Three hundred fifty thousand deer?????? In Scotland?

OMG, that's not wildlife, that's a bloody traffic jam. No, that's an environmental and faunal nightmare. That's *ridiculous* overpopulation. Well, it's because they have no predators, but humans. I had no idea.

I hope that venison is readily available in the butcher shops, there's more deer in Scotland than cattle for God's sake. The Government should hand out deer stalking permits for free. Sheesh.

The problem with that many deer is that they'll eat **Everything** which is what you all are getting at with deer fencing and so on. They will clean out the low scrub in the forests, as well. Oh that is a monstrous problem, not just for the gardeners but for all the rest of the environment as well.

Pine Marten are a common sight? I will briefly tell you a story. My only close-up encounter with a Marten was about 8-9 years ago. Joan and I were backpacking, and had camped at a lake about 3 miles into the Emigrant Wilderness. This valley is about 12 miles from the closest highway, but the lake gets a lot of foot traffic, day hikers and a LOT of horse packers. We'd gotten a late start so we stopped there. That evening, Joan was sitting on a rock looking over the lake, quietly munching on a plastic bag of nuts and granola. She was hardly moving. I was about 15 feet behind her reading a book.'

A Pine Marten came up, and sniffed at her. I looked up and saw him when he was about ten feet away from Joan. She spotted him a moment later. We both sat absolutely still. The Marten slowly came up until he sniffed at the plastic bag. Joan could have easily reached out and touched him, he was only 18 inches away.

Now that's a bit TOO close, so she made a little move and the Marten bolted for cover. But I will never forget seeing that animal, what a beautiful, amazing little creature.

And you see them "regularly"?????

OK, I am coming to Scotland and going hiking in the Central Highlands. Midges be damned.