Survey shows depth of support for Grouse shooting in Scotland 

An online survey has revealed a great deal of support for grouse shooting in Scotland, with 95% of respondents saying it would be ‘bad news for the Scottish countryside’ if grouse shooting were to stop.

The depth of support for one of the country’s most famous sporting events is highlighted by a survey carried out by the Scottish Countryside Alliance, a campaigning organisation which represents rural interests.

The survey also showed that 26% reported having a direct business interest in grouse shooting; 44% have an indirect business interest; and 69% think the sport is good for their community.

Ross Montague, director for the SCA, said: “This is an interesting survey as it was conducted online and limited to one entry per computer. It was open to anyone who visited our website and it shows that whilst only 44% rely in some way on grouse for their business, nearly all respondents think it is important for the countryside.

“This bolsters what we have been saying for quite some time now, that land management for country sports in general is important for the bio-diversity of the land and especially jobs. And it seems people living in the countryside agree.

“Shooting is worth £240 million to the Scottish economy and this survey reveals that people realise its benefits. To lose grouse shooting would be akin to stopping golf throughout the country.”

The survey was conducted using Polldadddy research and was closed at 100 respondents.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND FOOTAGE
Grouse shooting footage for broadcast is free to download:
http://www.moorlandassociation.org/education.asp

Photograph of Gamekeeper Alastair Mitchell, who works for the sporting tenant at Crown Estates, Glenlivet: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4729106/Alastair%20Mitchell.jpg

Grouse shooting party at Tomintoul: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4729106/Grouse%20Shooting%20Party%20Tomintoul%20copy.jpg

Grouse shooting at Tomintoul: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4729106/Grouse%20Shooting%20Tomintoul%20copy.jpg

Brothers Scoop Top Country Sports Award

Scotland’s most prestigious award for young country sports people, the Tam Tod Trophy, has been won by not just one junior sporting superstar, but three – all from the same family!

Neil, Allan and David Fisher, from Kirkhill near Inverness, were presented with the award at the Scottish Game Fair on Saturday 3 July 2010 in recognition of their commitment to and excellence in shooting.

Twins Neil and Allan (15) and younger brother David (13) were nominated by Donald Muir, Events and Training Officer for BASC Scotland, who has been instrumental in the brothers’ progress through the ranks of the organisation’s Young Shots programme.

Donald said: “Even though the boys come from a non-shooting background and have been shooting for less than a year, they have made superb progress and have demonstrated the commitment, attitude and dedication required to go far in their sport.

“The boys are worthy winners of this fantastic award and will be excellent ambassadors for shooting in Scotland among young people.”
 
The Tam Tod Trophy was inaugurated in 2009 and was funded in memory of one of Scotland’s finest countrymen, the late Tam Tod, a gamekeeper, ghillie and lifelong friend of the countryside. The specially commissioned trophy was created by leading designer Robert MacFadzean of Fine Iron Design and is awarded annually to Scotland’s most improved young country sports person. In 2009, the award was presented to Greg Sinclair through the Angling for Youth Development Scheme, based in Blairgowrie and Renfrewshire.
 
Nicola Chalmers-Watson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET) which administers the fund, said: “Tam Tod’s reputation for service to the countryside in his many years working in Scotland – initially on one of the Duke of Buccleuch’s estates and latterly at Strone, Bridge of Cally – is extremely well known. His commitment to passing on the ways of the countryside to future generations has been held in high esteem, so it is right and fitting that a trophy be awarded in his name.
 
“I would like to congratulate Neil, Allan and David on their achievement and I look forward to hearing more about their success in future years.”
 
Ross Montague, Director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) said: “We are delighted that through the work of our sister charity SCAET, young people like the Fisher brothers are presented with life changing opportunities due to their involvement in country sports.

“This is good news for the future of shooting in Scotland and I’m sure that Tam would be delighted that such worthy winners have been chosen.”
 

SCA Awards Launched at Royal Highland Show

Individuals and businesses working in Scotland's countryside are to be given the opportunity to prove they are the best in the UK.

Their contributions to the economy, excellent standards, and their communities will be rewarded by the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) Awards which are launched today (Thursday 24th June) at the Royal Highland Show (3pm Stand no 473, Countryside Area).

