Highlands farmers in tractor demo over rewilding of Cairngorms

Farmers and crofters in the Scottish Highlands have staged a tractor demo amid accusations their views have been ignored over the rewilding of Cairngorms National Park, including the recent reintroduction of beavers.

More than 70 members of the newly formed Cairngorms Farmers and Crofters Group converged on the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) headquarters in Grantown-on-Spey, near Aviemore, on Monday night (15 January).

See also: Booming beaver population sparks farmer concerns

Local crofter Ruaridh Ormiston is a member of the 80-strong group, who between them manage about 100,000ha of the national park. 

He said the tractor demo was a “show of concern” about a perceived lack of governance and consultation with grassroots farmers and crofters by the CNPA over the reintroduction of species, including beavers, wildcats and possibly lynx in the future.

Mr Ormiston told Farmers Weekly: “Our main concern is we were promised that our cultural heritage would be protected when the park authority first started engaging with 20 years ago.

“But now we are told that we [farmers and crofters] are no longer a priority.

Watch Mr Ormiston’s Facebook video of the protest and read the rest of the report below.

“Nowadays, it’s all about rewilding, carbon capture and trees, peatland restoration and reintroducing lost species.

“But we all know you cannot eat trees, and I’m afraid, in my opinion, food security and our way of life is more important.”

Mr Ormiston said farmers, crofters and their families are “indigenous natives” and they belong in the park, but it felt almost like the CNPA wants to clear them out and minimise the number of farmers, shepherds and gamekeepers.

“We are not against improving biodiversity, but you have to keep in mind you have got to feed people. Who is going to feed the nation if you turn everything over to rewilding?” he asked.

The group held a meeting on Monday evening in the CNPA boardroom with officers, board members and local councillors.

Mr Ormiston said they received promises that the views of farmers and crofters would be listened to in future.

© Ruaridh Ormiston

Beaver release

In December, beavers returned to the Cairngorms National Park after a 400-year absence.

Two pairs of Eurasian beavers were released on estates in the park after NatureScot approved an application from the CNPA to release up to six beaver families in the upper River Spey catchment.

Under the terms of the licence, up to 15 beaver families could be released in Cairngorms National Park over the next five years.

A CNPA spokesperson said: “The park authority recognises the need to work with farmers to mitigate impacts and we have a robust framework in place.

“We have also established a farmers’ forum and a beaver subgroup is in the process of being established.”