Access in the Stalking Season (July - October incl)

The MCofS approach is to promote coexistence between walkers and stalkers. There should be no need for a total ban on access over large areas such as a whole estate, nor a need to avoid going up the hills. It just means you may have to adapt your chosen route. Alternative access should almost always be available to the same destination. Walking up and down hills by following the main ridges, rather than through corries, often helps stalkers. The MCofS's approach has always been one problem-solving and this led to the publication of Heading for the Scottish Hills (HFTSH) book in 1987. The start of August 2010 sees a pilot web-based version of HFTSH and this year is running in parallel with Hillphones. Details of these sources of information are provided below.

We are very keen to receive experiences (good and bad) of HFTSH and Hillphones, especially in this year of the pilot. We strongly encourage you to try HFTSH web service and provide feedback on the site or to the Access & Conservation Officer. The messages should NOT suggest there are huge areas "out of bounds" so please report especially.

What the Scottish Outdoor Access Code Says about Deer Stalking on the Open Hill

Advice to access users - Deer management can take place during many months of the year but the most sensitive time is the stag stalking season (usually from 1 July to 20 October, but with most stalking taking place from August onwards). During this season, you can help to minimise disturbance by taking reasonable steps to find out where stalking is taking place (such as by using the Hillphones service where one is available) and by taking account of advice on alternative routes. Avoid crossing land where stalking is taking place. Stalking does not normally take place on Sundays.

Advice to land managers - Be aware of where recreational use is likely, such as along paths, popular routes and ridge lines. Tell people about where stalking is taking place by using a Hillphones service or by using signs and information boards (in accordance with this Code) to give on-the day information on stalking and alternative routes.

Heading for the Scottish Hills Website (from 1st August 2010)

In 2010 at the same time as Hillphones there is a pilot of a website with the equivalent information. The expected launch date of the website is 1 August 2010 and will be accessed through www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/hftsh . Any feedback would be gratefully received as indications are that the website is likely to replace Hillphones in the long-term and it is important MCofS can represent your views at the advisory group.

Hillphones

For over 10 years the Hillphones scheme has provided an answerphone service with information about stag stalking activities and suggests routes which will minimise disturbance where this is necessary. In 2010 it is operating in 12 popular hill walking areas over the stag stalking season from the 1st of July to the 20th October, and is organised by Scottish Natural Heritage, the MCofS and participating estates. Messages are recorded by the deer managers and are available on special Hillphone numbers. Walkers and climbers phone the relevant Hillphone and plan their day around the information provided on the message. Wherever possible Hillphone messages contain a forecast of stalking activities for the next few days. This is not always possible, particularly in a spell of changeable weather. Details of the scheme are available at www.snh.org.uk/hillphones/.

Heading for the Scottish Hills Book

For the first time in Scotland this gave contact details of the estate stalkers covering most of the popular hills. This allowed access users to contact the estates prior to a visit during the peak stalking time (Stag Stalking - August to October) to obtain information about the location of stalking in order that they could then avoid disrupting a stalk. After 2 reprints "Heading for the Scottish Hills" was becoming too successful. Walkers and climbers were proving that they were only too willing to help. As a result, the number of enquiries taken by some estate staff was becoming too onerous. The most simple solution was to have a recorded message system that could be accessed by many people, without disrupting the lives of estate staff. This was the birth of the Hillphones idea.