Gamekeepers donate to help Lucas

AS THE result of a chance encounter, gamekeepers from the Southern Uplands Moorland Group (SUMG) have been very pleased to be able to assist in a young lad’s future, writes the group’s Mark Ewart. Lucas Davies, 7, who lives with his family in Penicuick, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD) in late 2014, a…

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What is deer stalking? Everything you need to know

The experts from House of Bruar share a guide to deer stalking to mark the opening of their latest clothing department in the Perthshire store. THE pursuit of deer has been part of our lives since the dawn of time. Deer stalking is one of the fastest growing field sports in the UK, and it’s…

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Holts holds valuation days in Scotland

HOLTS Auctioneers is holding valuation days in Scotland this week ahead of its December sale. Experts will examine guns and accessories, sporting items, and militaria. Bisley at Braidwood at Midlem near Selkirk will host a session tomorrow afternoon. Valuations will take place at Dickson’s of Dunkeld tomorrow afternoon and on Wednesday morning. Campbell’s of Beauly…

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British Game Alliance launches ‘elevenses’ campaign

THE British Game Alliance (BGA) is launching its #BGABites campaign today to encourage estates to serve “game-based elevenses” during their shoots. The BGA, which was set up to promote game meats, believes serving elevenses featuring game will encourage guests to eat game on a wider range of occasions. The alliance will posts recipes and photographs…

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Fight looms against European lead shot rules

A SHOOTING group has pledged to fight against European Union (EU) plans to retrict the use of lead shot over wetlands and peatlands. The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) warned that the EU proposals could get in the way of the UK’s existing five-year voluntary transition to sustainable ammunition if the UK Government…

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Rural businesses hail start of grouse shooting season

TODAY’S opening of the grouse shooting season has been described as a “lifeline” for rural businesses amid the coronavirus lockdown. Shooting supports the equivalent of 11,000 full-time jobs in Scotland, including 2,640 in the grouse sector. Hunting, shooting and fishing contribute £350 million each year to Scotland’s economy. Dee Ward, owner of Rottal Estate at…

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River Tweed fishing museum set to open

A MUSEUM telling the story of rod and line salmon fishing on the River Tweed will open in Kelso on 4 September. Rod and line techniques were developed on the Tweed during the middle of the 18th century and influenced the economic and cultural development of the Eastern Borders. The River Tweed Salmon Fishing Museum…

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Socially-distanced grouse shooting set to begin

ESTATES have been preparing to hold socially-distanced shoots ahead of the grouse season beginning on Wednesday. Protocols have been developed and approved by the Scottish Government. Mark Ewart, coordinator of the Southern Uplands Moorland Group, said: “This year is different to any season we’ve experienced before, but the discussions held over the past few weeks…

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Shooting estates ‘could lead rural economic revival’

SCOTLAND’S shooting estates could spearhead a post-covid economic revival in the countryside after not furloughing staff during the lockdown, according to regional moorland groups. A survey of 32 estates found that only three gamekeepers had been furloughed and that no redundancies had been made. All the estates said they plan to maintain staffing at current…

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Fishing set to return

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has welcomed reports that the Scottish Government is set to ease some restrictions on local area angling when it sets out its framework and timetable for changes to lockdown on Thursday.  

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