Before heading for the hills check out this website

Hillwalkers are being encouraged to check online for deer stalking information before setting out during the busiest part of the season.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Sep 2020, 16:45 BST
Deer stalking season....Scottish hillwalkers are being asked to check information on the website before heading for the hills. (Pic: Laurie Campbell)Deer stalking season....Scottish hillwalkers are being asked to check information on the website before heading for the hills. (Pic: Laurie Campbell)
Deer stalking season....Scottish hillwalkers are being asked to check information on the website before heading for the hills. (Pic: Laurie Campbell)

NatureScot manages the Heading for the Scottish Hills website which provides details on deer stalking on estates between July and late October to help walkers avoid disturbing stalking.

The website also helps walkers follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It includes advice on where and when stag stalking is taking place, provides details on who to contact for more information and includes routes that are ‘always okay’ for walkers.

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Fiona Cuninghame, NatureScot recreation and access officer, said: “It has been great to see so many people returning to our wonderful outdoors once again following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

“Many people may be discovering the joys of exploring our hills and mountains for the first time, which is fantastic.

“However, it’s also important to bear in mind that this can be a very busy time for land managers.

“Our Heading for the Scottish Hills website is a great resource to help walkers have a great day out without disturbing deer stalking in their chosen area, as well as helping to raise awareness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

Heading for the Scottish Hills was first launched in 2015.

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Davie Black, Mountaineering Scotland’s access officer, said: “We have been involved since the website first started and are always happy to see more estates join each year.

“We encourage all walkers to check the website during the stalking season and contact the relevant estate if they have further questions.”

The Association of Deer Management Groups has been involved with Heading for the Scottish Hills for more than 20 years, both in its initial book form and now in the online version.

Chairman Richard Cooke said: “We’d like to see this resource as the ‘go to’ source of information for people enjoying recreational access in Scotland

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“We are pleased that an increasing number of Deer Management Groups are signing up.

“Clearly it is in our members’ interests to make this information available.”

To find out more, visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/hftsh.

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