Relations
Scotland – The Big Picture
The growing impact of wildfires in Scotland’s warming climate has reignited debate around muirburn and the new legislation controlling its use. Muirburn advocates argue that controlled burns prevent the natural build-up of vegetation, so if a wildfire occurs in an area that has already been burned, there is less fuel available to feed the fire. Fresh muirburn scars may also serve as firebreaks.
But there are other ways that muirburn may increase the risk of wildfire. It’s well documented that muirburn causes a significant number of wildfires, whenever these ostensibly controlled burns escape our control. Over time, muirburn can also increase the dominance of molinia grass and heather vegetation over blanket bog vegetation, creating and maintaining a more fire-prone environment.
Nonetheless, a recent study that mapped Scottish wildfires between 2015 and 2020 found very limited overlap between those areas affected by wildfire and those showing a visible history of muirburn. This pattern supports the idea that reducing fuel loads lowers fire risk, but the study’s authors noted that it could also be explained by other factors, such as better fire
prevention efforts on managed estates, or fewer people lighting campfires in those areas. Notably, the study also found that while the area affected by wildfire was generally lowest in areas of low to medium intensity muirburn, it was often higher in places of higher muirburn intensity. If nothing else, muirburn interrupts the development of natural habitats, including
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native woodlands which, as the influential ecologist Oliver Rackham noted, ‘burn like wet asbestos.’ It’s why most firewood has to be seasoned. Put a fresh log on the fire and the most you can hope for is a smokey hiss. It’s not a coincidence that the largest UK wildfires occur on moorlands, heathlands and grasslands, petering out when confronted with damp woods. The one species of native tree that does burn easily whilst alive is Scots pine. But pinewoods in the milder, more humid west of Scotland typically include stands of birch, rowan, alder, willow, holly and hazel. In these more diverse environments, wildfires come up against natural firebreaks. And even if pinewoods in the drier east may be relatively vulnerable to wildfire, it hardly follows that we should abandon our ambitions for the restoration of these cherished habitats.
Furthermore, while muirburn may offer one way to reduce the risk of wildfire, it comes with its own costs. After both controlled burns and wildfires, peatlands can develop waterrepellent crusts and blocked microchannels, which increase surface runoff, raise streamflow peaks and worsen erosion. And of course, muirburn prevents woodland regeneration, with naturally wooded catchments serving to reduce flood risk by intercepting rainfall and helping water soak into the ground. We might then ask, which is the greater risk – or bigger threat –in our changing climate: wildfire or flooding?
Spring muirburn also threatens ground-nesting birds, amphibians and reptiles - one reason the existing muirburn period is being shortened - while muirburn’s negative impacts on wildlife can extend even beyond the moors. A study in
Northern England compared the diversity of large invertebrates across ten rivers, five draining burned catchments and five draining unburned catchments. It showed that rivers draining burned catchments supported significantly lower taxonomic richness, with especially reduced abundance and diversity among mayflies.
Carbon is another concern. Peatland soils in the UK uplands are an important carbon store - or at least, they should be. Thanks to their poor state, our peatlands have become net carbon emitters, a disaster partly attributed to the inappropriate use of muirburn. Muirburn also causes air pollution, with no clear data supporting claims that muirburn in Scotland may cause a net decrease in airborne pollutants (such as has been documented following controlled burns in the very different environment of California). If every square inch
of ground subjected to muirburn would otherwise burn in a larger wildfire, then muirburn would certainly mean a net reduction in air pollution, but this simply isn’t the case.
Ultimately, questions about pollution and carbon sequestration depend not only on whether muirburn helps prevent wildfires, but also on whether there are alternative ways to achieve the same benefits - and we know there are. Whilst not practicable everywhere, mowing offers a fire-free approach to reducing fuel loads, while carefully managed grazing provides another. But the best option for making vulnerable peatlands more resilient is through rewetting. Blocking drainage ditches, adding dams and removing any extractive pressure helps to secure the carbon these peaty soils contain, buffering them against the risk of fire. Unlike muirburn, rewetting
also reduces flood risk, slowing runoff into rivers.
There are those who do not recognise Scotland’s biodiversity crisis. But in the end, a perspective that sees natural vegetation only as potential fuel, and dismisses the public appetite for ecosystem restoration, misses the point. There may be times when muirburn remains a useful tool, but its negative impacts should not be ignored. It is wholly right that the new legislation seeks to address these impacts. Scotland cannot abandon all its ambitions for restoring ecosystems simply because such restoration may bring a short-term increase in wildfire risk in some areas. Rather than retreating from restoration, we must step up our efforts to prevent wildfires – by rewetting perilously dry moorlands, expanding naturally fire-resistant habitats, and cracking down on avoidable ignition sources like campfires, carelessly discarded
cigarettes and bottles, and disposable barbecues. More than anything, we need a more integrated approach to fire risk management.
More than 95% of wildfires in Europe are caused by human activities, a powerful reminder that the simplest way to prevent wildfires is not to start fires in the first place. But if some wildfires are inevitable, there’s more than one way to reduce their threat. An increasingly holistic approach to landscape planning is now being adopted in many European countries, integrating the restoration of naturally fireresistant habitats with traditional tools like prescribed burns. This is helping to build resilience, boost biodiversity and secure the ecosystems which we depend on for our own wellbeing. Rather than depend exclusively on muirburn to manage wildfire risk, Scotland should develop a similarly holistic approach.
Tying land managers’ hands means everyone loses
By Kenneth Stephen, The Scottish Gamekeepers Association
Why is it that there is tonnage more talk about the negative impacts of land managers’ work and comparatively little about the myriad benefits?
Open a draft Bill on Climate or Environment, or a Government report, and it can be guaranteed that there will be countless recommendations on how things must be changed.
Seeking progress is a good thing. People understand that but questions are rightly asked when legislation makes it harder and harder for land managers to do their job, whilst bringing about negligible gains.
What is lacking is a thorough understanding of the tipping points and when, by making new law, the country – and its environment and landscapes- actually lose.
At the SGA, we have been talking to MSPs about the value of land manager work which is given to Scotland largely free of charge.
What would happen to farm incomes if gamekeepers didn’t control foxes at lambing time? What would the negative
environmental impacts be if river ghillies didn’t volunteer to set their Mink traps? Which part of the stretched public purse could have met the bill for the free fire management resource given by gamekeepers at the recent Cairngorms wildfires? Without thorough trapping regimes across Scotland’s uplands, what costs would be felt by red listed species? What value can you place on the skilled deer management which means less members of the public being forced into insurance claims due to deer/ vehicle collisions?
Where land managers work, other things benefit, whether it is the cows depositing their dung into the soil or moorland gamekeepers keeping tick at bay by treating sheep.
There is very little gains to be made, either economic or environmental, from making it so hard for land managers to do their work that they consider whether it is worth continuing at all. Decision makers need to understand this and stop pushing people to the brink.
www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Inveralmond Business Centre.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE
Are coastal communities next to suffer?
