Entire 1,500-acre Scottish island to see 'robust' deer management in rewilding plan

A Scottish island is to see robust deer management under new plans to rewild the 1,500 islet.



The island of Ronay, located off the south-east coast of North Uist in the southern part of the Outer Hebrides, is home to the remains of ancient settlements and saw communities living off seaweed harvesting in times gone by.

It was bought in 2023 by Edinburgh-based brand company Carlowrie Group, which has plans to “increase biodiversity and revitalise the natural environment” of the island.

The team behind the rewilding initiative claim Ronay has limited seed sources, has been overgrazed by herbivores and shows minimal signs of “natural regeneration” - the growth of vegetation without human interference.

A “robust” deer management plan is part of the plans, the company said, to “aid in the restoration of natural habitats.” Some conservationists believe deer, which are sometimes spotted swimming between Ronay and other nearby islands, hinder rewilding projects because they eat young trees among other types of vegetation.

In the future, the company plans to make a range of Ronay Island products, including seaweed and venison.


maximus otter

Not sure why this is a thing but i am sure there will set of carbon from other,s or massive grants and a few jolly,s by Nature scot at our expense.

It's wonderful to see environmentalism in action. Producing food nobody wants to sell to a local population of zero. Presumably the rewilding is intended to offset the carbon emissions of the owner's plans to get rid of the deer, produce the food, transport it to distant markets and so on.

Apthorpe said:

It's wonderful to see environmentalism in action. Producing food nobody wants to sell to a local population of zero. Presumably the rewilding is intended to offset the carbon emissions of the owner's plans to get rid of the deer, produce the food, transport it to distant markets and so on.

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The minute I see the words Corporate and Rewilding in the same sentence other the words like government grants and carbon offsets will be along shortly

A bit late to the post, but...rewild to what exactly? Without knowing how Ronay may once have been it would be difficult to return the island to its pre-human and agricultural condition. Plenty of bracken, so possible lots of checkered skipper butterflies.
There will be other rewilding (read carbon offset = ££) projects proposed for the Hebrides, but will they really restore biodiversity to a former state, or be creating something alien. Detailed ecology and habitat impact assessments should be carried out for realistic landscape and biodiversity restoration, and understanding the role of deer in the landscape may be key.

Venison365 said:

A bit late to the post, but...rewild to what exactly?

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I'm sure wind turbines will feature in it somewhere

Greenmist said:

I'm sure wind turbines will feature in it somewhere

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Not in the current round of onshore and offshore wind developments, by the looks of it. Deer and wind turbines can co-exist.

Venison365 said:

Not in the current round of onshore and offshore wind developments, by the looks of it. Deer and wind turbines can co-exist.

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Perhaps, but its amazing how subsidies can change priorities

Hello, What will they make from Seaweed ??

Flash G 74 said:

Hello, What will they make from Seaweed ??

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Seaweed is a versatile, nutrient-dense marine algae used globally for food, sustainable agriculture, and industrial applications. Key uses include nutrient-rich human food, organic fertilizers/soil conditioners, livestock feed additives to reduce methane, plastic alternatives (bioplastics), skincare, and biofuel production, while also offering carbon capture benefits.


Here is a detailed breakdown of seaweed uses:

• Food and Nutrition:Known as a "superfood," it is consumed for high iodine, iron, potassium, and vitamin content. Varieties like nori, kelp, wakame, and kombu are used in sushi, salads, soups, and as snacks.
  • Agriculture and Gardening: Used as a rich soil conditioner, mulch, or liquid fertilizer, providing plants with nutrients like potassium and magnesium. It is also used as a sustainable livestock feed supplement that can reduce methane emissions from cattle.
  • Industry and Packaging: Seaweed produces gels like alginate, agar, and carrageenan used as thickeners in processed foods and pharmaceuticals. It is increasingly used to create biodegradable, edible, and eco-friendly food packaging to replace plastic.
  • Cosmetics and Skincare: Due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it is used in facial treatments, exfoliants, and creams to hydrate, repair, and brighten skin.
  • Environmental Benefits: Used in marine restoration to reduce ocean acidification and to remove heavy metals from wastewater.
  • Medicine: Traditionally used to treat health conditions and researched for its ability to fight oxidative stress.