Venison larder may be on the menu for Loch Lomond 

Managers of one of Scotland’s national parks are looking at setting up a community deer larder in an effort to encourage farmers and small estate owners in the area to keep deer numbers down. 

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority has begun a consultation as part of a wider project to establish venison-processing facilities in the east of the park. 

The scheme aims to explore the feasibility, level of interest and potential benefits of enhancing larder and chiller facilities for local farmers and smaller estates. It is hoped that these would improve deer management efforts, reduce crop damage and create better access to venison markets — potentially opening up new revenue streams for locals. 

Victor Clements, lead consultant for the project, said: “The park authority recognises the challenges that farmers and managers face in managing the deer population, and we believe this pilot project offers a sustainable, practical solution. By providing a shared facility, we can help alleviate the logistical and financial constraints associated with deer management, benefiting both the environment and the local economy.”