Shooting contributes £340 million in GVA to the Scottish economy every year and supports the equivalent of 5,600 jobs — making it a vital pillar of rural Scotland’s economy and way of life. Yet despite its economic and cultural importance, this longstanding tradition is increasingly coming under political attack from the current Scottish government.
The Scottish Countryside Alliance asked each of the major parties standing for election what their policy is concerning shooting in Scotland. This is what they said:
Tim Eagle, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party spokesperson for Rural Affairs, said:
“Shooting is a vital part of our rural economy. It supports jobs, tourism and local businesses, and those involved have deep knowledge of our landscapes and communities. I and the Scottish Conservative Party strongly support those involved in field sports, and we make it clear in our manifesto, our commitment to you.”
The party’s manifesto further stated:
“We support sporting activities and recognise the value they add to the rural economy and the role they play in land management and conservation. In particular, we would reverse the SNP’s decision to remove shoots and deer forests from the Small Business Bonus Scheme.”
Promote the use of venison: This would be done by supporting producers, identifying issues in processing, supporting the marketing of venison, and facilitating the donation of venison to schools.
Manage our ever-growing deer population: We would ensure that our policies support our land managers and gamekeepers to manage the overpopulation of deer in rural areas and repeal SNP legislation which makes their job harder.
Jim Fairlie, former Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, wrote:
“We will continue to take a balanced approach in areas such as wildlife management and on issues such as muirburn. Through initiatives such as the wildlife forum we will work to build consensus and ensure policy is driven by the latest evidence. Muirburn is a critical upland management tool and we recognise its importance in supporting a mosaic of habitats, enabling grazing and gamekeeping activity and in supporting wildfire mitigation.
As part of the recently passed Natural Environment Act we are committed to supporting and investing in deer control and the wider venison supply chain. An SNP government will deliver a national deer and venison management plan including support for investment in deer larders, skills and local supply chain development.”
The party’s manifesto further stated:
To protect our native woodlands from threats we will support firm deer control incentives, implement a national deer management and venison [sic].
Graham Simpson, former MSP for Central Scotland and constituency candidate for Airdrie, wrote:
"Shooting, including game shooting, wildfowling and deer stalking, is a legitimate, lawful, and productive activity.
When well managed, it delivers habitat management, biodiversity gains, local employment, sustainable food, and investment in remote areas.
Rural Scotland needs policy that matches its commitment with clarity, confidence, and common sense, giving communities, land managers and fieldsports the space to succeed, invest, and plan boldly for generations ahead together.”
Their 2026 Scottish election manifesto further stated:
“To protect rural Scotland, Reform will support rural communities by maintaining traditional country sports”.
Leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar, did respond to our request for comment, however he did not specifically mention shooting or game management in his response. Their manifesto contained one very brief section on deer management:
“Work in partnership to deliver sustainable deer management, continuing incentive pilots and supporting community initiatives to supply venison to local markets.”
The Scottish Green Party has not responded to our request for comment. However, they mentioned shooting in their 2026 Scottish election manifesto, pledging to:
“Introduce a licensing system to control the release of the millions of intensively farmed gamebirds – such as pheasant and red-legged partridge – introduced into the countryside every year, to reduce the spread of avian flu to wild birds.
“Implement strategic management of Scotland’s out-of-control deer population so that the environmental damage of overgrazing is minimised, with new incentives to support land managers who reduce deer numbers on their land.”
Leader of Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, did respond to our request for comment, however he did not specifically mention shooting or game management in his response. Their manifesto contained one very brief section on deer management:
“Working with partners including land managers and environmental organisations to tackle damaging overgrazing by deer, enabling young trees to grow, supporting rural employment and boosting the low-carbon wild venison market.”