24th September 2015
COMMUNITIES in rural Scotland have voiced strong support for grouse shooting, saying it makes a major social and economic contribution to local people’s lives.
Their backing is highlighted in a new report published by Scotland’s Rural College and the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for Mountain Studies at Perth College.
Researchers focused on two areas – the Angus Glens and the Monadhliath mountains north of the Spey, with 26 moorland estates covering 240,000 acres, 266 households and 18 businesses, being surveyed.
Around 70 per cent of people in the Angus Glens and 53 per cent in the Monadhliath recognised community and personal benefits of grouse shooting in their area.
Dr Ros Bryce from the centre said: “The research broadly demonstrated a high level of support for grouse shooting with a majority in both areas supportive of the continuation or expansion of grouse shooting.
“While awareness of estate management within local communities was generally good, a proportion of the community lacked awareness.
“Our report identified specific opportunities for enhancing estate-community engagement and awareness-raising, including estates engaging with local primary and secondary schools through school visits by gamekeepers and school visits to estates.”
