Scots farmer charged over letting sheep and cattle 'run loose' on A9 road in the Highlands

A farmer has been charged in connection with failing to keep sheep and cattle from wandering on to the A9 in the Highlands.

Police said locals have made numerous complaints about the "continual presence" of the animals on a section of the main road at Cambusavie, north of Dornoch in Sutherland.

A 71-year-old man has now been charged in connection with failing to manage the livestock and will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Officers attended the farm on Tuesday along with Bear Scotland, the Animal and Health Plant Agency and the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division.

Sheep were joined by other agencies on the A9, just north of Dornoch in Sutherland.Sheep were joined by other agencies on the A9, just north of Dornoch in Sutherland.
Sheep were joined by other agencies on the A9, just north of Dornoch in Sutherland.

PC Martin Macrae, of the Road Policing Unit in Dingwall, said: "Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe on the country's roads.

"Members of the public have raised concerns regarding the continual presence of sheep and cattle on this section of the A9 truck road at Cambusavie, north of Dornoch.

"The presence of livestock running loose on a main route presents a real road safety risk to drivers and our more vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, where the consequences could be devastating.

"Previous efforts to resolve this matter have failed to prevent the situation from continuing and we have worked closely with our partner agencies and the farmer will now be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal."

Vivienne Mackinnon, Animal and Plant Health Agency Veterinary Lead North Scotland, said: “Anyone who keeps livestock has a duty to protect the welfare of the animals in their care, including from potential injuries caused by road traffic accidents.

"In this case, not only were the animals at risk but also the public. We urge farmers, landowners and livestock keepers to ensure that their animals are kept safely away from busy roads.”

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative, said: “Trunk road safety is of paramount importance and we’re supporting Police Scotland and other key stakeholders to help address the issue of livestock reaching the A9 near Cambusavie Bends. "