19 February, 2026
Mountain habitats improving after deer management efforts
Habitat conditions have improved across a popular Highland mountain range following long-term collaborative efforts to reduce deer densities in the area.
Landowners and managers in North Ross have been working with NatureScot since 2020 through a voluntary agreement to control deer to lower the pressure from grazing and trampling on the protected blanket bog and mountain grasslands at Beinn Dearg, near Ullapool.
Herbivore impact assessments have found significantly reduced impacts since 2013 with 88% of plots registering either low or moderate/low browsing. Meanwhile 76% of plots fell into the lower impact categories for trampling impacts.
With deer cull targets met and habitats improving, the formal control agreement, which covers around 87,832 ha stretching from Ullapool almost to Ardgay, will now come to an end.
The North Ross Deer Management Group (DMG) is developing a future deer management plan to support the continued improvement of the site, which is both a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
James Hall, Chair of the North Ross DMG, said: “The North Ross group has been working with partners on the Beinn Dearg designated site for many years, with focused deer culls completed by the land managers in the group, supported on occasion by NatureScot. This has been done under a voluntary agreement reflecting a common interest in habitat improvement across the area.
“The group will continue to manage deer numbers and to further improve our understanding of what impacts the wild deer behaviour around the site, including gaining a better understanding of the human interactions in this popular walking and mountaineering area.
“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 is a great example of collaboration and cooperation 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.
“We’ll continue to support the North Ross Deer Management Group to develop their new deer management plan. This will be a long-term commitment to ensure deer management reflects habitat condition, contributes towards meeting nature and climate targets and also benefits the deer population in that area.”
ENDS
Contact information
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- NatureScot Media
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- 0131 316 2655
- media@nature.scot
Notes to editors
While deer are an important part of our biodiversity, in high numbers they can have a negative impact on woodlands, peatlands and other habitats. Sustainable deer management is vital if we are to bring populations in balance with the rest of nature and effectively tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
To help achieve this, NatureScot can establish voluntary control agreements under Section 7 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, to support landowners and managers through a formal agreement to carry out specific deer management measures and achieve agreed targets.
These control agreements – known as Section 7s – can be used to prevent damage to habitats, improve biodiversity or safeguard the public (for example, from road accidents).
Now that North Ross has exited their Section 7 agreement, they will move to what is known as a 6A agreement which requires a deer management plan to be in place.
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. We work to enhance our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. Our priority is a nature-rich future for Scotland and an effective response to the climate emergency. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot or follow us on X at https://x.com/NatureScot
’S e NatureScot buidheann nàdair na h-Alba. Bidh sinn a’ neartachadh àrainneachd na h-Alba agus a’ brosnachadh dhaoine gu barrachd suim a chur ann an nàdar. Tha e mar phrìomhachas againn gum bi nàdar na h-Alba beairteach agus gun dèilig sinn gu h-èifeachdach le èiginn na gnàth-shìde. Tha an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh aig www.nature.scot no air X aig https://x.com/NatureScot
