Today we publish the second in our tales of harassment from the countryside.

The Walker:

“I have always walked in the hills and countryside. I drive out of the city for the day, park carefully and walk on the hills. I have always been careful to check the hill-phones  and notices to make sure I don’t interfere with shooting or stalking. My father farmed and I am probably more aware then most of the disruption that a walker can cause to lambing or other country operations by their presence. I am extremely careful not to block gates or generally cause problems. I never interfere  with traps or snares as I appreciate that they are a necessary evil.

In areas where driven grouse shooting is prevalent  I have found that I frequently encounter problems. I have found on returning to my car that it has been blocked in and have had to wait for a considerable time (once overnight) before being able to move it. On occasions I have found the car damaged having apparently been hit by a trailer or something similar or with the tyres slashed. All this is expensive and inevitably ruins a days walking so gradually I have been conditioned to avoid the areas around driven grouse moors. Walking is a companionable pastime and speaking to other walkers I have heard similar stories of damage and even of folk being followed and harassed whilst actually on the moors.”