Back in August we published this photograph (below) taken in Leadhills by an anonymous contributor. The photo was of interest to us because the Earl of Hopetoun had recently argued that, “Leadhills Estate is not also known as the Hopetoun Estate”. This photographic evidence suggested otherwise (see here for previous blog entry on this).
Now fast forward a couple of months and the same contributor has sent us this photograph (below) of the same sign taken in September, a few weeks after we’d blogged about it. It seems it’s not just satellite-tagged raptors that mysteriously disappear into thin air. No doubt the original sign was storm-damaged and fell off. What possible other explanation is there for its disappearance?
Raptor Persecution UK 
Possibly removed by a off road vehicle enthusiast, sign, what sign !
Unlikely. The ‘Hopetoun Estates’ sign had been sitting there untouched for about a decade before the photo appeared in this blog.
Why is this such a big thing? Our local estate appears to be known as the ‘Haie’ estate, Newnham estate and Curre House estate, depending who you talk to. Whilst the estate is near Newnham and is owned by the Curre family it is in fact the ‘Haie’ estate…no real issue I’d have thought.
This is actually a very big thing, although you need to understand the context for it to make sense. Not enough time to explain here – try clicking on the Leadhills Estate tag and reading up on what’s gone on on this estate over the last few decades, then read about the RSPB’s decision to hold their Birdfair at Hopetoun House. Then ask yourself why the Earl of Hopetoun, who also happens to be a Director of Scottish Land & Estates, keeps trying to distance himself from his association with Leadhills Estate. Once you’ve done that, you’ll understand our interest in the name of this estate.
Hi there! I am glad your site exists; it gives another way of exposing the lack of law and order in the countryside with regard to wildlife welfare and conservation. My friends and I are active each weekend with our stall on animal welfare and conservation. We go to the towns in the Central Belt and to the shopping centres in Glasgow, where we meet the real people who are the low income earners and with problems. Great results come from such places, as there is a strong feeling regarding the protection of animals and for wildlife conservation. This belies the usual rot one gets from politicians and the police, when they say they have other priorities. We have come to the conclusion that a new force should arise in Scotland to challenge the land ownership issue that has prevailed for 800 centuries, with so few owning the land, but impacting on its biodiversity by employing people who are hell bent on destroying any creature that may interfere with game bird shooting. Politicians, the Judiciary and the Police can be complicit in this process on occasions, and a constant challenge should be presented to them to enforce the law heavily in cases of poisoning, trapping etc birds of prey. A National Petition should be set in motion to show how the public feels on this issue of what goes on on the landscape of Scotland with regard to wildlife, native woodlands and other issues relevant to good management for wildlife. Those shooting estates following the law, should be rewarded for such care. This needs launching and soon. Mr Greer Hart 0141 649 2462
You should know by now that the shooting estates managers and their owners are incapable of telling lies, they just bend the truth in anyway that suits the shady situation they’re in at the time, problem is, they always seem to be getting themselves into a shady situation. Incidentally, has anyone considered that the sign is now written in invisible ink so that only those that are in the know can see it.