Highland community feels benefit of grouse shooting

GROUSE shooting brings significant social and economic benefits to Scottish communities, but some people have concerns about its impact and its "elitist" image, according to a study.

Research centred on Tomintoul in Moray shows nearly 20 per cent of the working population are directly dependent on game shooting. In all, 81 per cent of the community feel benefits from the sport.

But 17 per cent believe there are negative impacts, including public safety and disturbance and that grouse moor management damages wildlife.

The findings come in an interim report by Rob McMorran of the Centre for Mountain Studies at Perth College, part of the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands.

It is published today, on the "Glorious 12th", the start of the grouse season, and is funded by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust.

The survey area covered a population of 600-700 around Tomintoul, which has 322 residents.

Almost 80 per cent said they use the moors for recreation, work or food and 63 per cent feel grouse shooting helps keep young people in the area.

Gamekeeping jobs attract young people to a remote and sparsely populated area. This helps maintain the local school – Tomintoul Primary currently has five gamekeepers' children in the 50-strong school roll.

About half also see grouse shooting as a major employer and an important source of custom for local businesses – the local garage relies on grouse shooting estates for 80 per cent of its business.

Charlie Skene, the garage owner, said: "It enables me to stay here and my son Frazer also works at the garage. Without the grouse, the community would find it impossible to survive."

Many of those surveyed also highlighted environmental benefits associated with grouse moor management, including the reduction in pest species, increased numbers of birds and the maintenance of large areas of valuable habitat.

Among those who said they are against the sport, two were "clearly offended by estate culture generally".

Three others said grouse moor management was damaging to wildlife.

It is estimated more 6,000 people take part in grouse shooting in Scotland each year. The season is worth about 240 million.