Field Sports
Grouse season gives £350m boost
THE grouse season ends today, following its five-month boost to Scotland’s rural economy. Grouse shooting generates more than £350 million a year and supports the equivalent of 11,000 jobs, according to “The Gift of Grouse” campaign. Ross Ewing, moorland director at membership body Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Grouse shooting is the bedrock of the…
Read MoreGrouse shoot licences ‘must not threaten jobs and conservation’
A GROUP of rural organisation has called on the Scottish Government not to jeopardise jobs and conservation work with its licensing scheme for grouse shooting. The Scottish Government yesterday launched a public consultation on its Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill. In response, a joint statement was issued by the British Association for Shooting & Conservation, Scotland’s…
Read MoreAtlantic Salmon Trust auction is open
THE Atlantic Salmon Trust has launched its annual auction to raise money for research. More than 100 lots are up for grabs, including fishing, shooting, and stalking experiences at some of Scotland’s most exclusive locations. Works of art, clothing, and food and drink are also going under the online hammer. Wild salmon stocks have plunged…
Read MoreGroups warn over ‘Hunting With Dogs’ Bill
COUNTRYSIDE groups have warned Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) about “unintended consequences” from the Hunting With Dogs (Scotland) Bill that’s making its way through Holyrood. Representative from the British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC), the Kennel Club, and Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups (SRMGs) met with MSPs to warn them that the bill poses…
Read MoreCampaigners warn of turbine threat to salmon river
SALMON and pearl mussels in the Lower Oykel river in the Highlands could be threatened if a proposed wind farm receives approval, according to campaigners. Steven Mackenzie, manager of Lower Oykel Fishings, has written to Scottish rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon to outline his concerns. “The construction process – traffic, the building of new roads,…
Read MoreScottish fish skins turned into ‘leather’ wallets
FISH skins from Dunkeld Smokehouse are being turned into wallets to raise money for wild salmon conservation. Antonia Gillett, 28, has opened Felsie, which is the UK’s first dedicated fish skin “tannery”. Gillett is turning the left-over fish skins with the scales removed into a “leather”, from which she then makes wallets and cardholders. She…
Read MoreGrouse shooting season begins today
RURAL businesses are predicting that overseas visitors will return to Scotland as the grouse shooting season gets underway. Ross Ewing, moorland director at trade body Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Thanks to the arrival of the grouse shooting season, Scotland’s rural economy is back in business after a challenging few years of covid-19. “The significance…
Read MoreMaryculter House donates £9,000 to River Dee Trust
THE River Dee Trust has received a £9,000 donation from Maryculter House. The hotel has added a discretionary £1 charge to each of its customers’ bills to help raise the cash. The money will be split between the trust’s “OneMillionTrees” project – which has been running for two and a half years and has planted…
Read MoreTweed Foundation launches auction
THE Tweed Foundation has opened its online auction, with prizes including salmon fishing, luxury hampers, and works of art, and a rally driving lesson. Almost 50 lots have been donated for the auction, which runs until 5pm on 10 June. The charity, which is based in Drygrange, protects and improves fish stocks in the River…
Read MoreEnter the Great Salmon Fly Tie-Off competition
Leading field sports equipment suppliers Farlows are hosting the Great Salmon Fly Tie-Off competition. As many notable members of the Royal Family were or are fly fishers (The Queen Mother, Prince Charles and even Her Majesty The Queen), Farlows have are celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by launching a competition on their social media channels…
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