Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 6 November 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on piloting a community-only deer management leasing scheme that prioritises residents with appropriate qualifications.
Forestry and Land Scotland is currently developing a community stalking, deer management national agreement which could be applied to pilot sites on Scotland’s National Forests and Land (SNFL). This is consequent to recent discussions between FLS and NatureScot to review the results of the NS community stalking project at Creag Meagaidh
FLS is also in the process of identifying suitable locations for potential pilot sites on SNFL.
The pilot sites will provide suitably qualified and motivated local individuals with opportunity to support FLS in the culling of deer to help protect tree crops, restore nature and to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience across the chosen locations.