SIR, – Your article in The Scottish Farmer of May 20, ‘Glen Coe community vote against deer cull’ was misleading in its representation of community consultation and feelings on our deer management approach at Glencoe National Nature Reserve.

At every stage of planning an increased deer cull at the Glencoe National Nature Reserve, we have been transparent and collaborative with the local community in Glen Coe and Glen Etive, maintaining open dialogue with the community council, the local deer management group and meeting with local estates and others.

Throughout this regular and ongoing engagement, we have received support and encouragement from many in the local community, while also responding directly to any concerns raised by stalkers at some neighbouring estates and by some other individuals.

We are open to learning from the ‘survey’ quoted by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and would welcome the opportunity to see the full results and find out about the methodology used to carry out the survey, since they have not been shared openly.

It is also important to assess how representative of local community views it is. We know that some in the community were not informed of the survey and not offered the opportunity to take part.

In addition, we do not feel that survey participants were provided with objective and balanced information before being asked to submit their views – this may have influenced the results.

In response to the claims of the survey introduction, we would also emphasise that the National Trust for Scotland has already made it clear there is no intention to reduce to zero the red deer population at Glencoe National Nature Reserve.

We want to bring deer numbers down to a more healthy, sustainable level but they remain an important component of biodiversity in the Glen, as we explain on our website, at https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/red-deer-in-glencoe.

Caring for a landscape of the scale and importance of Glencoe is a huge national responsibility and one that our conservation charity takes very seriously, working to ensure the community benefits from our work to protect, care for and share this very special place, alongside meeting Scottish Government policy on deer and nature.

Stuart Brooks, Director of conservation and policy, National Trust for Scotland.