National Park bosses are to explore whether a ‘shared larder’ for venison could help encourage farmers and small estate owners to help keep deer numbers down.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority has begun a community consultation as part of a wider pilot project to establish a larder facility in the east of the park,
Rising numbers of deer have resulted in damage to farming and forestry crops and local ecosystems, as they can feed on farmland and damage habitats through overgrazing.
Stalkers would be able to use the larder to process and store deer carcasses, pooling their resources without having to invest in their own buildings and chillers
A similar scheme in Thurso was launched in 2023, and was hailed as ‘collaborative deer management in action’.
Developed in partnership with the East Loch Lomond Land Management Forum, and delivered by Native Woodland Advice, the consultation runs until mid-March this year.
The project’s primary goal is to determine whether access to better-equipped larder facilities can ease barriers to effective deer population management - an increasingly pressing issue in the region.
Rising numbers of deer have resulted in damage to farming and forestry crops and local ecosystems, as they can feed on farmland and damage habitats through overgrazing.
By providing a dedicated shared larder, the initiative aims to improve deer management efforts, reduce crop damage, and create better access to venison markets, potentially opening up new revenue streams for local communities and land managers.
“The Park Authority recognises the challenges that farmers and managers face in managing the deer population, and we believe this pilot project offers a sustainable, practical solution,” said Victor Clements, lead consultant for the project and founder of Native Woodland Advice.
“By providing a shared facility, we can help alleviate the logistical and financial constraints associated with deer management, benefiting both the environment and the local economy.”
This initiative forms part of the Authority’s broader efforts to help local communities protect the area’s natural landscape and biodiversity.
Simon Jones, Director of Environment and Visitor Services at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, said:
“East Loch Lomond is one of eight Deer Management Groups we've supported across the National Park. Negative impacts caused by deer populations are a major issue in many parts of the National Park, as it is across the country.
“The effective and sustainable management of deer populations, based on sound ecological and animal welfare principles, is crucial to protecting and restoring nature and landscapes.
“It also supports land managers in meeting their land management objectives and can open important revenue streams.
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He added: “The East Loch Lomond Larder pilot project is an exciting development of this work, and if successful, it could be replicated and shared with communities throughout the National Park and beyond.
“We very much hope that those in East Loch Lomond who are interested will participate in the consultation, ensuring it truly reflects local needs and offers an effective community solution.”
