- A well-known deer was euthanized after relying on tourists for food.
They are an iconic feature of the Highlands and a favorite with tourists.
But now tourists have been blamed for an invasion of deer that have taken up residence in a Scottish village, by encouraging the animals and treating them “like pets”.
In the past, deer have terrorized Lochinver residents and damaged gardens.
Now a group of half a dozen red deer have even been photographed surrounding cars in the town of Sutherland, which is a popular stop on the NC500.
In June, a Highland deer known as Callum the Stag was euthanized over concerns about its health after becoming dependent on food given to it by tourists.
The deer was well known to visitors to the Beinn Eighe car park in Torridon, and would often approach visitors while they were taking photographs.
Tourists have been blamed for the establishment of a deer base in the Scotts village of Lochinver (pictured)
Visitors had been feeding it the wrong foods, causing the deer to lose its teeth and be unable to forage.
In 2020, tourists were warned not to give Glen Coe whiskey to a friendly deer after claims the animals were getting drunk.
Now deer have settled in Lochinver, attracted by tourist food.
Local Highland councilor Hugh Morrison said: “This has been a long-standing problem, caused largely by tourists feeding the animals.”
‘It is easy prey for deer and encourages them to go to the center of town, but once the tourists have left, it is the locals who have to take care of the damage. I would call on visitors to think more about the consequences of their actions for the people who live there. You can’t treat them like pets: they’re wild animals.’
His comments were echoed by Simon Jeffreys of the Assynt Foundation, which organized a community purchase of the 44,000-acre Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates from the Vestey family of meat barons in 2005.
‘People feed the deer and that brings them to town. “It is difficult to stop them, but the problem has been greatly reduced thanks to an ongoing culling program,” he said.
Assynt Community Council previously demanded urgent action be taken following problems in Lochinver.
Described by the local Highland council as a “long-standing problem”, visitors have been urged not to treat the deer as if they were pets, as locals are the ones who “pick up the damage” (in the photo: deer in Lochinver).
Cars have been damaged and gardens destroyed in the past, and there are reports that the animals have become increasingly aggressive.
Attempts to keep deer out with special fencing have not been entirely successful and have proven to be a costly exercise.
Once the deer enter the village, they are often unable to leave again, which has led them to become overly familiar with the human population.
But many locals say they have been chased by deer and there is growing concern about the risk of contracting Lyme disease from ticks carried by the animals.
The West Sutherland Deer Management Group previously offered its expertise in finding a solution, later stating: “Lochinver needs as many attractions as possible and deer are a major tourist attraction.”