Following on from the success of the 2025 Pie and Pint nights designed for upland land managers, GWCT Scotland Advisory is offering another series of free evening events in February 2026, focused on lowland game management.
The aim is to inform practitioners of regulatory changes and bring attendees up to speed with GWCT’s research and advisory service, which is working to help deliver a sustainable future for traditional Scottish land management.
GWCT Scotland advisor Dr Felix Meister, who is running the events, said: “Public focus has shifted noticeably from the uplands to the lowlands. The upcoming Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill has considerable implications for roe deer control in fragmented farmed landscapes and Stage 2 debates of the Bill made repeated reference to gamebird releasing. Though proposed amendments to regulate releases have been withdrawn, England and Wales have shown that public scrutiny is likely to increase.”
Each event will provide a clear overview of the policy landscape affecting lowland land management and what this could mean in practice. It will introduce GWCT’s gamebird releasing research programme and show how the findings can be used to protect the future of gamebird releasing in Scotland. Felix will also explain what practical support is available to farms and shoots, and outline new technology that helps land managers record activity and demonstrate responsible, best-practice management.
Felix continued: “In the uplands, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 evolved from a potential disaster for grouse moor management into a workable piece of legislation. This was possible in part because upland estates had been proactive for years gathering crucial evidence. The same opportunity now exists in the lowlands.”
While the core themes will be consistent, each event will also include region-specific content. In Aberdeenshire, for example, there will be updates from the GWCT Fisheries research team, and the event at Strathspey will explain how the Saving Wildcats project is finding practical ways to manage potential conflicts between wildcat reintroductions and released gamebird management.
Dr Nick Hesford, Director of GWCT Scotland said: “With increasing political and public scrutiny, farms and shoots must act now to help build the sound, Scotland-specific evidence needed to inform future policy. By working with the GWCT through targeted research, data collection, and independent assessment, land managers can help address key evidence gaps and ensure that decisions are guided by robust science. This proactive approach is essential to refining best practice and safeguarding a sustainable future for lowland shooting. I would therefore encourage land managers to take advantage of these free sessions.”
The Pie and Pie nights will kick off at 7pm and run on the following dates and locations in February:
- Tuesday 17: Dumfriesshire (DG3 4AQ)
- Wednesday 18: Scottish Borders (TD7 5EB)
- Thursday 19: Fife (KY10 2RE)
- Wednesday 25: Angus (DD8 1RJ)
- Thursday 26: Aberdeenshire (AB54 7NL)
- Friday 27: Strathspey (PH21 1LR)
To book, please visit the event website or call 0131 202 7670