The detail posted below was first published in 2010, however we feel that in view of the increasing number of poisoning incidents throughout the Scottish Highlands resulting in the deaths of large numbers of protected birds of prey, Raptor Politics feels the public have a right to know which estates have now added their names to a statement strongly condemning such criminal activities.
More than 200 estates throughout Scotland have signed an unprecedented letter condemning ‘out of hand’ instances of illegal poisoning of protected species. The landowners and estates set out their position in a letter to the Scottish Government Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham. The letter stated: “It is for us a straightforward decision to underline our view of illegal poisoning. Frankly, we condemn it out of hand and it has to stop. “The message must go out to the people who indulge in such criminal behaviour that what they do is totally unacceptable to the overwhelming majority who have the true interests of the countryside at heart.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that message is conveyed across the land management sector. We do not presume guilt nor refer to any particular incident, but the apparent deliberate poisoning of protected species in recent years has left us utterly dismayed.
“We also support the full weight of the law being brought to bear on those who are involved in illegal poisoning and endorse the efforts of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, in which our representative organisations are active and enthusiastic participants.”
The estates said that while wildlife crime had been repeatedly deplored by land management and rural organisations, efforts to eradicate illegal poisoning would be strengthened by individual owners and estates stating their position clearly.
Every estate contacted last year signed the letter and other estates have added their signitures declaring their support subsequently.
The signatories to date are as follows:
Lord Aberdeen, Haddo Estate, Ellon
The Earl of Aboyne, Aboyne Estate, Aboyne
James Adamson, Careston Castle, Brechin
Ailsa 1983 Trust, Culzean Estate, Maybole
Ailsa Continuing Trust, Cassillis Estate, Maybole
David Allingham, Gualin Estate, Lairg
Paul Anthony, Mid Bellandy Estate, Glenrinnes
The Duke of Argyll, Argyll Estates
The Hon Philip Astor, Tillypronie Estate, Aberdeenshire
Alan Bailey, Spital Tower, nr Denholm
Alex Baillie, Dochfour Estate, Inverness
Lord Balneil, Balcarres Estate, Fife
Andrew Barbour, Bonskeid Estate, Pitlochry
N R D Barlow, The Park, Earlston
Dick Bartlett, Grouse moor operator in Grampian/Highlands
Victor Beamish, Moy Estate
Patrick Benson, Old Parr House, Minto, Denholm
J Billett, Kintradwell Estate, by Brora
Simon Blackett, Invercauld Estates, Braemar
Blackhills Estate, Elgin
Nick Boileau, Hope Estate, Lairg
Luke Borwick, Blair Estate, Dalry
Ewen Brodie, Lethen Estate, Nairn
Andrew Brough, Bowhill Estate, Selkirk
Michael Bruce, Glen Tanar Estate, Aboyne
The Duke of Buccleuch, Buccleuch Estates
Robin Buchanan, Dalcross Estate, Croy
James Burnett, Leys Estate, Kincardineshire
Andrew Buxton, Drumcluan, Kincraig
Morag Cadzow, Muirend Farm, Broxburn
Donald Cameron, Lochiel Estates, Achnacarry
Pete Campbell, Balblair, Bonar Bridge
Patrick Campbell Fraser, Borthwickshiels
Thomas Cattanach, Newton Farm, Garmouth
Nigel Cayzer, Kinpurnie Estate, Blairgowrie
Gavin Chapman, Kinloch Estate, St Fergus
Rod Christie, Cotts Farm, Elgin
