Press release from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform
19th August 2023
EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Water confirms no new grouse shooting leases allowed on its land
Scotland’s publicly owned water corporation has confirmed that ‘there will be no new grouse shooting leases created’ across its land. This follows the recent news that the United Utilities water company will not renew grouse shooting leases in England.
In a written statement sent to REVIVE, the publicly owned company said:
“We depend on a thriving environment and are committed to enhancing biodiversity across our land holdings and asset base.
Scottish Water has only one area on which there is an operational grouse shooting lease in place. This lease is set to expire in 2027 and we will review our future options on land use priorities at that point. We will do that with particular regard to biodiversity and sustainability, taking into account our position on muirburn and herbivore management requirements. This will be subject to a formal decision-making process to be undertaken in due course; however, it is likely these considerations will lead to changes in the terms of any lease offered in future.
In the meantime, there will be no new grouse shooting leases created elsewhere across our catchment estate.”
Scottish Water has previously confirmed that no new agreements for muirburn will be granted to shooting tenants in a move to increase environmental protection of peatlands. Driven grouse shooting often depends on muirburn to sustain high numbers of grouse for ‘sport shooting’ so this new development casts the future of its grouse moor in doubt.
In response Max Wiszniewski, Campaign Manager for REVIVE said:
“Driven grouse shooting is surrounded by a circle of destruction including moorland burning. Whether it’s the environmental destruction or the killing of hundreds of thousands of animals, like foxes, stoats, weasels, crows and so-called ‘non target species’ like hedgehogs, it’s a land use that is incompatible with our aspirations for a green and prosperous Scotland.
It’s a very welcome development to see Scotland’s public water company taking this issue seriously and confirming that no new grouse shooting leases will be allowed across the rest of its land. We hope that Scottish Water will continue this trend of good news and decide to end, and not renew, their sport shooting leases when the time comes.”
Scotland’s grouse shooting season began on the 12th of August and ends on the 10th of December. Meanwhile, the ongoing Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill is set to reform grouse moor practices at a national level before the next shooting season begins.
ENDS
Raptor Persecution UK 
Another nail…I’m getting toys flying out of prams, stamping feet & our ‘guardians of the countryside’ warning of a wader apocalypse.
What about transfer of ownership of existing leases , will this be allowed. If so it will just perpetuate the existing leases. We really need to see a programmed reduction over say 10 yr period .
“What about transfer of ownership of existing leases…”
Why the plural?
Bit by bit. Stone by stone…
I cannot help but wonder just how much land this very welcome decision will affect and also wonder if the last UU release was made to shut these barbarians up until they get used to the idea and find alternatives.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
The area is probably less significant than the fact that it is the national publicly owned water body and this follows what looks like changes in the relationship of the National Forest Estate in Scotland with adjacent grouse moors. The public interest is beginning to be enforced against Grouse moors for the first time in these relationships on the ground which indicates a welcome wider change in the politics of all this.
Great news. Does anyone know where the SW grouse shooting tenancy is? Glen Turret?
Backwater, Angus.
Umm interesting, thank you
Excellent. Just a shame we have to wait 4 years
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
I prefer this one, Mike (sorry for going off topic, Ed. Let me off just this once, eh?).
Hope this will help stop the decline of the Hen Harrier & all the other persecution of wildlife for the sake of money & sport ..they have had a chance to work with the wildlife & failed miserably!!! Well done Scottish Water …
Scottish Water has an Annual Consultative Meeting coming up, for those who can attend, or use the form on the page to submit a question, that might be a good way to support and reinforce this move: https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/In-Your-Area/ACM/ACM I’m drafting a letter of support to my MSPs and may submit a Q on your comment, John Godwin, by way of sending a supportive comment to them too. I hope this information is useful.
Excellent Coop another one bite the dust !! Harrowing stuff about the hen harriers just awful .The government needs to acknowledge these atrocities enough is enough .
this is from the BASC website “In a letter to the water company, BASC Scotland director Peter Clark outlines the environmental and economic benefits of grouse shooting, pointing out that grouse moors are “safe havens” for a whole raft of threatened wildlife, including red-listed birds such as lapwing and curlew.”
they always mention “threatened wildlife, including red-listed birds such as lapwing and curlew.” but never mention birds of prey??
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX don’t give a monkey’s toss about Lapwings or Curlews. If these two species conflicted in any way with their ridiculous pastime they’d be for the chop, like so many others which are ignorantly referred to as “vermin” by these XXXXX