Scotland venison fund reopens to help low ground deer stalkers

Deer stalkers across low ground Scotland can again apply for grant funding to upgrade their larder and chilling facilities, after a third round of the Low Ground Venison Supply Chain Project opened with £150,000 on the table. The scheme, run by NatureScot and SAOS, offers up to 50 per cent towards the cost of new carcass handling and cold storage equipment, with the aim of getting more locally shot venison into the food chain.

What does the venison fund offer stalkers?

The fund covers up to half the cost of buying equipment to upgrade larder, chilling and carcass handling facilities, from chillers through to processing kit. It is open to individual stalkers and to deer management groups working across Scotland’s low ground, where roe deer in particular are culled away from the open hill.

The £150,000 pot was launched at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston and is a partnership between NatureScot and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS), working with Lowland Deer Network Scotland and Scottish Venison. Applications opened on 18 June and close on 18 August.

Why does low ground venison need support?

Getting venison from low ground deer into the supply chain has long been harder than on the hill, where established larders and game dealers handle large numbers of red deer. On lower ground, stalkers shooting roe and other deer often lack the chilling and processing capacity to move carcasses on quickly and legally, which can blunt the incentive to cull.

The project sets out to close that gap, lifting the capacity of the venison supply so that more deer can be taken and more meat reaches local markets. John Bruce, chair of Lowland Deer Network Scotland, said the scheme grew out of the group’s own work.

“This project was informed by a survey that LDNS carried out asking deer managers about their venison handling capacity, particularly their chilling requirements,” he said. “Whether opening commercial processing facilities or simply improving their own facilities, we are already seeing an increase in carcasses entering the public food chain as a result of this funding. I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about expanding or upgrading their operation to take up this opportunity.”

What do the partners say?

Pete Moore, from NatureScot’s wildlife management team, said the funding had already proved its worth. “This is great opportunity for both professional and recreational low ground stalkers to improve their larder and processing facilities,” he said. “Feedback from previous rounds of funding has been really positive, with many participants reporting it has allowed them to increase their cull and produce more quality venison locally.”

Richard Cooke, chairman of Scottish Venison, said the round fitted the national venison strategy. “It is absolutely in line with the Scottish Venison strategy to develop capacity for safe and legal collection, chilling, and processing of venison locally across Scotland’s low ground, with a view to increasing the harvest of venison from our roe deer population and getting that to market as a priority,” he said.

The first two rounds of the project paid out grants worth £119,000 and £95,000 respectively, with early support going mainly towards new chillers and larder improvements.

How to apply for the venison fund

Applications are open from 18 June until 18 August 2026. SAOS staff are on hand to help applicants through the process, and initial enquiries should be directed to venison@saos.coop. Full details of the Low Ground Venison Supply Chain Project, including guidance for applicants, are on the SAOS website.