The deerstalking season is now underway. Photo: Bill Ebbesen CC-BY-2.0

The deerstalking season is now underway. Photo: Bill Ebbesen [CC-2.0]

The charity that looks after mountain shelters has warned some of them have restrictions during the deerstalking season.

The Mountain Bothies Association said a small number of bothies are required by their owners during shooting for estate purposes, and at others, a particular route to a building may be preferred.

It said bothy users are urged to co-operate with estates and to comply with any restrictions.

“The association maintains these buildings by agreement with and courtesy of their owners and ignoring advice might put the future of the bothy at risk,” a spokesperson said.

The charity said similar restrictions apply during the lambing season in spring.

The spokesperson added: “As previously notified, Suileag bothy in Assynt will be closed during the period 31 August to 7 September for major maintenance.

“A work party is also planned at Dibidil bothy on Rùm during the period 7 to 11 September. However, as the work is weather-dependent, the exact dates may alter slightly.

“Those hoping to use the bothy are advised to be prepared to camp.

“Faindouran bothy remains closed due to a wall collapse, although alternative accommodation is available nearby.”

Updates are available on the Mountain Bothies Association website.

Scottish Natural Heritage, the advisory outdoors body for the Scottish Government, is also urging walkers to check for stalking before heading out on to the nation’s mountains.

The Head for the Hills website enables outdoor fans to check whether stalking is taking place on various estates.

The service, which was set up four years ago, covers about 70 estates in popular hillwalking areas mainly in the Cairngorms national park, the Breadalbane area and on the west coast.

The website includes general information about stalking on all participating estates and contact details for more information.

Some estates provide detailed information on the site up to a week in advance, describing where and when stalking will take place, as well as suggested walking routes. There is also information about responsible behaviour for land managers and walkers.

SNH said the popularity of the stag-stalking season for walking led to demand from both walkers and land managers for an online service, making it much easier for walkers and other recreational users to take reasonable steps to find out about stag-stalking, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

SNH is also looking for feedback on the service.
Fiona Cuninghame, SNH recreation and access officer, said: “The web service is a quick way to check that you won’t disturb deerstalking when heading to participating estates from July to October.

“We’ve had good feedback from walkers and land managers about the website. But we want to make sure the service is as easy to use as possible, has the potential to cover a larger area, and is accessible from mobiles and tablets.

So I’d welcome suggestions on our online survey.”

Andrea Partridge, Mountaineering Council of Scotland access officer, said: “The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has been closely involved with the Heading for the Scottish Hills website and is delighted to see that steps are being taken to expand the service and make it more accessible.

We would encourage all hillgoers to check the website during the stalking season and if needed contact the relevant estate.”

The site takes its name from the Heading for the Scottish Hills book, a collaboration between landowners and mountaineers published between 1988 and 1996.

For the first time, this book provided hillwalkers with an easy way to identify and contact participating estates to find out where stalking was taking place.

The deer stalking season takes place from 1 July to 20 October.

Both stalking information and the survey can be found on the Heading for the Hills website.

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