The popular annual awards are in their third year and the winners are announced at the Scottish Parliament, before going on to represent Scotland on a UK level. There they will be up against individuals and businesses that have been deemed the best in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the eventual UK winners named at a ceremony in the House of Commons, in January 2011.

Nominations are made by the public and a select panel of judges The focus is on recognising contributions to development of local food, retailing, enterprise and traditional business operations. There is also a broader Rural Hero category, for those making unique personal contributions to the quality of countryside life, and a Bio-diversity Through Country Sports award, celebrating the United Nations' International Year of Bio-diversity.

Ross Montague, Director of the SCA, said: "The SCA Awards have become immensely popular and we are launching them earlier this year to cope with demand. We are excited to be doing so at the Royal Highland Show which is an excellent showcase for the best of Scotland's countryside.

"We are looking for the best that rural Scotland has to offer, especially as the winners will be representing the nation on a UK level. The SCA is on the country's side in more ways than one, and these awards underline our commitment to highlighting the successes of Scottish rural businesses and communities."

For the past two years the Scottish winner of the Best Rural Enterprise has gone on to claim the UK version as well. The current holders are Machars Movies, the most most southerly cinema in Scotland, situated on the isolated Isle of Whithorn in Dumfries.

Mike Marshall, who is the Chair for Machars Movies which beat other nominations from all over the UK, said: “It was engrossing seeing the immense range of impressive entries for the awards. These really were the best companies and organisations rural UK has to offer. We were absolutely elated at winning the award which is a tribute to the persistence and endurance of the Machars community in making this project work. It is their support which is so important to its success.

"Being part of the SCA Awards was a wonderful experience for us, and we were grateful to be nominated. We thoroughly recommend that people in rural communities get nominating now."

The categories are:

Local Food Award –Those promoting the best of local produce, supporting our producers and paving the way to a bright future for local produce are honoured here.

Village Shop/ Post Office Award – The personalities behind the counter form the heart of the category. We want to hear about the characters who serve their community day in, day out and never ask for praise.

Enterprise Award – New businesses, expanded and diversified businesses, complete one-offs – we want to hear about the most enterprising outfits in the countryside.

Traditional Business Award – Keeping traditional skills alive in a thoroughly modern setting, anyone maintaining or enhancing a long-practised rural skill is eligible here.

Rural Hero Award – A wide open category to spark the imagination. Lollipop ladies, the local bobby, a river keeper, a teacher, the game dealer, or a local journalist are just a few examples of who might be nominated.

Bio-diversity Through Country Sports - Recognises the work of individuals or businesses that further bio-diversity as part of their land management for country sports.

For more information, please contact info@scottishcountrysidealliance.org

SCA Signals Start of Country Plans for 2011 Election

Businesses, individuals and organisations based in rural Scotland are to be given the opportunity to shape some of the agenda for next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.

They will be invited to identify the key issues affecting the Scottish countryside and crucial areas they wish the political parties to address ahead of the expected election on May 5th 2011.

Their thoughts, aspirations and contributions will be sought during a series of summer roadshow meetings being arranged by leading rural organisation the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) which has members all over the country.

The roadshow meetings will take place during game fairs at the Royal Highland Show, Scone, and Moy. The SCA will also be canvassing member opinions via their website and news materials. They will then use the findings to create an SCA manifesto and to inform the political parties of priority issues in the countryside. In the past these have ranged from fuel duty and land management to birds of prey and country sports.

Ross Montague, Director of SCA said: “A key part of our operations is to work with parties and politicians in Holyrood to find real solutions for Scottish countryside challenges.

“Rural businesses, entrepreneurs and communities contribute an immense amount to the Scottish economy. Shooting alone, for example, generates £240 million in business. So in more ways than one, we’re on the country’s side, and we want to play our part in making sure the Scottish Parliament fully represents the needs, ideas and aspirations of rural Scotland.”

The summer roadshow meetings, which will be open to the public, will take place at the SCA stand:

Royal Highland Show: Friday 25th June at 10.30
Scone: Sunday 4th July at 10.30
Moy: Friday 6th August at 14.00