By Jake Swindells
Sea fishing has been my greatest passion for as long as I can remember. I class myself as a Countryman and, apart from a small portion of my existence, I have lived in a rural area for most of my life. I helped out on a shooting estate during my school years and am a keen deer stalker to
this day, but I will often return home, to the West Coast of Scotland to wet a line on the rugged coastline whenever time allows.
There’s something about returning to the secret spots that you discovered as a child to see if it still holds the number of fish that it used
to. Cooking your catch on a beach fire as the sun dips down behind Northern Ireland and the skies glow Orange is hard to beat.
This kind of upbringing has created such a strong love of coastal living for me, and this is something that I am very happy to have passed on to my
Jake Swindells
daughter Ettie. She is 7 years old and, at the time of writing, is 4 fish ahead of me for the year. She also caught her first fish on a fly rod just a few weeks ago and so has clearly got the bug. Could all this be coming to an abrupt end, though?
Our UK coastal areas depend largely on fishing
West coast slipway sunset
and agriculture to survive. In South-West Scotland, The Mull of Galloway Sea Angling Festival has become one of the biggest events in the UK’s angling calendar. It brings in vital revenue for the local (and extremely rural) economy and has put a long-forgotten corner of Scotland on the map. Local businesses, from cafés to fuel stations, all benefit, but this is now potentially under threat.
A recent report published by the Scottish Animal Welfare Committee (SAWC) has suggested that fish should be given the same welfare considerations as other sentient animals. The report states that the public do not see fish as creatures with feelings - “Humans may have different affective responses to fish, for example, they may be seen as less ‘cute’ than some other species or because of particular human affective responses to species such as sharks”.
The majority of us already practice high levels of care and welfare when fishing. We have minimum size regulations when targeting fish and are sensitive to seasonal restraint in many cases. The majority of recreational anglers do not want to jeopardise the welfare of any fish being returned or their beloved pastime being adversely affected by intentionally harming any fish they have caught. We advocate for self-regulation and continued improvement, but what if The Scottish Government decide to act on the SAWC report, as they have done previously within the hunting and shooting industry? A heavy-handed approach by the Scottish Government is not the way forward and the potential introduction of what could be devastating legislation for our way of life may follow. Just imagine the impact if we are told that we are no longer allowed to fish
for recreational purposes and only commercial outfits can operate as they are not fishing for sport.
The sea fishing industry employs around 4,000 people in Scotland and brings in £335m into the economy north of the border. A good percentage of this is made up of recreational angling and business contributions, such as tackle shops and charter boats. Our commercial fleet has also taken a battering of late with Labour using our waters as a bargaining chip when overly restrictive contracts were about to come to an end. Not only are commercial fishing fleets having to contend with revised fishing rights imposed by the UK government, SAWC have
suggested that all catches should be individually counted! A preposterous idea, which does not take into account bycatch rules imposed by Marine Scotland or the additional expense from new machinery onboard vessels to count the fish being landed.
In addition, we cannot underestimate the positive impact that recreational fishing has on the mental health and wellbeing of anglers, with the effect during the Covid pandemic proving to be significant. Angling was permitted at the time as it was recognised as a real health benefit. It is well known that fishing is a healthy outdoor activity, improving mental well-being, increased social
interaction and allows us to be at one with nature in the great outdoors.
Whilst we agree that fish are somewhat sentient creatures, imposing restrictions on an already heavily impacted industry is not the way forward. With the Scottish elections looming in 2026, the SNP Government would be wise to think long and hard before imposing further legislation on the fishing industry and throwing yet another rural sector under the bus. My organisation will be meeting with MSP’s and Ministers in the coming months in an attempt to halt this before it gains traction. This is something I will be keeping a very close eye on.
Cod and Pollock in Shetland
scottish venison
Scottish Venison gets upgrade
There’s a lot happening with Scottish Venison. From 1 July the trade organisation the Scottish Venison Association (SVA) which represents all Scottish venison producers and processors, wild and farmed, public and private sector, merged officially with the quality mark Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV). This has resulted in a new business, Scottish Venison Ltd with two separate but closely related functions, representation and quality.
In addition, Scottish Venison has a new look - gone is the old logo for a new modern, crisp design much more in keeping with today’s food sector, and coupled with that comes a new website www. scottish-venison.com launched
officially on Scottish Venison Day 4 September where much more emphasis has been placed on engaging with the consumer. A suite of new recipes, all with ‘how to’ instructions and bright and engaging photography has been curated by venison ambassador and acclaimed chef Tim Maddams. These range from the simple to the more complex and for everyday use –casseroles, barbecues, venison mince, haunch and steaks with a lot of different ways to cook and present them. There will be new seasonal additions (watch out for Christmas!)
For those who stock or sell Scottish venison, whether over the counter or mail order, a listing on the website is free. If this would benefit you to find
out more contact mail@scottishvenison.com
In addition to the website there will be much higher visibility with Scottish Venison on Instagram, Facebook and X (twitter), plus those interested can subscribe via the website for regular news.
The priorities for Scottish Venison are driven by its strategy Beyond the Glen Revisited which was updated and then relaunched at a Scottish Venison summit at Birnam in 2023. It outlines the importance of building effective supply chains in addition to those that service the main markets of multiple retail, food service, events and catering, and independent retail. The drive is on to encourage more venison to be processed and available locally and, as the number of deer harvested per annum gradually increases (Government has set targets for an additional 50,000 deer in Scotland to be culled annually) then there will be a ready source of healthy raw material available, but it’s important that this is then processed safely and legally to meet local demand, building
further on venison’s recognised low-carbon credentials.
Local processing has been supported by Government funding via the covid recovery fund for three new pilot processing projects in south west Scotland, north Argyll and Morayshire, and a second round of funding has just been made available from NatureScot via SAOS to support smaller scale local processing across the low ground predominantly roe deer populated areas with grants of up to 50% made available for purchasing new kit or improving existing facilities. 13 new projects were supported through round 1 earlier this year and it is hoped that a similar number or more can be given a leg-up with funding from round 2.
A lot of time is currently also being dedicated to opening up new channels in the public sector to service and supply schools, hospitals and other public sector opportunities, and the SVA is working very closely with the Scottish Government, Scotland Food and Drink and others to support this important development.
Asian spiced venison rice bowl. The recipe is on the new website.
Firearms Licensing in the UK Change…
By Fraser Lamb
Scottish Association for Country Sports (SACS)
Over the last few months, you may have noticed that significant changes are occurring in the world of firearm legislation. Firstly, the fees for firearms licensing matters have been significantly increased to include full cost recovery. In fairness, the fees hadn’t risen since 2015 and were overdue an increase; however, the clear political intention was to cover
the public costs of the firearms licensing system. It is still too early to submit the required FOI request to identify how many panda cars have been purchased with the extra money. That will be for next year.
Another change will be the move away from lead ammunition, which will occur in 2029. Sound moderators are also being removed from
certification. On 5 August 2025, the Home Office published the new statutory guidance on firearms licensing law, which Chief Constables must have regard to. There have also been changes to the application process.
