Deer forest
Encyclopedia
The deer forest is an institution and phenomenon peculiar to the Highlands
of Scotland
. It denotes a sporting estate which is kept and managed largely or solely for the purposes of maintaining a resident population of red deer
for sporting (deer stalking
) purposes.
Typically, deer forests are in hilly and mountainous areas of the Highlands and Islands
; and, despite the use of the term "forest" they are almost all devoid of trees. They usually extend to 10,000 acres (40 km²) and more, and deer which live there belong to the small-bodied, hill-dwelling race of red deer typical of northern Scotland, which have adapted to life on open hills after the loss of woodland habitat.
Most deer forests are not fenced or enclosed in any way, and the deer can move freely across large tracts of hill country. Boundaries, referred to as marches, are usually marked by a river, stream, ridge, shoreline or similar natural feature. Hind forests and stag forests are so called because of the tendencies of red deer to form large, single-sex herds outside the autumn rutting time
, and most forests hold either a resident stag herd or a hind herd for much of the year.
In deer forest, the term forest is derived from the ancient and medieval use of the Latin
word foris - "open" or "waste", to denote an extensive outdoor "waste area" kept as a hunting preserve.
Scotland's deer forests are almost all privately owned and managed, although a few once-distinguished forests such as Torridon
and Glenfeshie have moved into semi-public ownership via bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland
, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
and the Ministry of Defence
, and sporting deer stalking is no longer carried on there.
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It denotes a sporting estate which is kept and managed largely or solely for the purposes of maintaining a resident population of red deer
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
for sporting (deer stalking
Deer stalking
Deer stalking is a British term for the stealthy pursuit of deer for sporting purposes, historically with dogs such as Scottish Deerhounds, or in modern times typically with a high powered rifle fitted with a telescopic sight to hunt them....
) purposes.
Typically, deer forests are in hilly and mountainous areas of the Highlands and Islands
Highlands and Islands
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are broadly the Scottish Highlands plus Orkney, Shetland and the Hebrides.The Highlands and Islands are sometimes defined as the area to which the Crofters' Act of 1886 applied...
; and, despite the use of the term "forest" they are almost all devoid of trees. They usually extend to 10,000 acres (40 km²) and more, and deer which live there belong to the small-bodied, hill-dwelling race of red deer typical of northern Scotland, which have adapted to life on open hills after the loss of woodland habitat.
Most deer forests are not fenced or enclosed in any way, and the deer can move freely across large tracts of hill country. Boundaries, referred to as marches, are usually marked by a river, stream, ridge, shoreline or similar natural feature. Hind forests and stag forests are so called because of the tendencies of red deer to form large, single-sex herds outside the autumn rutting time
RUT
RUT may refer to:* Rol Único Tributario, the Chilean taxation unique contributor roll identification number* Rutland Railway, a former railroad in the northeastern United States...
, and most forests hold either a resident stag herd or a hind herd for much of the year.
In deer forest, the term forest is derived from the ancient and medieval use of the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word foris - "open" or "waste", to denote an extensive outdoor "waste area" kept as a hunting preserve.
Scotland's deer forests are almost all privately owned and managed, although a few once-distinguished forests such as Torridon
Torridon
Torridon is a small village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. However the name is also applied to the area surrounding the village, particularly the Torridon Hills, mountains to the north of Glen Torridon. It lies on the shore of Loch Torridon.Torridon is on the west coast of Scotland, ...
and Glenfeshie have moved into semi-public ownership via bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
and the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
, and sporting deer stalking is no longer carried on there.