Mary Coltman, Haystoun, Peebles
David Cranstoun, Corehouse Estate, Lanark
Ian F and Evelyn Crombie, Over Rankeilour Farms, Cupar
Angus Crow, Glenlethnot Estate, Angus Glens
Lord Dalhousie, Dalhousie Estates, Brechin
Lord Dalmeny, Dalmeny Estates, South Queensferry
Patrick and Gillian Dalton, Milrighall, by Selkirk
Capt Ian C De Sales La Terriere, Dunalastair Estate, by Pitlochry
Peter H J de Vink, Huntly Cot, Temple
The Hon Mrs Anastasia D Delap, Achadunan Estate, Cairndow
James Dick, Andersons Northern, agricultural consultants
R P Douglas Miller, Horseupcleugh, Duns
Lord Doune, Moray Estates, Berryley
Sir Archibald Ranulph and Lady Amelia Dunbar, Duffus Estate, Elgin
James Duncan Millar, Remony Estate, Remony
Richard Eliott Lockhart, Cleghorn, near Lanark
Tom Eyre, Burnend Farm, Grange
Andrew Farquharson, Finzean Estate, Banchory
Andrew Feilden, Ardverikie Estate, Kinlochlaggan
James Findlay, Whiterow House, Forres
Finegand Estate Ltd, Glenshee, Perthshire
George C Fleming, Grange of Aberbothrie, Alyth
Sir George I D Forbes-Leith, Fyvie Estate, Turriff
Hugh and Ann Fraser, Overwells, Jedburgh
Hugh Fullarton-Smith, European Nature Trust
David Fyffe, Fetternear, Kamnay
G.B.B Estates Ltd, Inverasdale Estate, Wester Ross
James Galbraith, Rawflat, Ancrum
Jamie Gammell, Alrick, Glenisle
Gask Estate, Auchterarder
Stephen Gibbs, Dougarie Estate, Isle of Arran
Joe Gibbs, Belladrum Estate, Beauly
J Mark Gibson, Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington
Michael Gibson CBE, Edinvale, Dallas
John Gilmour, Balcormo Mains, Leven
Nicholas Gilmour, Montrave Estate, Leven
Robert Gladstone, Capenoch Estate, Penpont
Charles Gladstone, Fasque and Glendye Estates, Kincardineshire
Glenmazeran Estate
Andrew Duncan Gordon, Lude Estate, Blair Atholl
Sir Alistair Gordon Cumming, Altyre Estate
Alex and Priscilla Gordon-Duff, Drummuir Castle Estate, Drummuir
Heather Gow, Strathmore Estate, Altnaharra
Sir Archibald Grant, Monymusk Estate, Monymusk
Johnnie and James Grant, Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore
Mr and Mrs James Greenwood, Lairg Estate, Lairg
John Guthrie, Rosehaugh Estate, Black Isle
Hugh Halcro-Johnston, Orphir House, Orkney
The Marquess of Hamilton, Ardchyline and Minto Estates
Richard Harington, Strathrusdale and Crannich Estate, Easter Ross
Malcolm Hay, Edinglassie Estate, Glass, Huntly
Ruaraidh Hilleary, Edinbane Estate
Peter and Charlotte Hingston, Fairburn Estate, Urray
David Houldsworth, Dallas Estate, Forres
Andrew Howard, Little Blervie, Forres
E C M Humphrey, Dinnet and Kinord Estates, Aboyne
Charlotte Hunt, Keir Hill, Balfron
Jamie Ingall, Airds Estate, Mossdale
Adrian Ivory, Ruthven and Cardean Farms, Wester Cardean
James R Jeffrey, Halls, Dunbar
Lord Johnstone, Annandale Estates, St Ann’s
Lord Joicey, Loch Choire Estate, Ford and Etal Estates
Lord Kennedy, Morrison Farms
Tim J Kirkwood, CKD Galbraith
Alasdair Laing, Logie Estates, Forres
Murdoch Laing, Scardroy
Simon W D Laird, East Memus, Forfar
Kurt Larson, Kingairloch Estate, Kingairloch
Margaret A Lascelles, Straloch, Enochdhu
PJ Lewis, Cotfield, Melrose
Miranda Lindsay, Taymount Estate, Stanley
The Earl of Lindsay, Lahill, Upper Largo
Paul Lister, Alladale Wilderness Lodge and Reserve, Ardgay
James Lithgow, Ormsary Estate, Lochgilphead
John Lithgow, Inver Estate, Isle of Jura
Angus Macdonald Lockhart, Lee and Carnwath Estates, Shawfield
Marquis of Lothian, Lothian Estates, Jedburgh
David Lowes, Glenfalloch Estate, Ardlui
Luss Estates Company, Luss Estates, Arnburn