The Government is keen to reinforce its intention to bolster public safety. To be clear, certain recent atrocities have
been committed with legally held firearms. It’s a sad fact, but it’s true. However, these events are incredibly rare and they can be surprisingly hard to quantify. It turns out that official statistics don’t differentiate between gun violence perpetrated by certificate holders and organised criminality undertaken by those who have gained access to prohibited weapons. This is an
important point, paraphrased (but not qualified by any data) in the National Crime Agency’s 2025 National Strategic Assessment, which explains that “legally-held firearms are rarely used criminally by the lawful owner”.
It is against this backdrop that the Government has signalled an intention to consult on a review of the firearms licensing process. An item of specific review will be the suitability of the processes surrounding the licensing of Section 1 firearms (rifles, etc) and Section 2 firearms (shotguns).
As it stands, these two processes are quite different. The tests set out in the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) are different for each type of firearm. A person in the UK must have a good reason to possess each Section 1 firearm and its ammunition, and they must have an authority to possess such a firearm and ammunition. In contrast, a shotgun certificate holder can have as many shotguns as they wish. Having repeatedly asked a number of policy officials with decades of experience in the firearms licensing world, none have ever been able to provide a reasonable explanation for why these tests were different.
The world has changed since 1968, but despite constant tinkering, the fundamental building blocks of the old Act remain. Technology has been improved to a unimaginable extent over the last fifty seven years, and certificate holders are now under constant passive surveillance through various means and channels. The police will immediately know if there have been calls to a certificate holder’s address, if holders are alleged to have committed any offences or have been linked to criminality. They’ll also know if there are any health concerns via the GP process. Since COVID, there has been an acceptance of risk-assessed renewals, whereby people don’t get a visit from the police at renewals. It is clear that the authorities have access
to significant information about all of us, and perhaps certificate holders should simply accept this as the price of having access to their guns. A tiny number of people fall foul of the system each year, and while some are justified, others are not.
There are strong arguments against changing the application processes for Section 1 and 2 firearms. Both include ‘danger to the public safety’ clauses already, and this is an overarching intention of the legislation. To introduce a specific “good reason” clause for each shotgun would not only be bureaucratically overbearing for the police, it would catastrophically impact the gun trade in respect of sales and servicing. It would also have far-reaching effects on people who pose no danger whatsoever to public safety – and may lose access to their property. It is essential that when the consultation appears, the shooting community’s voice is clear and emphatic. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that our views are heard – apathy is not an option.
It is perhaps not widely known that there are different tests for revoking a Firearm Certificate (FAC) and a Shotgun Certificate (SGC). It is easier for the police to revoke a FAC than an SGC - in the former case, the police only need to have a reason to believe that someone is ‘a danger to public safety or to the peace’. In the case of an SGC, the police have to be satisfied that a person is a danger to public safety or to the peace. The difference in the words reason to believe and satisfied is significant - and in certain cases it has led to people having an FAC revoked but not an SGC. This is nonsensical, and it is agreed that these sections of the 1968 Act should be reviewed.
There is now an opportunity for the Government to take a radical step. It may be considered that the greatest threat to public safety is the organisational structures of the firearms licensing functions of the 43 English and Welsh
www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com
By Ian Clark WPA Member & Trustee
Since it was first established in 1975, the World Pheasant Association (WPA) has grown into a highly focused, forward-thinking body of conservationists, with satellite groups around the world. In September 2025 the WPA will celebrate having successfully been protecting Galliformes for 50 years.
A UK registered charity, The World Pheasant Association is committed to the conservation of Galliformes and the habitats they depend on, promoting their conservation worldwide through scientific research, population management, local community education and in-situ projects. Initially founded by a small group of aviculturists interested in the conservation of pheasants and game birds, the charity’s remit has since expanded to encompass the Megapodes, Cracids, Grouse, Partridge, Francolin and Quail of the World. Conservation Breeding Groups manage studbooks and genetic bloodline records, and the Scientific Advisory Committee assist in population analysis, genetics and field monitoring. Fundraising,
International Symposia, open days, charity clay shoots and other events allow like-minded aviculturists to get together for the conservation cause.
Following the successful 2025 charity clay shoots, at the time of writing the WPA is gearing up for it’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations –a weekend of bird-centric events, visits, tours and talks. Highlights of the weekend include an illustrated talk from acclaimed science writer Matt Ridley and a behind the scenes tour at ZSL to look at their carefully managed breeding programmes and contribution to the Extinct in the Wild species recovery programmes.
Further afield, projects such as the reintroduction of the Vietnam Pheasant, the community-based conservation Pipar Project in Nepal and many more all continue to benefit from the fundraising efforts and collective knowledge of the WPA and plans are forging ahead as they step into their 51st year. Events, project and membership details can be found on the website: www. pheasant.org.uk
forces, who each interpret the legislation and guidance in differing ways. Some are exceptionally good, while others are poor in providing firearms licensing services to the public. There is a view that a wholesale top-to-bottom review of firearms licensing processes is required now. Radical decisions are needed to prevent further tragedies, and while it’s easy to blame the person who has perpetrated a crime with a firearm, the immediate follow-up question is why that person was allowed to have the gun in the first place. Too often, the firearms licensing staff are blamed as well - and more often than not, it turns out that these people are overworked, under-resourced and badly supported.
The provision of regional processing centres based upon local delivery is certainly achievable, efficient and effective. Scotland is perfect proof of this, and progress towards similar processes in other parts of the country should certainly be examined. This will not only likely lead to a better service for certificate holders, but the chances are that it will
also provide for a more robust and professionally curious process, with knowledgeable and experienced centrally located managers being able to advise Chief Constables in respect of matters of refusal or revocation. Given that this Government wants to effect change, there is now an opportunity to drive this forward. Claiming that “it’s too complicated” is not an option.
Scottish Association for Country Sports (SACS)
Tel: 01350 724 228
Charity announces new ambassador for the Highlands & Islands
The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust is delighted to announce Stewart Blair has taken up the role of GWT Ambassador for the Highlands and Islands.
Stewart, who is a Programme Leader for UHI North, West and Hebrides, has considerable breadth of experience to draw on in his support of the charity. GWT’s CEO Helen MJ Benson says “Stewart has worked in gamekeeping and other rural sectors as well as education which is invaluable in supporting young people. He has a superb combination of professional and personal experience and we are thrilled he has agreed to become our Ambassador in Northern Scotland .”
Stewart has been involved shooting and pest control all his life. His journey began as a YTS student in 1988 at Mèoble Estate in Lochaber. Following this he worked on a range of estates, including Loch Choire, and spent time with the former Red Deer Commission before joining the Forestry Commission in Argyll. From there, he moved to Aberdeenshire where he was a gamekeeper at Dunecht Estate, before crossing the hill to Kinveachy to become Head Keeper. Following Kinveachy Stewart was self-employed for several years, an experience that ultimately led him into education, working with North Highland College (now known as
UHI North, West and Hebrides).
Stewart says “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have the support of various employers. I also fully understand the pressures that come with keepering—from long nights on the hill after a fox, to battling the elements when releasing poults, all while juggling legal responsibilities and family life. I have no regrets about my time in keepering. It’s a way of life I’m proud of, and I’m committed to supporting others in the wider keepering industry. It’s an absolute honour to be asked to take on the role of GWT Ambassador, and I look forward to giving back to a sector that has given me so much.”
