{"id":689170,"date":"2026-01-11T15:37:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/689170\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T15:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T15:37:12","slug":"this-highland-estate-took-1-5m-in-taxpayer-cash-but-let-deer-run-riot-across-protected-areas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/689170\/","title":{"rendered":"This Highland estate took \u00a31.5m in taxpayer cash but let deer run riot across protected areas"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Highland estate which Scotland\u2019s wildlife agency says failed to stop rampant deer from harming protected areas has received nearly \u00a31.5m in public subsidies\u2026 including \u00a3139,000 for deer fencing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loch Choire Estate in Sutherland allowed its deer population to reach such levels that in 2023, NatureScot stepped in<\/a> to cull dozens of the animals in order to prevent further impacts to rare peatlands, woodlands and other habitats, with taxpayers footing the bill.<\/p>\n

But the issue persisted and, in April this year, the Scottish Government approved<\/a> an unprecedented compulsory deer control scheme which legally requires the estate to thin its herd.<\/p>\n

In high numbers, deer damage sites by trampling over and eating too much vegetation. At Loch Choire, the animals threaten four protected sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). In November, we revealed<\/a> that nearly 300 protected areas are being harmed or put under pressure by the overpopulation of deer.<\/p>\n

Now, we can disclose that the West Midlands firm which owns Loch Choire estate, More Works Holdings<\/a>, controlled by Shropshire businessman Jonathan Greenall, has received vast sums of public money.<\/p>\n

An MSP said the subsidies were \u201cunacceptable\u201d in light of the dispute, and argued that state handouts must come with \u201cclear conditions\u201d to safeguard the natural environment.<\/p>\n

Data we obtained via freedom of information shows that More Works claimed \u00a31,483,000 in rural subsidies administered by the Scottish Government between 2017 and 2025 \u2013 \u00a3467,000 of which was awarded after NatureScot warned the firm about the threat deer posed to the SSSIs.<\/p>\n

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The vast majority \u2013 nearly \u00a31.3m \u2013 was part of funding set up to support the \u201cdevelopment and viability\u201d of its forests.<\/p>\n

A further \u00a385,000 came from \u2018basic payments\u2019 which provide \u201ca safety net<\/a> for farmers and crofters\u201d, and around \u00a342,000 consisted of \u2018greening\u2019 payments, which aim to incentivise more environmentally friendly farming.<\/p>\n

Separate data, from Scottish Forestry, shows that \u00a3139,000 of the government subsidies awarded in 2021 was earmarked to put up fences designed to contain deer at Loch Choire.<\/p>\n

\u201cScottish Forestry has one approved contract concerning deer fencing with More Works Holdings for Loch Choire woodland creation,\u201d said a spokesperson. \u201cThe fencing was needed to protect native woodland regeneration and planting. On the last inspection in 2023, the fencing infrastructure had all been carried out in accordance to the grant conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

NatureScot said it first warned More Works about the threats deer posed to protected areas in 2022.<\/p>\n

The following year, the Shropshire firm benefitted<\/a> from 100 per cent business rates relief on its deer forest from Highland Council in 2023, saving it \u00a311,200. In the same year, NatureScot spent \u00a317,000 culling some of the estate\u2019s deer herd in order to protect the SSSIs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Deer are damaging hundreds of protected areas across Scotland. Experts can\u2019t agree how to stop them<\/p>\n

Hundreds of protected areas are under pressure from Scotland\u2019s massive deer herd. Most agree deer numbers must be controlled to protect the environment, but are split on what should be done.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Then importance of peatlands<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loch Choire estate is home to globally rare blanket bog peatlands. Some 13 per cent<\/a> of the world’s blanket bog is in the UK, and most of it can be found in Scotland.<\/p>\n

These wetland ecosystems hold<\/a> vast amounts of carbon when healthy, and also form more peat, thereby adding to the carbon they store. In Scotland, peatlands hold most of our stored carbon \u2013 1.6 billion tonnes, or an estimated equivalent of 140 years\u2019 worth of the country\u2019s total annual greenhouse gas emissions \u2013 according to<\/a> NatureScot.<\/p>\n

But if harmed, peatlands can release their stored carbon, contributing to the climate crisis. NatureScot says an estimated 80 per cent of Scottish peatlands are damaged.<\/p>\n

Healthy peatlands also absorb pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen and heavy metal, and have many other environmental and ecological benefits. Much of Scotland\u2019s drinking water filters through from peatland areas, which improve its quality.<\/p>\n

They also provide habitats for other wildlife, maintain steady water flows in salmon rivers and reduce flood risks downstream, NatureScot says.<\/p>\n