Peter Macdonald, Waterheads, Eddleston
Thomas MacDonnell, Glenfeshie Estate, Kincraig
Rob and Christine Mack, Muirton Mains, Fairburn
John Mackenzie, Gairloch and Conon Estates, Conon Bridge
Alex Mackenzie Smith, Newrow Farm, Methven
Gavin and Suzanne MacKessack-Leitch, Carden, Inchstelly and Rheeves, Moray
Celia Mackintosh, Moy Estate
Angus Maclay, Whitelee, St Boswells
Ewen MacPherson, Attadale Estate, Strathcarron
Gordon Macpherson, Arinackaig Estate
Alastair Macphie, Glenbervie Estate, Stonehaven
Malcolm Macrae, Breckness Estate, Orkney
Robin Maitland, Strutt and Parker
The Hon Gerald Maitland-Carew, Thirlestane Castle, Lauder
Lord Margadale of Islay, Islay Estates Company, Bridgend
Charles Marsham, Rispond Estate, Durness
David Matthews, Blackwood Estate, Auldgirth
Michael Maxwell Stuart, Baitlaws, Biggar
Doug McAdam, Cuil an Duin, Ballinluig
Keith McKellar, Hannah Research Institute, Ayr
Angus McMillan Douglas, nr Forfar
Andrew Mickel, Mactaggart and Mickel
Mark Molyneux, Morsgail Estate, Isle of Lewis
Hector Munro, Foulis Farms, Evanton
Lord Neidpath, Wemyss and March Estates, Longniddry
Malcolm Nicol, Ballogie Estate, Aboyne
Mark Nicolson, Mar Estate, Braemar
Sir Francis Ogilvy, Winton House, Pencaitland
Sir Archibald Orr-Ewing, Cardross Estate, Port of Monteith
Mrs Emma Paterson, Barncroft of Auchlyne, Killin
Mark Pattinson, Lochcarron Estate, Wester Ross
James and Margaret Payne, Ardvar Estate, Drumbeg
The Hon Charles Pearson, Dunecht Estates, Dunecht
Colonel Timothy Purdon, Coatefield House, Wiltshire
W B Ramsay, Chesthill Estate, Perthshire
Dr Sigrid Rausing, Coignafearn Estate, Tomatin
Lisbet Rausing, Corrour Estate, Fort William
David and Chrissie Reid, Portmore Estates, Peebles
Alastair J Riddell, Chesthill Estate, Balintyre
Patrick Ross Taylor, Littlegill, Biggar
The Duke of Roxburghe, Roxburghe Estate, Kelso
James Ruggles-Brise, Ledgowan Estate, Achnasheen
Andrew Salvesen, Findrack and Tillyfour Estates, Banchory
Cmdr Thomas Stephen Sampson, Mains of Balgavies
Alison Sangster, Old Hall, Watten
Colin Sangster, Old Hall, Watten
Robert Schiller, Craigdarroch, Moniaive
Ewen and Jenny Scobie, Rhidorroch Estate, Ullapool
Alexander Scott, Gelston Castle Estate, Castle Douglas
William Thomas Scott, Meiklewood, Gargunnock
Joe Scott-Plummer, Mainhouse, Kelso
The Earl of Seafield, Seafield and Strathspey Estates
David Seed, Cothill Farm, Duns
Christo Shepherd, Pitmillan, Newburgh
Walter Simpson, Downhill, Glendevon
Matthew Sinclair, Knocknalling, St John’s Town of Dalry
Donna Skelly, Grigor and Young
The Hon Philip Smith, Coulin Estate, Kinlochewe
Robert Smyly, Sunderland Hall, Galashiels
Frank Spencer-Nairn, Culligran Estate, Struy
Michael Spencer-Nairn, Struy Estate
Edward Sprot, Garnkirk Estate, Stepps
Lord Stair, Stair Estates, nr Stranraer
John Steel, Ashentully
Tony Stevenson, Selkirk
Mike Stevenson, Fawside, nr Gordon
J C Stewart, Arndean, Dollar
Lord Stormont, Mansfield Estates
Malcolm Strang Steel, Greenhead of Arnot, Leslie
Michael Strang Steel, Philiphaugh Estate, Selkirk
Viscount Strathallan, Stobhall Estate, Stobhall, Perth
David Sumsion, Ardkinglas Estate, Cairndow
Sutherland Estates, Golspie
Alistair Swanson, Tister, Halkirk
Susie Swift, Kintail House, Inverness
Chris Swift, South Clunes Farm, Inverness
Adrian Sykes, Kinloch Estate, Tongue
Mr H D Teacher, Fealar Estate
Mark Tennant, Innes Estate, Elgin
Major Alexander Trotter, Mortonhall and Charterhall
H P Trotter, T/A Printonan Farm
J H Trotter, Mordington Farm, Berwick upon Tweed