Fiordland II
RRP: £340
UK Sizes 7 to 16
ARTISAN The
Introducing the craft work of Andrew Fothergill
The Crafty Antler Bio Andrew Fothergill has enjoyed working with natural materials since leaving school. Andrew went on to be a French Polisher where he excelled in the refurbishment of antique furniture which he also bought and sold. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with heart disease and could no longer follow this career.
With Andrews love of wildlife and the countryside he has invested the last 30 years following his passion in
shooting and fishing. Andrew is part of a shooting syndicate that rear pheasants in Fintry, Stirlingshire. How and when did
The Crafty Antler begin, as like most cottage craft businesses it was because of an item that was made. Andrew had previously made walking sticks for many years. In this instance
Andrew and his wife Sharon were having friends over for a Burns Supper and looking for a suitable table decoration. Andrew had been crafting in his
small workshop in their garden in Perthshire and said he had just the thing for the Scottish celebration. Andrew produced a stunning Antler candle centrepiece which his wife loved. Friends arrived and made comment to the centrepiece stating that it was such a beautiful and bespoke piece that Andrew could easily sell to the public.
The sourcing of the deer antlers is one of the most compelling aspects of Antler Crafts, Deer shed their antlers
annually and can be collected without harming the animals or the environment making it a very sustainable and an eco-friendly resource.
Each of the pieces Andrew creates evoke the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands and his craftsmanship is evident in the intricate detail and finish of every item including and exclusively adding a pewter pin to the crown. Andrew honours each antler understanding everyone holds a unique story, whispering of the
stags’ journey through beautiful and mysterious land.
The Crafty Antler is in the very beginning of its adventure
this includes showcasing at Country Fairs, gift shops such as The Queens View in Pitlochry and Etsy.
The feedback from customers has been amazing, keeping in mind his health Andrew is taking things at his pace and its very important
to him that quality remains paramount. He is looking forward to up-and-coming events and meeting more potential customers.
Two piece carving set with eagles head £260
Sgian Dubh £135
Red Deer Candle Centrrepiece £175
Six Steak Knives £175
The River Is Within Our Grasp Why Scotland’s Current Salmon Strategy Fails Both the Fish and the Industry
The story of Scotland’s Atlantic salmon is one of romance, tradition, and heartbreak. No other species embodies the wild soul of our rivers quite like the salmon. But beneath the poetic language of conservation, the cold truth is this: our salmon numbers are in crisis, and much of this decline is the result of political choices — not ecological inevitability.
Scotland’s current salmon conservation strategy, while noble in intention, is fundamentally flawed. It is failing both the fish and the people who depend on them. At its heart lies a purist philosophy that prizes “wild salmon” above pragmatic proactive management, and in doing so, it ignores both the industrial reality of our rivers and the economic model required to sustain a vibrant, self-funding fishing industry.
Let’s take the River Spey — our national jewel — as the
By Andrew McCaig
perfect example. At first glance, it appears wild and untamed. But look closer and you’ll see one of the most industrial rivers in Scotland. This is a working river — harnessed for hydropower, intensively managed for public and private water supply, and flowing through a landscape of farming, manufacturing and whisky production that generates a GDP greater than many small countries. This is something to be proud of — a river that drives national economic value while supporting local livelihoods.
And yet, our salmon strategy treats the Spey as if it were an untouched wilderness. Enhancement, stocking, and predator control are treated as taboo, relics of the past. It’s as though we want to benefit from the river’s industry — but conserve it as though it were pristine. That contradiction lies at the heart of our failure to recover stocks.
The Politics of Decline
The reality is this: the everdiminishing salmon returns we see today are not just the result of natural cycles or climate change — they are a political outcome. Decision-making has been hijacked by groups more concerned with perception than outcome. Boards have become risk-averse. Many professionals are entangled in relationships with public funding bodies, NGOs, and agencies. Taking bold steps — be it predator control or targeted enhancement — risks upsetting those relationships. The result? Paralysis.
And all the while, vast sums are being levied from beat owners across Scotland. These funds could finance the very interventions that would turn things around. Just look at the Carron in Wester Ross, where Bob Kindness has demonstrated the power of river-specific, careful stock enhancement. Even
in the face of in river and marine losses, local intervention has yielded a measurable increase in returning adults.
We have the funds. We have the tools. What we lack is the will to act.
In-River Loss: A Hidden Crisis
Perhaps the greatest scandal is the scale of juvenile loss within the rivers themselves. Up to 50% of migrating juvenile salmon never even make it to sea. Predation, competition, poor habitat, and lack of flow management all play their part. Yet the available tools — from local predator control to structural improvements — go unused.
One of the clearest examples of this inaction is the rise of brown trout populations in the Spey. Once in balance with salmon, brown trout have flourished under blanket catchand-release policies. This is a textbook case of unintended
Fly fishing on
consequences: juvenile brown trout dominate prime spawning and nursery areas, outcompete young salmon, and in many cases directly predate on salmon eggs and fry.
Many scientific journals describe this as a “predatory pit” — a state where the predator species thrives while preventing the recovery of its prey. And yet, despite clear evidence, no mitigation stocking or management has been pursued. No argument has been made by the Spey board to counteract the imbalance. We’ve allowed good intentions — catch-and-release — to undermine the recovery of the very species we aim to protect.
Harvesting trout isn’t an act of destruction — it’s part of restoring balance.
Unintended Consequences
The same dynamic of well-meant intervention backfiring plays out throughout the river and marine environment. When Scotland’s netting stations were bought out — at significant cost — the hope was simple: more salmon would return to our rivers. What wasn’t fully understood was the ecological function those stations performed in managing seal populations.
Without the netting stations, seal numbers have soared. Predation pressure on returning salmon and especially sea trout has increased dramatically. But we now find ourselves unable to respond. A trade agreement with the United States blocks any meaningful seal control, lest it jeopardise access to farmed salmon export markets.
Even before that agreement, many boards refused to act — not due to lack of evidence, but due to fear of public backlash. That’s a clear conflict of interest, where river managers prioritised optics and career safety over the long-term health of the fishery.
No Fish, No Industry
We must be honest about the link between salmon numbers and economic viability. On the Spey, a handful of the beats catch the majority of fish. These beats drive
the whole river’s economy. If they fail to deliver catches, clients stop coming. If clients stop coming, there is no money — not for bailiffs, not for ghillies, not for river work, not for science.
We cannot preserve salmon by simply not catching them. That’s not conservation — that’s abdication. If we continue down this road, we won’t just lose a species — we’ll lose an entire rural economy, a heritage, and a way of life.
• Control trout, perch and pike. Harvest them. Restore balance. Take pride in eating what you catch.
• Where problems cannot be mitigated — enhance. Stock the river. Do it with care, evidence and scale.
• Call out the conflicts of interest. Demand transparency from boards and agencies. Ask who benefits when action is delayed.
• Celebrate the river’s industry. The Spey is not a national park. It is a national asset. Let’s manage it like one.
