Shooting protects estate jobs

The survey was commissioned by the association and focussed on sporting estates in Strathdearn on the Upper Findhorn Valley, near Aviemore.

It found that private estates in the area sustained 47 full-time jobs, excluding forestry or farm-related positions.

The research highlighted the importance of country pursuits to rural economies and found that �1m a year was generated between Strathdearn's nine estates.

Without private estates, said the report, small glens like Strathdearn would suffer financially and the rich bio-diversity of the area would be in danger.

The association predicted that the jobs of gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies would be lost, and 34 different trades would be at risk.

Grouse stocks have suffered in the last two years, mainly due to inclement weather.

An unusually wet summer in 1998 and a mild winter in 1999, mean the number of birds is lower than normal.

Prices for shooting in Scotland start from �1,000 per gun per day.