Grouse 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…

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Atlantic 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…

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Groups 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…

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Campaigners 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,…

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Scottish 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…

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Grouse 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…

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Maryculter 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…

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Tweed 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…

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Enter 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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A celebration of field sports with fishing and shooting

Scotland has long had a love affair with sport. More famous as the birthplace of golf and for the popularity of sports like football and rugby, this passionate collection of essays brings to life our nation’s relationship with different kinds of sport – fishing and shooting. Lord James Percy grew up in the untamed landscapes…

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