The fashionable techniques for river restoration and passive conservation will take many years before delivering measurable benefits — if they deliver them at all. And it must be made clear to the fishing community that there is no intention to return us to abundance, because those days are now viewed as engineered. No matter the method — rewilding, regulation, or enhancement — the complexity of river and marine ecosystems means there is no silver bullet.
But every action has a reaction. And passive management often amplifies existing problems. Doing nothing can be worse than doing something imperfect.
What we will not return to is blanket stocking and engineered river systems to allow salmon to be harvested. But we can and must
pursue a hybrid strategy: focused river restoration, active in-river management, and careful, targeted stocking to ensure more juveniles make it to sea. That is the most direct, scalable, and controllable intervention available to us — and one we’re currently failing to maximise, especially on our big rivers.
We stand at a crossroads. One path leads to more committees, more delays, and fewer fish. The other path leads to action, accountability, and the recovery of our rivers.
The river is within our grasp. It always has been. But only if we stop pretending we don’t know how to save it.
We love a good soup chez nous and, as the nights draw in, here’s an easy slow-cooked solution for an evening by the log stove. Rewilders would have us bring back wolves to combat deer populations. Not in our house! With personal experience of Swedish friends living within reach of a wolf pack, we would warn of unintended consequences, added to which Scotland is simply not big enough for these top predators that require vast swathes of land. Rather promote venison as a tasty healthy red meat packed with valuable protein, vitamins and minerals – perfect for school lunch menus too, as bangers, bolognaise and burgers. What’s not to love? Venison is readily available from Winston Churchill Venison, Rothiemurchus & Carmichael Estates.
Ingredients:
2 venison shanks
1 tsp mixed herbs – I use our home-dried marjoram and add a bayleaf
A good pinch of Blackthorn Salt
A few twists of black pepper
50g butter with a drizzle of Summer Harvest Rapeseed Oil
1 medium leek, rinsed & sliced
2 carrots, scrubbed & diced
1 parsnip, peeled & diced
3 medium potatoes, peeled & diced
150g pearl barley
Method:
• Place shanks in a soup pan, and cover completely with water. Simmer for 1½ hours, lid on, with bayleaf, salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile prepare vegetables by cleaning and slicing. Set aside.
• When the shanks have been cooking for an hour, add barley and continue cooking for further half hour. Leave simmering gently on the hob.
• In a separate pan, use the butter and oil to soften leeks and carrots a few minutes for a buttery flavour.
• Check the shanks and barley – the meat should be nearly ready and the barley al dente. Top up water if required.
• Next add remaining ingredients and simmer for another half hour until the vegetables are soft, the barley cooked and the meat falls from the bone.
• To serve, either go rustic or shred the meat from the bone using a spoon and fork and return to pan.
Serves 2 as a generous meal with buttered artisan bread. Alternatively set aside to cool then chill overnight – it is just as delicious the following day.
Wendy is a cook, food writer & campaigner for local sustainable produce & biodiversity. Founder Director of award-winning Scottish Food Guide, Scottish Cheese Trail & Scottish Farm Shops, Wendy is also Leader for Slow Food Ark of Taste & Cooks Alliance in Scotland, IGCAT Global Experts Network member, International Judge & co-founder of Scottish Bread Championship. She has co-written “Meadows: The Swedish Farmer & The Scottish Cook,” with her husband, on regenerative food production, available online & from selected farm shops.
Change and Challenge in the Modern Land-Based Sector: An Educational Perspective
By Stewart Blair Lecturer, UHI North, West and Hebrides
Land & Rural Studies
Since my last contribution, we’ve seen significant shifts across the sporting and environmental sectors—changes that have inevitably rippled into the world of education. The combined impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing climate emergency have fundamentally altered how we live, manage land, and deliver training and education.
At UHI, we found ourselves at a crossroads. With declining applications to our longstanding HNC in Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management, it was clear that the needs of the sector—and the aspirations of prospective students—were changing. In consultation with employers and industry professionals, we made the bold decision to cease delivery of the
old programme and replace it with a new offering: the HNC/D in Conservation and Wildlife Management.
A Calculated Gamble That’s Paid Off
This change was not without risk. However, the response has exceeded expectations. Applications have surged, with many students coming into the sector later in life or seeking to upskill for future roles in conservation and land use. Crucially, the new qualification is not just for keepers—it’s built for a wider audience working across sustainable deer management, ecological survey techniques, and upland ecology.
The course is delivered fully online, improving accessibility across rural and remote areas, but we still value hands-on experience. Students attend field trips and take part in Land Use Conferences, ensuring practical learning remains embedded within the curriculum.
Legislation Driving Change
The educational landscape is being shaped not just by student demand, but by an evolving legal framework. The passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill, and the addition of mountain hares to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, reflect a growing commitment to biodiversity and animal welfare. Likewise, national priorities around peatland restoration, tree planting, climate-resilient agriculture, and nature-based solutions are influencing how we think about land use and environmental management.
We’ve also seen how rapidly events—such as the recent wildfires in Morayshire—can highlight both the vulnerability of our landscapes and the need for genuine collaboration. Whether it’s government bodies, ENGOs, or private landowners, success now depends on a willingness to work together, listen, and share
knowledge.
New Tools, New Skills
Further change is coming in the form of practical deer management. The removal of the male deer close season, alongside moves towards non-lead ammunition and the legalisation of thermal and night-vision optics, represents a major shift in how deer control is carried out in Scotland.
These tools offer clear ecological and welfare benefits—but only when used responsibly. That’s why training and education are critical. We need to ensure that anyone using advanced optics or transitioning to new calibres is properly prepared and supported.
Smarter Learning for a Smarter Sector
There’s increasing recognition that traditional, one-size-fits-all qualifications don’t always meet the needs of a fast-changing workforce. Modular Continued Professional Development (CPD) awards, offering focused and flexible learning, may be a better fit for busy professionals already working in the field. UHI and other institutions are now exploring how best to deliver this kind of education.
A Sector Under Pressure—But Still Full of Promise
Let’s be honest—there has never been more pressure on those working in the gamekeeping and environmental sectors to “get it right.” Public attitudes are shifting. Legislation is tightening. The margin for error is narrowing.
But this is also a sector that has proven time and again its ability to adapt, evolve, and endure. There is still a future here—but it’s a different one, and it will require new thinking, new partnerships, and new skills.
Education is, and must remain, at the heart of that journey.
If interested, call us now on: 01847 889000, or look at our website: www.northhighland.uhi.ac.uk
www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com
There are always negative stories around the beginning of the grouse season designed to malign the gamekeeping profession, but the reality is that never should we have been so proud of our gamekeepers than in the here and now.
