Walkers are being urged to check for deerstalking activity before heading for the Scottish hills. Photo: Bill Ebbesen ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
A pilot website to enable walkers to check where deerstalking is taking place is running again.
The Heading for the Scottish Hills site was set up last year by Scottish Natural Heritage to complement the long-running Hillphones service.
Early autumn is the peak period for stalking activity, and the site will operate until 20 October.
A spokesperson for SNH said: “The pilot web service was developed to help you find out where deer stalking is taking place over the busy stag stalking season – 1 July to 20 October.
“This information can then be used to plan routes which help to minimise the chance of disturbing stalking within the pilot areas, in line with the guidance in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
“This year’s pilot will cover some of the most popular hillwalking areas in Scotland, but please be aware that deer stalking takes place in many other upland areas that are not part of the pilot.”
The areas covered include part of the Cairngorms, the western and south-west Highlands and northern Arran.
The website includes a map linked to details of stalking on estates throughout the areas covered with estate contact details.
Details are on the Heading for the Scottish Hills website.
Hillphones details are also available on the SNH site.