Given the importance of peatlands, overgrazing from livestock and deer, and practices that require the drainage of these habitats \u201cmust be avoided\u201d, it warns.<\/p>\n

\"\"Peat bog on summit of Hill of Snowy Slack, Banff. \u00a9\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Gilbert Scott<\/strong><\/b><\/a>\u00a0(cc-by-sa\/2.0<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The four Loch Choire SSSIs include Ben Klibreck<\/a>, which has the special designation due to its peatland, geology, alpine heath, lochs and woodland.<\/p>\n

The Mallart<\/a> SSSI is made up of blanket bog home to otters and birds including wood sandpiper, golden eagle, hen harrier, merlin and red-throated diver.<\/p>\n

Truderscaig<\/a> is a key site for greenshank to breed, while the Skinsdale Peatlands<\/a> also play host to breeding populations of the bird, as well as dunlin and golden plover.<\/p>\n

Deer and Loch Choire<\/strong><\/p>\n

NatureScot last year told<\/a> More Works that Ben Klibreck, Mallart and Truderscaig were \u201cin unfavourable declining condition and exhibiting damage by deer\u201d.<\/p>\n

In November, The Ferret revealed<\/a> that nearly 300 protected areas were being damaged or put under pressure by Scotland\u2019s rampant deer population, including Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, both national parks, and the critically rare<\/a> Caledonian forest.<\/p>\n

Deer control is voluntary, rather than compulsory, but NatureScot has the power to cull deer on behalf of non-compliant landowners \u201cwhen necessary to protect our natural heritage\u201d.<\/p>\n

It did so in 2023, killing 160 deer at Loch Choire. This cost taxpayer-funded NatureScot \u00a325,000, minus \u00a38,000 it recouped in venison sales. NatureScot\u2019s intervention was backed both by deer management groups and environmentalists.<\/p>\n

\"\"A NatureScot employee approaching Loch Choire Estate. \u00a9NatureScot <\/p>\n

A census<\/a> at the estate carried out in the winter of 2022 found there to be 13.9 deer per square kilometre (sq km).<\/p>\n

The Scottish Government accepted a recommendation from the independent Deer Working Group<\/a> that there should be no more than 10 red deer per sq km in large open areas in the Highlands. But it added that appropriate densities can vary depending on the area.<\/p>\n

The John Muir Trust says<\/a> that, \u201cbroadly speaking\u201d, more than five deer per sq km prevent natural woodland regeneration, while exceeding eight per sq km risks damage to peatlands.<\/p>\n

NatureScot wants the Loch Choire deer population to be thinned to 7.5 per sq km by 2028.<\/p>\n

In the shooting season that followed NatureScot\u2019s intervention, the estate upped its culling activity. In a letter<\/a> sent in March 2024 to the estate\u2019s owner, NatureScot welcomed the killing of nearly 200 deer, but said the efforts would not be enough to curtail damage.<\/p>\n

The wildlife agency told More Works it had \u201csought an agreement to deliver sustainable culls\u201d, but claimed the firm had \u201cconsistently not responded\u201d.<\/p>\n

In April, agriculture minister Jim Fairlie MSP approved<\/a> a compulsory deer control scheme at the estate \u2013 the first time one has ever been used \u2013 in order to protect the SSSIs. NatureScot said it would use the powers as \u201ca last resort\u201d.<\/p>\n

Subsidies ‘unacceptable\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scottish Environment LINK is a coalition of over 50 green groups. Its deer group backs new powers for NatureScot to intervene and reduce deer numbers, as set out in the natural environment bill passing through the Scottish Parliament.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt present NatureScot only has powers to prevent deer damage, and then has only used their compulsory powers to reduce deer numbers once \u2013 at Loch Choire \u2013 since they came into force in 1996,\u201d claimed a spokesperson.<\/p>\n

This had been an \u201cabject failure, and has cost the public large amounts of money,\u201d they alleged. \u201cNatureScot urgently needs new workable powers to reduce deer numbers to protect our best wildlife sites and must then use them where needed\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Highlands and Islands Green MSP, Ariane Burgess, said: \u201cIt\u2019s unacceptable that an estate receiving over \u00a31m in public subsidies has failed to manage deer responsibly, causing serious damage to protected habitats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Public money must come with clear conditions to safeguard Scotland\u2019s peatlands, woodlands and biodiversity for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

A NatureScot spokesperson said: \u201cIt is essential that appropriate deer management and control take place on Loch Choire Estate. We are aware that public money has been provided to support the landowners in their efforts to achieve environmental benefits on their land.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis public interest must be protected by managing the impacts of deer on protected areas and woodland.\u201d<\/p>\n

More Works\u2019 owner, Jonathan Greenall, did not respond to a request to comment.<\/p>\n

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