Recent extremes in weather which have contributed to wildfires devastating large areas of the Highlands brought responses which were nothing short of heroic in rural communities. Farmers, Gamekeepers, Stalkers and other local workers came together at considerable personal risk to support firefighters as they battled to bring raging fires under control. High winds have brought trees across roads and cut off power lines, and again it was often those same people who cleared the way with chain saws and bare hands. These recent examples and other community work keep people out of danger and rescue the unwary on a regular basis. Lost or unprepared hill walkers, vehicles bogged down, the list is endless of those who regularly assist
without expectation of any recognition or response other than making people safe. There are those who have changed the title of gamekeeper to respond to the demands of public opinion which is often based on misperception and a lack of understanding. There are those who are considering a change of title. The role of gamekeeper has changed over the centuries, that is true but fundamentally remains a job which encompasses a wide range of skills. Above all, that of conserving wildlife and environment with a deep understanding of ecology, fieldcraft and the balance of nature.
The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust similarly encompasses a wide range of support from health to housing, employment to retirement, relationships to family assistance, financial help to planning and budgeting. Gamekeepers, Stalkers, Ghillies; all these titles and more are within the remit of support from the Trust and are nothing short of national treasures.
www.thegamekeeperswelfaretrust.com
Second round of funding open for low ground venison supply chain
A second phase of the Low Ground Venison Supply Chain Pilot Project opens in midAugust, encouraging low ground deer stalkers to apply for assistance to improve their carcass handling facilities, in turn enabling them to cull more lowland deer and increase throughput.
The pilot fund, secured by NatureScot and SAOS (the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society) sees SAOS administer the project working closely with Lowland Deer Network Scotland and Scottish Venison.
Phase two of the Pilot, with a fund of £95k, goes live on 15 August. Fourteen applicants have so far been awarded grants as part of the pilot scheme. These have predominantly been for match funding towards new chiller facilities and other larder improvements to facilitate a more professional approach throughout the supply chain.
Applications should:
• Demonstrate best practice for carcass handling and the potential for increased throughput.
• Demonstrate a sound business case and how the facility will be sustainably managed for the future.
• Be based and delivered within Lowland Deer Network Scotland (LDNS)’s Scottish operational lowland area, showing no conflicts with other facilities and potential benefits to multiple actors.
• Demonstrate willingness to supply follow-up details on how the facility performs.
Richard Cooke, Chair of Scottish Venison, commented: “There was a good level of interest in the previous round of this scheme, and we are optimistic that confidence will grow in this initiative to deliver
support for low ground deer managers for handling their carcasses. Low ground supply of venison into the food chain has been a challenge that we have recognised in the Scottish Venison strategy and this project, which we welcome, has a valuable role to play in supporting how we overcome that.”
Pete Moore, from NatureScot’s Wildlife Management Team, said: “We’ve listened to the views of the deer management sector seeking increased funding for venison supply chains, particularly in low
ground parts of Scotland. We hope that this grant will allow more smaller producers of venison in these areas to improve their handling and storage facilities.
“We think it’s a good offer that will help to raise standards and safeguard the supply of venison to the public. We have been at pains to make the application and claim process as simple as possible and look forward to hearing from many more applicants in this round of funding.”
John Bruce, Chairman of Lowland Deer Network Scotland, added: “I’m really
proud that after surveying low ground stalkers and evidencing their need for improving their chillers, that we have worked with partners to be able to run this grant scheme. I hope that many stalkers take up this opportunity.”
The scheme is open to stalkers and groups and will run until 26 September with successful applicants notified by the mid-October.
SAOS staff are available to help with applications and initial enquiries should be directed to venison@saos.coop
Rural Scotland’s fibre network set to expand following £40m bespoke lending solution from AlphaReal
AlphaReal, the real assets investment manager, has agreed a bespoke lending solution with Highland Broadband, which will enable rural communities throughout Scotland to benefit from a new £50 million investment in Highland Broadband’s ultrafast broadband network. This includes £40 million from AlphaReal and £10 million from the Scottish National Investment Bank.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, recently announced the new capital secured, as the company prepares for a significant expansion of its fibre network.
Highland Broadband has already connected 50% of rural premises in the Scottish Highlands to full fibre infrastructure. The new funding
ensures that the company can continue expanding its fibre network across rural Scotland, aiming to reach over 150 small towns and villages in the coming year.
Brad Bauman, Head of Alternative Credit at AlphaReal, said: “We are delighted to provide this initial facility to Highland Broadband. We have extensive experience in providing bespoke lending solutions across the debt spectrum, and as we expand into digital infrastructure, we look forward to working with Gavin and his team at Highland Broadband.”
Kate Forbes, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister said: “This is a significant success story for Scotland. The roll-out of Highland Broadband’s network has made a real difference to people and businesses in rural
areas, supporting jobs and boosting economic growth. I am delighted to see substantial new investment flowing into the company and the rural communities it serves, including a further £10 million from the Scottish National Investment Bank. This takes the Bank’s total investment to £60 million, which has helped Highland Broadband raise an additional £40 million of private capital.”
Gavin Rodgers, CEO of Highland Broadband, said: “This injection of £50 million of new capital means we have the funding as well as the capability to continue network expansion throughout rural Scotland. We are delighted to secure the backing of AlphaReal as a new funder and also welcome the ongoing support of the Scottish National Investment Bank.”
By Bob Whyte Ghillie on Catholes, Pitlochrie, Benchil and Luncarty on the River Tay
The Ghillie
It has been a far better summer, weather wise, which has impacted Salmon fishing throughout Scotland It has been much warmer, and rainfall has been at a premium
Firstly, it was a very dry spring with record low levels in some rivers and that had a continuation into the summer, impacting flows and making life difficult.
The Tay is a far bigger river than many, so even in dry periods there is still enough water for fish to run which is a blessing. However, it is still impacted by high water temperatures, at times, in very hot periods which we have seen this summer.
The Spring run was poor again this year and we were pinning our hopes on another good summer run like last year.
As July approached, the summer run started and we began to catch in much better numbers, which was encouraging.
Normally, the bigger multi sea winter fish appear first and then the grilse arrive a few weeks later. At the end of June and in the first week in July some good salmon, up to 20 pounds, were caught and lost but we quickly saw grilse arrive in good numbers.
I personally lost a really good fish at Benchil on the fly that I played for 30 minutes before it parted! I have been very busy through July and August with full
parties, and catches have been encouraging although not in the numbers of last year.
We finished with 32 in July, and August started well. Some good fish have been landed, up to 18 pounds, but it has been dominated by lovely plump grilse from 4 to 6 pounds and, after all, a grilse is a salmon as well! Better to land a grilse than nothing at all!
We have had 3 anglers that have caught their first salmon, which is tremendous.
Simon Bell had a few days with me having never caught a salmon and having no experience.
On his first day, he successfully caught 2 salmon to 11 pounds and lost a couple of others on a spinner, then caught his third the following day!
He must have wondered what all the fuss was about!
In the following week, Andy King caught his first salmon, fly fishing from the boat in the Long Shot at Benchil, weighing 12 pounds.
He was very excited and could not believe his achievement which was amazing to witness. I get more pleasure being able to make that happen than catching myself.
SHOOTING SCOTLAND
I do love teaching people and imparting my experience to give back something for all the pleasure I have had over the years on the river.
Lastly, Steve Beswick caught 2 up to 11 pounds with me at Luncarty, spinning from the boat, completing a hat-trick of firsts.
He really appreciated his success because on his first day all he could get was tangles in his line! The host of the party, Steve Peck and myself took 1 ½ hours to undo a bird’s nest in a braid he managed to cause!
