Nature tourism

It is very encouraging that the importance of nature-based tourism in Scotland is being recognised in the new SNH report (your report, 18 March), and especially encouraging that shooting, fishing and stalking are seen as integral parts of the appeal of Scotland for visitors.

Recently, this part of the rural economy has been airbrushed out of tourism statistics but it would appear from the figures quoted in the article that angling contributes 113 million per year, and if shooting and stalking, which generate 240m per year, are added, that accounts for more than 85 per cent of the total Scottish nature-based tourism income. That puts whale watching (10.7 million per year) in perspective.

ROSS MONTAGUE

Director, Scottish Countryside Alliance