Scotland’s moorland groups joined forces in an effort to bring hot dinners to those in need across the country this festive season.

First established in 2016, this year’s Game for Giving initiative is bigger than ever, with 1000 meals using Scottish game, such as pheasant and partridge, delivered to homeless and vulnerable people in time for Christmas, throughout Angus, Grampian, Strathdearn and Speyside. In the New Year, the initiative will continue and the total number of charitable food deliveries through the scheme will be over 3000 by the end of February.

Amongst those receiving food were those affected by Storm Arwen, with 200 residents of Aberdeenshire Council’s Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside Ward, who lost freezer food during the lengthy power cuts, being helped via donations of venison and other game by three Upper Deeside estates.

Head keeper at Finzean Estate, Hedge Shand, alongside his wife Mel, is one of the hundreds of gamekeepers across Scotland who is playing a part in the Game for Giving 2021 programme. He said: “We are delighted to be part of this initiative which helps to turn our surplus game into healthy delicious dinners. It was wonderful to visit some of our more senior community members who were both grateful and enthusiastic to see a friendly face as well as receive a tasty game dinner.”

Before the start of the pandemic, community lunches were cooked for community support groups and care homes, in conjunction with additional donations from Tesco. This year pheasant and partridge casseroles and game pies were ready for delivery the week before Christmas, with invaluable assistance from butcher HM Sheridan of Ballater, the Panmure Arms in Edzell and the Loch Ericht Hotel.

Recipients included the Brechin Soup Initiative, Brechin Community Pantry, Ballater Hardship Group, Silver Circle, Badenoch & Strathspey community transport, Aviemore Food Share, Caberfeidh Horizons in Kingussie, Cafe 1668 in Inverness (who feed vulnerable people three times per week) as well as those in need in Tomatin, Kingussie, Grantown, Banchory and Inverness.

Councillor Geva Blackett said: "Working with the moorland keepers' Game For Giving initiative has meant Christmas has been saved for over 170 people in my Ward. People who lost all their freezer food in the power cuts following Storm Arwen and for whom Christmas was meant to be the light at the end of a very tough year. For many, just knowing people care is a huge relief and the local gamekeepers have shown that they are very much part of the caring community and I thank them for their help from the bottom of my heart."

National Coordinator for Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, Lianne MacLennan, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have such sustainable and healthy produce right on our door step. The added bonus is having talented and skilled butchers, such as HM Sheridan, and chefs within our communities to assist us in delivering the game from estate to plate, in such an easy and tasty way. Helping those within the community is incredibly rewarding, so to see this initiative being rolled out across all regions this year is pretty special.”