We christened him “Steve the Knot”! There was another first for Charlie Chamberlain, landing his first ever Tay salmon after around 30 years trying on various beats. He smashed that one, landing 3 fish on the fly during a 3 day visit. July and early August have been very busy with reasonable catches which has been heartening with lots of stories to tell and all wanting to return next year. I have been extremely busy having 4
beats to run myself but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hopefully it will continue for the remainder of the season although we are witnessing another heat wave with temperatures up to 28C currently, which is impacting catches.
In June, I met Helen Benson from the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust when they were doing their Scottish River Tour. They help Gamekeepers, Ghillies and Stalkers in various ways and are there for advice on many spectrums. I would encourage anyone in our field to contact them for anything that you are unsure about as they would love to help in any way they could.
I went to thank them at Scone Game Fair and became a guinea pig!
I had my pulse and blood pressure taken to find out I had very high blood pressure! Anyway, they advised I visit my doctor to get it checked out. It was still high, but after blood tests and an ECG all is
good, however I am on a morning pill to keep it down.
I would never have known this problem if it had not been for Helen’s organisation and it could have led to something far more serious.
Lastly, further news on my Shochie burn temperature work. I did a further walk on the upper parts of the burn in heat wave conditions, getting more extreme temperatures as high as 75F/24C which are danger levels for Juveniles. I witnessed lots swimming around the pools looking for deeper, cooler places. Not too long ago around 1000 salmon ran this catchment system so it is extremely important to protect them for the future.
Our Trust has put in applications to scope this part of the burn for tree planting to cool the burn down and also a scoping project for further areas of the catchment. Let us hope this is successful as we have to urgently mitigate against climate change with more regular heat waves becoming the norm.
The challenge of training a gundog
By Stuart Dunn Chairperson Caledonian Retriever Club
So, what does it take to train your own gundog? Everyone involved in shooting, trialling or working tests, picking up or beating, wants a well-trained biddable gundog companion, but how do you get there!
Buy a trained dog, nowadays there seems to be a multitude of gundog trainers who offer a fair selection of “readymade” dogs fully trained and normally for a sizable fee, and a little bit effort on your part can get yourself a dog that will bring you endless days of enjoyment, and lifelong memories, possibly.
Not everyone has the time, ability, or even the desire to train their own dog, therefore putting your hand in your pocket, and buying a fully trained gundog, or a competition dog could be seen as the best option.
Personally, there is a great sense of satisfaction, and enjoyment training your own dog, to what ever level meets your requirements.
The main problem new owners trying to train a dog come up against can be numerous, namely how to start training, what method of training suits you, and the dog best, time, many owners and handlers underestimate the huge amount of time it takes to train your
chosen breed of dog to a high standard, and in many cases it can become all consuming.
So, where, or how do you get started, you’ve decided what type of gundog you want to own, you’ve bought the pup, so what do you do now?
Should you decide to have a go at training the dog yourself, start off simply getting to know your dog, and let it get to know you. Simple socialising and getting the dog to trust you can be key to what unfolds within the coming months and years. Try to introduce your dog to simple things, retrieving its favourite toy, ball or rolled up sock, or anything else it likes to run around with, and see if it will pick it up once throw it or roll it about, and if it’ll come back to you with it. These early play situations if done in a easy going manner, can prove hugely beneficial on the long road ahead, and having trust in each other will pay dividends later in training. Many years ago I was lucky enough to helped out training my own dogs, by a great gundog trainer, who over the years nurtured many a Fifes gundog trainers, he had a couple of training nights sayings especially when your dog was working away trying to pickup scent, or working in cover, and nervously you’re not sure whether leave it alone, and see what happens, or jump in, and start blowing the whistle like a piper at the Military Tattoo. He would simply, and sometimes harshly yelp out, “trust your dog”. It’s a saying that stuck with me for decades, and on more than one occasion when the pressure is on, I’ve often said to myself “trust your dog”.
So, during the early weeks and months of your pup’s life, try and get a bond of trust between you both, and build upon this as you go forward.
Training your first dog can be a bit daunting, on your own, so you may wish to join some of the Scottish Gundog Clubs, some of which offer training classes, with like minded people, and opportunities to join in with experienced handlers who can help with advice or other opportunities.
The Caledonian Retriever Club was primarily started 13 years ago to encourage new people into the sport, and give opportunities, for handlers of all ages, and abilities the chance to learn and improve.
The sport generally didn’t have the best reputation across the board, at welcoming new participants into competitive side of clubs, but generally its gradually changing, so look up your local club and see what help they may be able to offer.
Other avenues you may think suits you better, is to go for oneto-one training with a reputable trainer and although cost will be a consideration, there are numerous excellent trainers who will be only too happy to help you train your dog. But be careful because nearly every street corner has a “gundog” trainer on it nowadays, many of whom are not shy at charging
ridiculous fees for what is at best mediocre advice, so, choose carefully.
I would suggest for handlers who wish to train their dog for competitions, seek advice from a trainer with a proven record of “winning competitions”. Too many “street corner” trainers have never won themselves with a dog, so training you to know how to win, probably won’t happen! So ask around, join a few clubs, go to a few working tests, get involved, and you’ll soon find out what standard is required, and who
is best placed to help you out in which every way suits you, your budget, and most importantly your dog.
Training methods have changed dramatically over the years, and getting your dog to trust you is a key requirement for the months of training that lay ahead.
Which ever method of training you embark upon, either individually, or one-to-one, or group sessions, try to make it fun, interesting and enjoyable.
Too many people I’ve seen over the years make sessions
too difficult, too aggressive, and negative, there’s very few corners you can cut when training your dog, encouragement, repetition, and many many hours of time and imaginative thinking goes into successful training sessions, problem solving, and success. Therefore, whichever way you decide to train your dog it will tale lots of time, it will be exhilarating at times, it will also be exasperating at times too, but when it all works it will bring you memories that will last a lifetime too!!
Good luck!
The Country Store
Caesar Guerini Invictus
ArtCo Specialist 12ga 34 inch(657) PSA East
New Caesar Guerini Invictus ArtCo Specialist 12ga. Features new titanium extended choke 34 inch barrels with flat sporting rib. Engraved receiver featuring ArtCo pattern with black accents and fixed selectable trigger. Highly figured right hand Sporting stock with adjustable comb and Round Sporting forend. Comes in factory case.
Price on request https://pacificsportingarms.com
Bird Puller 5kg Tub
Available from Collins Nets, Bird Puller is a unique blend of natural spices which you add directly into your feed.
No need to add any liquids as Bird Pullers own blend of natural oils that allows it to stick to your feed without clogging up your feeders or turning the feed mouldy.
1 x 5kg tub will treat up to 2.5 tonnes – up to 1 scoop per 25kg sack of feed
You know that moment when you’re tucked into the hedge line, perfectly still, waiting for a deer’s ear to flick or a fox to break cover? That’s when the right clothing isn’t just about comfort – it’s about staying hidden and staying ready. The Stoney Creek Microplus Hoodie is one of those rare bits of kit that just works in the field: light, warm, quiet, and cut to move with you.
