Bird of prey case

The reputation of Cardross Estate has been unjustly tarnished by the court proceedings reported (“Agonising death of bird of prey in trap banned for 50 years”, 21 May).

The estate does not have any involvement whatsoever in 
the sporting management of the land in question, which is let on a long-term lease to a third party who has full rights and responsibilities for the management of sporting activity.

The gamekeeper convicted was employed by the third party and has never been employed by the estate.

Having co-operated fully with the authorities during their investigation and having been asked to be a prosecution witness, I am bitterly disappointed that the Crown Office did not see fit to clarify the estate’s position in its public statement following the case.

Cardross Estate is an estate that takes its land management responsibilities very seriously and is a business focused on 
the local community and the 
delivery of sustainable rural 
enterprise.

In particular, we are committed to contributing to the tourism offering of the Loch 
Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

(Sir) Archie Orr Ewing

Cardross Estate

Port of Menteith

Stirling