Schiehallion Sheep: Trust Trounced
Many visitors have expressed their disappointment at seeing the recent fencing of Schiehallion along the northern and western margins of the John Muir Trust’s East Schiehallion Estate, writes Irvine Butterfied.
So, too, have many of the Trust’s own members, and supporters, who are dismayed and confused by the recent turn of events. They now question just what value can be attached to their participation in the preparation of a forward vision for the mountain environment. |
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Hefted Sheep
For their part, local people were, and have continued to be, well disposed to helping “their mountain” through fund raising and participation in the debates at meetings of the Schiehallion Group. They have, despite differences of approach and varying views, sought to arrive at a fair degree of consensus as to what was possible achievable and desirable.
Unfortunately, although negotiations were made to remove sheep with a view to reducing grazing pressures, it being understood that sheep would no longer be on Schiehallion, the situation became confused as some 60-100 remained. It could well be argued that they had been removed from East Schiehallion but their removal to the west end of the hill proved ineffective as, being hefted to the East Schiehallion ground, they continued to return to it.
Embarrassment
Over two years members were engaged in monitoring a situation which sadly proved an embarrassment to all concerned. The conclusion drawn by many, and never refuted, was that the original contract for recompense for removal of the East Schiehallion sheep had not been specific enough, requiring that sheep hefted to East Schiehallion be totally removed from the mountain.
In discussions to help resolve the situation it was made clear that provision of fencing would require complete exclusion from the whole of East Schiehallion ground, and that a partial fencing would merely be got round by the remaining sheep.
Similarly, purchase of the wandering sheep ought to be discounted on the grounds that effectively payment would thereby be made for the removal of the same sheep twice. It was further pointed out that disappearance of sheep might well be a fact of life some five years hence, due to the changes in the agricultural subsidy regime.
Ignored
Sadly all this good advice from people who understand animal husbandry and the associated agricultural provisions seems to have been ignored. One is therefore entitled to ask what purpose such an advisory body can now serve.
Furthermore, recent evaluation of the monitoring transects has indicated that the reduced grazing pressure is already resulting in some regeneration of the mountain vegetation. This suggests that the provision of the fence is now hardly necessary whether the few remaining sheep, hefted to the ground, are present or not.
Indifferent Management
To mountain walkers the fence is seen as a barrier to access and, in the light of recent access legislation, sends out quite the wrong message. As fencing attracts a considerable government grant this too seems to many to be an ill-considered use of public funds, which could have been better directed elsewhere.
Regrettably, those kindly disposed to help “their mountain” are, albeit reluctantly, coming to the conclusion that their efforts have in the end analysis counted for little, and that they are now simply regarded as mere ciphers on the stamp of an indifferently exercised John Muir Trust management.
Irvine Butterfield, Crammond Cottage, Pitcairngreen PH1 3LU
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