Lightweight Warmth You Can Rely On
Made from hydrophobic micro-yarn fleece, the Microplus traps heat without weighing you down. It’s warm enough to take the edge off a frosty morning but thin enough to work as a mid-layer under a smock or jacket. Breathable and fast-drying, it’s the kind of hoodie you can wear from dawn sessions through to last light.
Hunting-Friendly Features
The fit is snug without being restrictive, so it won’t snag or flap when you move. The close-fitting hood keeps the wind off without blocking your view, and thumb loops stop the sleeves riding up when you’re climbing fences or shouldering your rifle. A zipped chest pocket gives you a safe spot for calls, gloves, or even a small thermal monocular.
Two Camouflage Options
TCF (Tuatura Camo Forest) – Best suited for woodland, forestry blocks, and mixed farmland. Its darker greens and shadowed tones break up your outline in leafy cover. Perfect for roe stalking, pigeon shooting in the woods, or fox control around copses.
TCA (Tuatura Camo Alpine) – Lighter and more open in pattern, with more earth tones and muted greys. This makes it ideal for open moorland, rocky ground, or reed beds. It blends beautifully in coastal environments too, so if you’re wildfowling on the foreshore or working near estuaries, TCA will help you disappear into the background.
Built Tough for Real-World Hunting
This isn’t a hoodie that’ll stay “nice” for long—it’s built to be worn, worked, and washed again and again. Whether you’re crawling into position through bracken, sitting for hours in damp grass, or moving between hides in a biting wind, the Microplus keeps its shape and performance.
Available from Wild & Moor in sizes Small to 4XL. Stoney Creek Microplus Camo Hoodie - £59.95 www.wildandmoor.co.uk Tel: 01535 611688
Passenger Carrying Trailers
The Country Store HIKMICRO Alpex 4K Lite LRF – Small Package, Epic Performance!
If you spend any time out in the countryside with an air rifle or rimfire slung over your shoulder, you’ll know how much kit weight can matter. A few hours trudging across fields for rabbits or clambering through farm buildings after rats, and you soon appreciate anything that shaves off a few ounces. That’s why the new HIKMICRO Alpex 4K Lite LRF is Night Master’s best seller this month – it’s a proper day/night digital scope with some clever tricks up its sleeve, but in a lighter, handier package than you’d expect.
Access Trailers specialize in designing and selling passenger carrying trailers. A large number of which are used for farm /estate tours. We offer a range of models from lightweight ATV Off Road models to large heavy duty tractor drawn units.
All our trailers are fabricated and assembled by Graham Edwards Trailers and are built on proven chassis. Ease of access for young and old is a key feature of our designs along with an option pack to carry wheelchair users on selected models. Depending on use customers can choose from a number of different seat layouts.
The chassis and steelwork are fully galvanized and trailers come with fixed alloy roofs, powder coated green alloy sides along with see through roll up side curtains which are standard on our lightweight ATV and medium range GP models.
Access Buggy Off Road models can be towed by an ATV. Fitted with low pressure tyres they are designed for softer ground and are good for accessing remote or sensitive areas of countryside.
GP models are built on tandem axles with an overrun braking system. They are incredibly versatile and a number of models have removable tops. The trailer base can then be used as a general trailer when the passenger carrying top is lifted off (forklift required).
To carry larger numbers of people we produce a heavier range of Access Trailers built on a 3,500kg chassis or heavy duty tractor drawn TDM models units plated at 8 tons fitted with hydraulic brakes. These units are offer improved ground clearance for operating across more difficult terrain.
For more information visit our website www.accesstrailers.co.uk or email sales@accesstrailers.co.uk You can also contact Ian Longden at Access Trailers of 07854085880
Let’s start with the obvious: the picture quality. The Alpex 4K Lite is built around a 4K UHD sensor and a 40mm lens, which basically means everything looks pin-sharp whether you’re in bright sunlight or complete darkness. During the day you get a crisp, full-colour image that makes spotting rabbits against patchy grass a breeze. When the light fades, it switches into black-and-white night mode. Add a Night Master NM1 CL infrared illuminator to it and you’ll have crisp, clear, detailed views of your quarry.
What makes the “Lite” so appealing is the size. It’s roughly 60% lighter and noticeably shorter than the original Alpex models, and it mounts up on a standard 30 mm tube – so it’s easy to balance on an air rifle or lightweight rimfire. You’ll really notice the difference if you’re shooting on the move or from awkward positions in barns, hides, or hedgerows.
Then there’s the LRF bit – Laser Range Finder. Built into the side of the scope, it pings distances out to 1000m (though for air rifles, we’re talking much shorter) and ties into an on-board ballistic calculator. In plain English, that means it can work out your hold-over on the fly, so if a rabbit pops up at 37m instead of your zeroed 30m, you’ve got the right aim point instantly.
You also get a choice of imaging modes – Day, Night, Auto, plus Green and Yellow if you prefer a softer view for certain conditions. Startup is quick, so you’re ready to go almost instantly, and the high refresh rate keeps moving targets smooth and easy to track.
Available from Night Master: Alpex 4K Lite LRF – £649.95
NM1 CL IR Kit - £129.95
www.nightmaster.co.uk
Tel: 01535 610066
The Country Store Venison Processing Units
A Venison Processing Unit from Fisher Game Larders offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for upgrading or establishing a modern, high-throughput facility.
Our expert team provides a comprehensive concept-to-installation service, covering all aspects of both internal and external design. Each unit is carefully tailored to ensure a practical layout that suits your operational needs whilst meeting relevant industry regulations, compliance standards and best practices.
Bespoke Venison Handling Facilities
Our custom-designed units allow you to create a fully functional, multi-purpose Venison Processing Facility tailored to your specific requirements. Features can include:
• Intake & Preparation Room
• Carcass Chiller
• Processing & Packing Area
• Hygienic, Food-Safe Internal Walls
• Aluminium Meat Rail System
• Electric Hoists & Integrated Scales
• Hot/Cold Wash Down Systems
• Integrated Drainage Solutions
Each facility is designed with efficiency, hygiene and regulatory compliance in mind, ensuring a streamlined workflow from intake to dispatch.
Rapid Installation & Ready-to-Use
Once delivered, your Venison Processing Unit can be up and running quickly, with fully commissioned electrics and plumbing included as standard.
We can also supply any additional equipment required to suit your specific operational needs, ensuring a seamless transition to full functionality.
Link to website is: Game Larders - Fisher Group
Irish Setter Elk Tracker
10 inch Boots 3982
Made from US Trout Brook leather with a Ultradry waterproof lining and TempSens Swiss temperature control technology they are guaranteed to keep your feet snug & dry. Comfort & unparalleled grip are assured with CuShin Comfort tongue technology, enerG rebound material & their Cork EVA/memory foam footbed, premium welt construction & Bulls-Eye Air Bob aggressive dual density sole, up to size 13. This is your chance to own a pair of Irish Setters latest High Tech boots.
RRP: £319.90
Call 01460 221720 or visit www.footwearcountry.co.uk