Sarah Troughton, Atholl Estates, Blair Atholl
Daye Tucker, Carbeth Home Farm, Balfron
Jonathan Michael Turnbull, Strone Estate, Cairndow
William Pratesi Urquhart, Craigston Estate, Turriff
James Vestey, Ormiston, Hawick
James Vestey, Benmore Estate, Lairg
George Vestey, Inchnadamp Estate
Sir Andrew Walker, Glenmuick Estate, Ballater
Dee Ward, Rottal Estate, Angus Glens
Johnny Watson, Lewinshope
Welbeck Estates, Berriedale, Sutherland
The Duke of Westminster, Reay Forest Estate, Achfary
Jamie Williamson, Alvie Estate, Kincraig
Simon Winton, Dalmunzie Estate, Glenshee
Charles Wolrige-Gordon, Esslemont Estate, Ellon
Wylye Valley Farming Limited, Aberarder Estate, Strathnairn
RSPB Scotland welcomed the letter – “We are glad that a lead has been taken in the light of recent reported crimes and others that are still under investigation,” said an RSPB spokesman.
“The use of illegal poisons and traps must not be tolerated and has no place in a modern Scotland. Estate owners and managers now need to take responsibility for getting this message across to their staff, and rooting this problem out once and for all.
“Killing adult golden eagles, red kites and other scarce species is a very serious crime; more serious than the theft of eggs in terms of its impact at a population level, and the courts must use the sentencing options they have to send an unequivocal message to wildlife criminals.”
Hopefully the start of a giant step in the right direction, well done by those involved and lets hope the shooting organisations and press get behind and support these estates.
What exactly does this prove?
What needs to happen now Rik, the responsible estates who have signed this letter now need to apply peer pressure upon those estates responsible for what is taking place eslewhere in Scotland. We also think it would be a good idea if there was a second list naming the owners of each estate where poisoning incidents have been recorded in Scotland.
All these estates now have to have Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Hen Harrier breeding on them. All producing normal numbers of young per pair and happy to see them flying over the moor on shooting days. All 3 species are shot to prevent damage on shooting days not just for taking Red Grouse!!
Hi John,
Surely you can’t make a blanket statement like ‘All these estates now have to have Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Hen Harrier breeding on them, etc.’
Many of these estates simply won’t have the appropriate breeding habitat/food supply for these particular specialised raptors.
I don’t have the technical ability, but it should be possible to create some sort of online map of these estates, and match it up against suspected persecution incidents
I don’t think it proves much Rik. There are estates not signed up with successful breeding raptors including golden eagle & there are ones signed up such as Moy where poisoned birds including kite were found last year & Logie where a sea eagle was found dead in December & although the body of this was removed before the police arrived I think we can safely rule out suicide. Its absurd to expect all estates to have breeding eagle, peregrine & harrier; the RSPB’s Abernethy reserve does’t even have the latter.
All that this is is a useful list of Scottish estates and the owners who perpetrate or abet Wildlife Crime on their lands, might come in handy some time. As for anything else, I wouldn’t trust any of them as far as I could see them !!!
nirofo.
