Gamekeepers postpone protest due to coronavirus

Scotland’s gamekeepers have postponed their planned Holyrood protest against Scottish Government’s ‘death by a thousands cuts’ but have promised to rearrange when it is safe to do so.

The demonstration, organised by the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association (SGA), was due to take place yesterday (March 25) outside the Scottish Parliament.

SGA members say the government has abandoned them on key rural issues, placing increasing strain on workers and their families and heightening fears over job losses in remote areas.

However, the organisation moved to cancel their ‘defence of our jobs’ protest on Friday as major events such as sporting fixtures and other gatherings were halted by coronavirus response plans.

SGA chairman Alex Hogg said a new date will be announced in future so gamekeeper, stalker and ghillie members can get the opportunity to make their views known to Scottish Government.

‘It is the right thing to do to postpone at this time. When it is appropriate to do so, we will take advice on another suitable date but, for the time being, public health and safety are paramount.

‘Additionally, people were organising buses to travel to Edinburgh, from the Highlands to the Borders, and it is only right they can now make alternative arrangements with their employers and with travel companies.

‘What our industry is witnessing is a death by a thousand cuts. We have a lot of members who have shown support for the government’s stance on rural policy but, as said, that well is running dry.

‘They want their voices to be heard loud and clear and we – as their representatives – will be ensuring that this will happen, hopefully when the country emerges from the situation it finds itself in.’