Community Consultation Announced for Potential East Loch Lomond Community Venison Larder Pilot

The consultation has now close. We would like to thank everyone who participated and contributed. We will share key findings and next steps in due course.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority has begun a community consultation as part of a wider pilot project to establish a shared venison larder facility that will help support sustainable deer management in the East Loch Lomond area.

Developed in partnership with the East Loch Lomond Land Management Forum, and delivered by Native Woodland Advice, the consultation runs until the 15th March. It aims to explore the feasibility, level of interest, and potential benefits of enhancing larder and chiller facilities for local farmers and smaller estates.

The project’s primary goal is to determine whether access to better-equipped larder facilities can ease barriers to effective deer population management – an increasingly pressing issue in the region. Rising numbers of deer have resulted in damage to farming and forestry crops and local ecosystems, as they can feed on farmland and damage habitats through overgrazing. By providing a dedicated shared larder, the initiative aims to improve deer management efforts, reduce crop damage, and create better access to venison markets, potentially opening up new revenue streams for local communities and land managers.

“The Park Authority recognises the challenges that farmers and managers face in managing the deer population, and we believe this pilot project offers a sustainable, practical solution,” said Victor Clements, lead consultant for the project and founder of Native Woodland Advice. “By providing a shared facility, we can help alleviate the logistical and financial constraints associated with deer management, benefiting both the environment and the local economy.”

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is committed to delivering practical solutions that support sustainable land management, while preserving and enhancing the Park’s unique habitats. This initiative forms part of the Authority’s broader efforts to help local communities protect the area’s natural landscape and biodiversity.

Simon Jones, Director of Environment and Visitor Services at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “East Loch Lomond is one of eight Deer Management Groups we’ve supported across the National Park. Negative impacts caused by deer populations are a major issue in many parts of the National Park, as it is across the country. The effective and sustainable management of deer populations, based on sound ecological and animal welfare principles, is crucial to protecting and restoring nature and landscapes. It also supports land managers in meeting their land management objectives and can open important revenue streams.

“The East Loch Lomond Larder pilot project is an exciting development of this work, and if successful, it could be replicated and shared with communities throughout the National Park and beyond. We very much hope that those in East Loch Lomond who are interested will participate in the consultation, ensuring it truly reflects local needs and offers an effective community solution.”

Anyone local with an interest in the East Loch Lomond area are encouraged to take part in the consultation and share their views on the proposed community larder. Feedback will help shape the project’s design and implementation- guiding its suitability for the local community, subject to funding.

This pilot also aligns with other successful initiatives across Scotland, such as the Cairngorms Connect venison project, which highlights the economic and environmental potential of sustainable deer management. If proved viable, the East Loch Lomond pilot will build on that success, demonstrating how shared facilities can positively impact local farming communities and conservation efforts alike.

How to Participate:

Local residents, land managers, and deer stalkers can contribute to the consultation by contacting:
• Victor Clements – victor@nativewoods.co.uk
• National Park Authority Land Use Team – landmanagement@lochlomond-trossachs.org

The consultation is open until 15th March, after which community feedback will guide the next steps in developing the larder facility, including funding considerations.