Glen feshie
- Thread starter stoker150
- Start date
HonestJohn
Well-Known Member
As above, one is still on the lose
Well that says it all really I feel sorry for the neighbors like gaik and glen tromie. But the again they are owned by the same person
There are still deer there. I saw a couple very large stags there in October last year.
Clearly not in large numbers, but they are there. Bear in mind that almost all the neighbouring estates have been doing more or less the same.
However, if you’re looking to stir up a bit of angst about heavy culling, you should probably have a look at what FLS get up to…
Clearly not in large numbers, but they are there. Bear in mind that almost all the neighbouring estates have been doing more or less the same.
However, if you’re looking to stir up a bit of angst about heavy culling, you should probably have a look at what FLS get up to…
There must be a few of the old land owners who will be spinning in their graves when they see the state of some estates these days. Deer fencing everywhere and "rewilding" (sic) going on by the new land purchasers, never mind the carbon capture twaddle to tempt the investment groups for a bit of light greenwashing.....
Charles S-J
Well-Known Member
Was privileged to stalk there in back in the 1980s. What a place, and what a stalker Ackie was - and I still have the spikes from the little roe buck he wouldn't believe I had hit!. So much sad change since.
Should have taken a look round the Kingshouse Hotel...
Fair few of those cleared from those lands would have felt the same way. They might still be at the bottom of the Atlantic or hopefully them and their decendants were able to prosper on different shores...
I just did a trip round the highlands on my motorcycle, visited one of the clearance villages on the cliff edge, Jesus Christ what a place!!!, apparently they tied the livestock AND children to posts to stop them getting blown over the edge!!
Wouldn't happen to be Sutherland would it?
Someone needs to make a map showing which estates came about as a direct result of clearances.
The percentage would be very high!
The SNH/NatureScot owned island, the Isle of Rùm, is such an example.
I suspect many owners would not be quite so proud of their estates if they were aware of the misery which was caused by the founding of such 'deer forests'.
Highland Clearances
an animated gif showing the population changec in the Scottish Higlands from 1831 - 1911
geogenealogy.ca
In fact, there has been little to no effort made to acknowledge such history within many estate circles, somewhat unsurprising...
Don't expect the SGA to bring up the Highland Clearances anytime soon...
If you think current deer culling efforts are barbarous, look what the landowners of their time did to their fellow man!
The booklet below was authored by what would later evolve into the SNP.
Many interesting points are made.
I happen to think Glen Feshie is very attractive now. Much nicer to wander around in than some of the more barren nearby estates managed in more traditional ways. Much more diverse bird life, fantastic mushroom foraging, spectacular wild flowers.
Also feels a lot more ‘natural’, with the birch woods climbing up the valley sides. You can squint and convince yourself you might be in Scandinavia.
Of course the traditionalists don’t like it - it doesn’t look like their image of what a Highland estate should look like. Though I think we can all agree it looks a lot better than most block Sitka plantations…
Also feels a lot more ‘natural’, with the birch woods climbing up the valley sides. You can squint and convince yourself you might be in Scandinavia.
Of course the traditionalists don’t like it - it doesn’t look like their image of what a Highland estate should look like. Though I think we can all agree it looks a lot better than most block Sitka plantations…
sikamalc
Administrator
Yes I agree. It's becoming a real issue where ever one goes in the Highlands.
If it carries on like this there will be little left in 20 years or less time.
Little of what left, though?
Almost none of the Highlands is in any kind on ‘natural’ state. It’s all extremely modified, human maintained environments of one sort or another. The traditional heather clad moorland is, as you well know, the product of intensive management. At the moment it’s still the dominant image of what the Highlands ‘should’ look like. But that’s a completely arbitrary choice, dictated by fashion. Fashions are now changing, and so is the landscape.
Personally, I prefer native woodland to either open moor or commercial forestry. But I grew up elsewhere, and find the open moors very bleak and depressing.
Nobody likes change which has a negative impact on their interests or way of life but it is happening in a big way yet again in the highlands especially regarding land use and ownership and peoples perception of what it should look like and wildlife it supports but all pretty much driven by money as usual.
Plenty bemoaned the loss of grouse wintering ground on highland estates after the war as planted with trees and Richard waddingtons book on grouse management based on his tenancy of Glenlivet, lecht, and strathavon documents many such changes including the planting of the gorden flats with trees.
Richard waddington a little ahead of his time in general as saw the potential of selling grouse shooting to the American market and made a business out of it and well documented.
Deer in general were there to provide sport along with grouse and salmon for recreational purposes of those that could afford and still are carrying a capital value but the market has changed yet again along with the times and the future and ownership of such places with it but all still driven by money ultimately with industries based round them.
Game over methinks and a new one begins
edit. Waddingtons book first published 1958 gives a timeline to some events and policies including the “ paton plan”.
Plenty bemoaned the loss of grouse wintering ground on highland estates after the war as planted with trees and Richard waddingtons book on grouse management based on his tenancy of Glenlivet, lecht, and strathavon documents many such changes including the planting of the gorden flats with trees.
Richard waddington a little ahead of his time in general as saw the potential of selling grouse shooting to the American market and made a business out of it and well documented.
Deer in general were there to provide sport along with grouse and salmon for recreational purposes of those that could afford and still are carrying a capital value but the market has changed yet again along with the times and the future and ownership of such places with it but all still driven by money ultimately with industries based round them.
Game over methinks and a new one begins
edit. Waddingtons book first published 1958 gives a timeline to some events and policies including the “ paton plan”.
Last edited:
A report submitted to the crown estate commissioners in 1965 by Richard waddington tenant of sporting rights and lodges on the crown estates, glenlivet, lecht, and strathavon 1947-1972 had quite a bit to say on tree planting and the “paton plan” of doing so as opposed to large areas been planted thus totally losing some habitat which was the trend of the times and gives a bit of historical interest into habitat change then. Apologies, nothing to do with the magnificent glen fleshie and the changes brought about by greatly reducing grazing pressure allowing regeneration and change of flora and fauna at the cost of other species which once were the focus of ownership.
Look on bright side no wind farms yet
Look on bright side no wind farms yet
Last edited:
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
There will be change, not al of it will be good, not all bad.
With more trees deer will have better habitat, they’re woodland animals that have adapted to live on the bare hills, I’d be willing to bet they didn’t do it by choice.
It’ll be interesting to watch body weight and antler growth trends over the next 20-40 years.
I’d think that both will improve dramatically in response to the more suitable environment.
Similar threads
