Deer in the Cairngorms National Park

Red and roe deer are the only two native species of wild deer within the British Isles. Both are common within the Cairngorms National Park and are valuable natural assets.

Non-native sika deer occur in some parts of the Park and there is a small herd of semi-domesticated reindeer on Cairngorm.

Deer grazing has a significant impact on the landscape and ecology of the Cairngorms. Deer are not the only grazers - they share grazing with sheep, mountain hares, rabbits, small mammals, red grouse and a host of invertebrates.

Species such as sheep, rabbits and heather beetle can cause dramatic impacts on vegetation, but it is the impact of red deer which has arguably generated more public controversy than any other species in Scotland.

Controversy arises because deer bring benefits but also cause negative impacts. Benefits include deer stalkers' jobs and people prepared to invest in Highland Estates. Deer stalking also produces venison which is a lean, healthy meat and deer are a feature of the Cairngorms landscape which visitors and residents wish to see.

However, negative impacts caused by deer include damage to native woodland, where browsing can prevent tree regeneration and woodland expansion. Also deer can cause damage to crops and plantations and there is the risk of drivers colliding with deer on the road.

In the past, the Cairngorms area has often been the focus of conflicts about deer.

Click here to find out more information on the deer species occurring within the Cairngorms National Park.

Deer and the natural heritage

About 25% of the Cairngorms National Park is designated under Natura legislation. Natura sites represent our finest wildlife habitats and the UK government has made international commitments to protect them. All countryside agencies have a legal duty to work to ensure these sites are not damaged.

An audit of all Natura sites will be carried out to see if they are meeting their conservation objectives. Government will take action on those sites where grazing or trampling by deer or sheep is preventing conservation objectives from being met. Such action could involve the use of public money to finance conservation management. Where it is not possible to reach agreement on how the site should be managed, government has the power to enforce compulsory deer control.

The need to protect Natura sites is likely to drive significant deer reductions within the Cairngorms National Park between 2007 and 2010.

Supporting sustainable deer management in the Cairngorms National Park

One of the CNPA's priorities for action is to support sustainable deer management in the National Park. Deer are an essential part of the Park's biodiversity. Due to the significant impacts deer can have on natural heritage qualities, there is a particular need to address the complex issues facing deer management. In collaboration with Deer Management Groups, communities and public agencies, the Park Authority's aim is to achieve the following:

• A patchwork of deer densities allowing different deer management objectives to be achieved in different parts of the Park;
• A deer management planning process which seeks agreement from all interested parties on what deer densities should be;
• Good communications between all involved in deer management;
• Deer recognised as a valuable asset throughout the Park;
• Deer impacts viewed as being in balance with habitats, and
• Deer management carried out to high professional standards and respected by all.

The Cairngorms Deer Advisory Group

The idea of a deer advisory group for the Cairngorms arose through discussion between deer managers, public agencies, communities and non-governmental organisations. As a result the Cairngorms Deer Advisory Group (CDAG) was established in 2006. CDAG is independent of the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Please click here for more information on the Group and for meeting minutes and agendas.

Useful links

• Deer Commission Scotland
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Opportunities to go stalking
• Association of Deer Managements Groups
• Country Sport Scotland
• Hillphones - to minimise conflict between hillwalkers and stalking parties
• Best practice - defining standards in deer management
• Cairngorms Speyside Deer Management Group