URBAN DEER

We can relate to Patrick Laurie’s West Lothian wanderings in the fly-tipped countryside (Itchen for a staycation, 24 March).

On the bright side, he highlights the deer populations in the area around South Queensferry, where they are well managed on the three great neighbouring estates.

Peri-urban roe are becoming increasingly evident, even being seen one mile from the centre of Edinburgh where I live.

The photograph in Patrick’s article of the fallow herd, with the backdrop of the old Forth Bridge, would appear to have been taken from the 150-acre deer park of Hopetoun Estate.

They were introduced in the 18th century, along with a smaller red deer park on the shores of the Firth of Forth. Both are worthy tourist destinations