Estates create employment

Sir, - I should apologise for leaving one of your readers “stunned” (August 25).

I was rebuked for using “anecdotal” evidence to suggest sea eagles predate on lambs.

Is SNH good enough for your correspondent?

A spokesman for SNH has stated: “Given their presence occasionally conflicts with livestock rearing, we are working hard with farmers, crofters and conservationists to minimise any impacts. We are trying to devise means of reducing risks of lambs being taken live. In recognition of eagles taking some lambs, SNH does operate a sea eagle management scheme.”

I’d guess he’s been listening to the same folk who tell us foxes don’t kill lambs, and buzzards only eat carrion.

He raises points about agricultural grants. These grants apply to sheep farmers he tells us. A sheep farmer is a sheep farmer surely?

Why should sheep farmers on grouse estates be treated any differently from sheep farmers without grouse?

He tells us that the grouse shooting elite has stifled development to prevent sport being damaged. Easy words but where are the examples?

Tell us, for example, what developments have been stifled that would replace, for example, the 13 keepers employed on one estate not far from him. That’s 13 jobs, families, households living and working in the country. One estate. Gerard Watts. Persie Estate, Glenshee.