The Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group has moved to clarify the regulations governing social distancing measures and the operation of country sports. A framework for the operation of country sports – backed by the Scottish Government – was published in July. This allows outdoor fishing, angling, stalking and shooting activities operated by businesses to continue

Gamekeepers are calling on Scottish Government to protect the practice of muirburn and acknowledge its role in preventing wildfires and protecting carbon stores. Millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases have been released into the atmosphere during major recent wildfires in the Flow Country, Galloway and Moray, which burned for days. Out-of-control wildfires scorched miles of

Some of Scotland’s most endangered bird species are thriving on grouse moors, according to a new survey. The survey of endangered nesting birds on an estate in the Grampians has shown an increase in both the number of nesting birds and in the number of different species recorded. Gamekeepers on Invercauld Estate continued their conservation

Rural businesses have heralded the start of the grouse season as a ‘lifeline’ in overcoming the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As parties gathered in the Angus Glens for the first day of the season, local businesses are hoping that visitors for grouse shooting will provide an injection of income to sustain employment after

Rural communities and businesses across Scotland are gearing up for the start of the grouse shooting season, adopting extra safety measures to ensure the season can go ahead on 12th August. The country sports sector has developed a comprehensive framework of COVID-19 guidance approved by the Scottish Government. The start of the season heralds a

Recording bird of prey sightings across Scotland is set to take a major step forward thanks to a new app being developed in conjunction with grouse moors and gamekeepers. The app, which uses the EpiCollect5 platform developed by Imperial College London, is currently being trialled by gamekeepers and landowners. Use of the new technology follows

Scottish Land & Estates said tonight that gamekeepers and land managers were ‘dismayed’ by a vote in the Scottish Parliament that outlaws the control of mountain hares. Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the Scottish Parliament has voted for sweeping changes to regulations covering the control

The following article from Country Life magazine reflects on the cultural heritage of moorland landscapes and the way that moorlands have been depicted in literature beginning with Beowulf in the 8th century, followed by Arthur Conan Doyle and Emily Bronte. The UK holds 75% of the entire world’s resource of open heather moorland and it holds an

Gamekeepers combating one of the most troublesome threats in the countryside have found an ally out of the mouths of babes. Inspecting wader chicks regularly and accurate reporting of findings is proving the best method to monitor tick populations and in turn controlling the spread of Lyme disease to humans and other animals. Golden plover

The risk of wildfires across moorland and grassland in Scotland remains exceptionally high, gamekeepers and estates have said today. The warning comes after a spate of wildfires south of the border, including one on Bamford Moor in Derbyshire’s Peak District on Saturday evening. The fire, which is believed to have been started by a barbecue,