Revive report finds against Scotland’s grouse moors

Bruce Russell, Director (Scotland) of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) commented to Shooting UK: “GWCT’s Moorland Balance report presents the reality of our working moorlands. The landscape and wildlife are extraordinarily rare, yet heather dominated moors are a Scottish and global asset for tourism and conservation. Sheep, deer and hares also thrive on these hills because they are a managed habitat. The Scottish Government recognises that grouse shooting investment is the only substantial income for maintaining these benefits that does not rely on public subsidy and there is no good evidence that a different look or feel for this wonderful habitat is environmentally, socially, economically or culturally better.”

On 20 November 2019 the Review Group on Grouse Moor management submitted its report to the Scottish Government who commissioned it from the expert working group led by Professor Alan Werrity. The group includes Dr Adam Smith, Director (Scotland) for the GWCT. The findings have not yet been announced to the general public.