Better land use

Ronnie Kippen’s article “Why grouse shooting industry may face ruin” (The Scotsman, 27 December) in defence of gamekeepers and grouse moors, states that keepers look after wildlife and do good

environmental work also. A little further on, he hints at the slaughter of undesirable wildlife with the phrase “firearms … for predator control”!

He puts the unexplained loss of raptors and other wildlife crime down to those who are unrepresentative of his profession whilst at the same time suggesting that the industry is already over-regulated.

He mentions that to retain grouse moors a large area of Scotland is “managed”, but fails to mention the opportunity cost of this uneconomic activity, ie, what other use could be made of the land and would that be more productive and also good for jobs – things such as native woodlands renewal and habitat restoration to protect endangered species like the wild cat.

In addition, non-wood forest products such as mushrooms, berries, honey, tree sap and game could all be harvested from the restored land, with the owner’s permission, of course.

This invigorated environment would probably encourage much more nature tourism which would bring jobs to the countryside in addition to the sale of the forest products.

Ilona Amos (27 December), commenting on the State of Nature report which highlights the precarious state of some of Scotland’s wildlife, suggests that unless action is taken to change the way Scotland’s wild land is managed native species such as the red squirrel, capercaillie and wildcats are at risk of extinction.

Scotland needs the expertise that folk like Ronnie Kippen have acquired, but these talents need to be put to use for the benefit of all rather than the select few who shoot handreared, driven grouse once or twice a year.

BENEDICT BATE South Clerk Street, Edinburgh