Nice one nirofo!
you can sign a cheque but you don’t have to honour it!
The following link should take you to an article that appeared in the new york times on july 24th 1892. It a bit long winded in places but I think you’ll find it interesting.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F30B16FE3C5515738DDDAD0A94DF405B8285F0D3
What it shows is how long this persecution problem has existed and how long people on both sides of this issue have argued over it.
Just my opinion but I do believe a lot of the shooting community are generally embarrassed by the stupid actions of certain estates and the bad publicity and resentment it’s causing to their industry. Take the recent White Tailed Eagle incident as an example of the damage this is doing to Scotland’s communities, how much income would the first mainland nesting pair of these birds generate for a community? (Forgive me here if its already happened and the RSPB have been slow on the uptake) We’re talking millions of pounds in eco tourism alone, yet some selfish idiot leaves out poison bait, whether or not intended for an eagle it’s an indiscriminate killer and now there’s nothing.
Hopefully sooner rather than later some people will eventually sit down and sort this mess out to a satisfactory solution for both parties concerned but I do think both sides will have to make concessions.
Please be aware that this is very old news. It was actually released in May 2010 and was prompted by the eagle poisoning incident at Skibo Estate.
The list was reported here -http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/landowners-condemn-raptor-persecution/
And exposed as a sham here –
http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/landowners-condemnation-of-raptor-persecution-exposed-as-a-sham/
As reported it would be prudent to note that several of the estates on this list have either a history of raptor persecution or indeed are currently being investigated for recent alleged persecution incidents.
It is quite irresponsible to regurgitate this story at this time. Why? Becuse the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) bill reaches its final stage next week, and uninformed MSP’s may view your post, prior to their vote, and wrongly assume that estates are working hard to stamp out raptor persecution. They may well then be less inclined to vote for harsher penalties against the perpetrators of these disgraceful illegal activities.
We take on board all you say but do not agree with your last point. Raptor Politics will shortly be publishing a second report detailing the huge numbers of confirmed raptor persecution incidents recorded in Scotland during the last twenty one years. This information clearly shows poisoned raptors continue to be found on many of the estates named. We are informed that members of the Scottish Parliament already have been given copies of this letter, so what ever is published by RP will not make any difference in our opinion.
give the so called lord and lady mucks of these estates as well as there lackies a criminal record, because criminals they are by allowing this to happen. and while we are on this subject, there is another portion of society who kill just as many birds of prey if not more, hawks and falcons being there main victims.pigeon fanciers who think they can do this with immunity, and seem to be getting away with it,using other live birds to trap the raptors, shooting and poisoning.
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info about this subject for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?|What i don’t understood is in reality how you’re now not really a lot more well-preferred than you might be now.
you’re right to draw attention to parallel crimes by the pigeon fancier community, and of course there are other victims of gamekeepers’ crimes besides the raptors… The fish predators, herons and otters figure high on the list. I’ve personally witnessed such illegal kills and I’m glad to say one gamekeeper lost his job over it and got a criminal record to boot.
On the whole I believe we are moving in the right direction towards better conservation but the collection of evidence for wildlife crimes is still sadly inadequate and the number of successful prosecutions relative to the number of reported incidents is still scandalously low.
Found this blog yesterday, very impressed. Wishing you and the work you carry out to expose the illegal killing of all wildlife the very best, please keep it up.
Bit of a joke Mary Coltman from Peebles signing this. Her gamekeeper was recorded taking perigrine chicks from a nest and is well known for killing all birds of prey yet she still employs him.
Years ago I lived on the Strathconon Estate, in Ross-shire as a tenant. The then gamekeeper, a neighbour of mine, befriended me and admitted, and even bragged, on more than one occasion about how he trapped and killed the wildlife – he mentioned birds of prey, their eggs and young, red kites especially, and also, the Scottish wildcat which was occasionally be seen in those parts. He used to go off on his own into the hills for days at a time to carry out his evil and disgusting activities. Don’t think he was ever caught.
Editor’s Comment. Thanks for your comment Josie, we can assure you not much has changed.