Gamekeepers accuse anti-grouse moor group of 'smear' campaign over heather burning footage

Gamekeepers have accused a group lobbying ministers to overhaul the management of Scotland's grouse moors of a "smear" campaign after it called for a ban on burning heather moorland.

Revive, which consists of five Left-wing and animal welfare groups, released "extremely disturbing" video footage of "vast swathes of heather upland on fire with flames and smoke billowing for miles."

But the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said the film merely showed "well managed, legal muirburn" and accused Revive of "another orchestrated attempt by a group desperately seeking legitimacy to smear legal management activity."

It said the centuries-old practice has been proven to have many ecological benefits and claimed the group's real agenda is to ban grouse shooting "and to put rural working families on the dole."

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents landowners, pointed out that muirburn is "strictly regulated" and the benefits are recognised by Scottish ministers and their agencies.

They said the amount of smoke from small fires "can be deceptive" and the public should not be alarmed. Scottish ministers confirmed they were unaware of any recent cases of the muirburn code being broken.

A Scottish Government commission examining grouse moor management, including the introduction of a licensing system, is due to report back shortly.

Revive, which includes the League Against Cruel Sports, is pressurising Scottish ministers over traditional practices such as burning heather and culling predators, claiming they are causing huge environmental damage.

Although it denies wanting an outright ban on grouse moors, Max Wiszniewski, its campaign manager, has said the industry may not "survive" the "necessary" reforms.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), a government agency, states on its website that muirburn provides grouse with " short fresh growth and longer heather nearby in which to shelter."

It also states that "variation in vegetation structure also suits deer and livestock", while "birds, insects and reptiles, can also benefit from appropriate, well-managed muirburn."

Revive said its footage in the Cairngorms shows moorland with a high peat density "quite literally on fire" and this was "all for the single purpose of protecting grouse which will subsequently be shot for entertainment."

Mr Wiszniewski said: "I’m sure the public will be shocked to see the damage which is deliberately inflicted on our uplands to create a habitat suitable for one species to the detriment of our environment and wildlife.”

But an SGA spokesman said: “Last week this group made unsubstantiated claims about numbers of missing raptors. This week it is an attempt to manufacture an emotive message out of legal moorland habitat management.

“Their ultimate aim is to ban grouse shooting and to put rural working families on the dole so we are not surprised at all by the extreme tactics. Their films simply show well managed, legal muirburn."

Tim Baynes, of Scottish Land & Estates, said: "Muirburn is the traditional way to manage moorland and has been practised for centuries, resulting in the Scotland’s renowned purple heather landscape.

"The mosaic habitat resulting from muirburn has also given us an extraordinary suite of rare birds and mammals which is the envy of other countries. Carrying out muirburn is vital for upland biodiversity."

In a direct challenge to Revive, he added: "It is important that when muirburn is called into question that there is clarity over the exact circumstances, rather than simply saying that fire on a hill is wrong and should be stopped."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "While we are not aware of any recent instances of the code not being complied with, anyone concerned about a potential breach should contact the police."