Field sports vital to Scotland’s economy

Sir, - I read Jim Crumley’s column (August 15) with a mounting sense of incredulity.

How can an author speak of ‘informed debate’ and then demonstrate that he is totally ill informed.

He claims damage caused by sea eagles is a myth.

Perhaps he would care to emerge from his lair and express that opinion to sheep farmers in Gairloch or Skye. He would get short shrift.

We have seen before that Mr Crumley would reserve rural Scotland as some sort of theme park more or less completely for his leisure moments.

The truth is that rural Scotland is a dynamic, living place where its inhabitants work and live, populating its glens with families and children, not the preserve of those who would visit for their days off, and then clear off again.

One of the few ways these rural populations are sustainable is by supporting the increasing and lucrative field sports industry, which science tells us is good for both people and wildlife.

Who would provide alternative employment or funding?

Those areas owned by the communities of which he speaks have been almost completely funded by taxpayers (my) money.

Does he advocate the same for the grouse moors and deer forests he so despises?

Does he have the slightest grasp of economic reality?

How can he speak of honesty in the debate and then use his platform to ignore the facts because they do not suit his form of political dogma, his imaginary utopia? Gerard Watts. Persie Estate, Glenshee.

Picture: PA/Woodlands Trust Recently-hatched sea eagle chicks near Loch Arkaig.