Deer culls credited with improving habitats in north-west Highlands

Habitat conditions have improved in the Ben Dearg area of the Highlands after deer culling targets were met, according to NatureScot.

A voluntary agreement involving landowners and land managers has been in place since 2020 to reduce deer numbers across about 197,684 acres (80,000 ha) of North Ross, near Ullapool.

Assessments suggest deer are having a "significantly lower impact" on protected areas of blanket bog and mountain grassland.

The control area stretching from Ullapool almost to Ardgay contains a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Scotland's nature body, NatureScot, said lower to moderate impacts were now being registered in most areas.

The agency said the formal deer control agreement had come to an end after cull targets were met and habitats had improved.

North Ross Deer Management Group is developing a future management plan to support the continued improvement of the area.

Chairman James Hall said the group would continue to manage deer numbers and further improve its understanding of wild deer behaviour in an area that is popular with walkers and mountaineers.

He said: "We are keen to work with a range of interests in an effort to protect this Site of Special Scientific Interest, whilst also recognising that the site requires a degree of herbivore activity, in terms of grazing of the special grasses, to ensure they survive and thrive."

Chris Donald, NatureScot's head of operations for Central Highland, said the progress made in North Ross had highlighted collaboration between private land managers and the public sector.

"Deer stalkers and the deer management group have made this agreement a great success, working together to help the special habitats of this area recover," he said.