NatureScot – formerly Scottish Natural Heritage

The Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) was the Government agency responsible for deer until its merger with Scottish Natural Heritage in 2010.  The predecessor of DCS until the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, the Red Deer Com,mission, established in 1959, was latterly instrumental in the establishment of Deer Management Groups.

SNH, rebranded as NatureScot in August 2020, works closely with ADMG and has close links with and provides advice to DMGs.

The NatureScot wildlife management team carries out a regular programme of mainly aerial deer population counts and also undertakes other deer research and survey work. Under the Wildlife & Natural Environment Scotland Act, NatureScot has statutory powers of intervention and can carry out culling on privately owned land.

Scotland’s Wild Deer – A National Approach
Including 2015–2020 Priorities

2018/19 WDNA Action Plan and report on 2016/17 actions