Climbers hit out as estate gets new licence for wild boar

MOUNTAINEERS have criticised councillors for renewing a wild animal licence on a Highland estate because they believe it breaches access laws.

The Alladale Estate in Sutherland, owned by Paul Lister, had applied for a new licence for 17 wild boar and two European elk which are held in enclosures.

A previous licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act was granted in 2007, but Highland Council's access officer had lodged an objection on the grounds it would be contrary to the Land Reform Act 2003, which established a right to roam.

The council's Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross licensing committee approved the renewal unanimously yesterday.

Chris Ratter, the area environmental health manager, had recommended approval, despite the access concerns.

However, Dave Gibson, the chief officer for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, attacked the decision. He said: "It is regrettable that the council has chosen to ignore the recommendation of its own access officer not to renew the licence on the grounds that access to the area will continue to be restricted.

"The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 clearly provides access-takers with the right to cross areas of wild land, and this right may be compromised by the actions of the Alladale Estate.

"The local authority is the body responsible for ensuring the requirements of the act are upheld. Scotland's politicians and others boast about the finest access legislation in the world, but it seems that when it comes to upholding the law, some of our elected representatives are overly keen to support developments which are contrary to the spirit of the act."

The estate has also announced it intends to apply for a zoo licence to allow it to keep eight European wildcats and three European wolves. It argues the enclosures will cover 575 acres of Alladale's 23,000 acres, so there will be few limitations on access.