Dear – Deer

Today I tried to get near the Oldtown Commercial deer farm. Which is located across the River Dee to the south of PeterCulter in Aberdeen. One cannot drive to the farm as it is closed to public access. Therefore this picture is taken on the west bank of the river looking east whilst standing on Lovers Walk!

There are eight (8) commercial deer farms in and around the City of Aberdeen in Aberdeenshire.

(If you disagree with eating venison or farming it please do not read further).

Europe's deer farming industry started in Scotland.
The initiative came from Sir Kenneth Blaxter at The Rowett Research Institute outside Aberdeen, and in 1969 an experimental deer farm was started at Glensaugh, near Fettercairn to find out if red deer would make an economic alternative to heavily subsidised hill sheep. The deer farm still exists.
The first fully commercial deer farm was started in 1973 in Fife, and today there are around 30 deer farms around Scotland, from Orkney to the Borders, all farming red deer.

Prime farmed venison comes from deer of less than 27 months, this cut-off age being because the meat (especially from males) becomes progressively tougher after that.

Older cull deer are used for manufacturing to ensure the consistent quality of farmed venison. Farmed deer are slaughtered and processed under the more stringent regulations for red meat.

The main difference between farmed deer and other livestock is that it is permissible to shoot deer as they graze in the field, rather than transport them to an abattoir, though a small proportion of Scottish farmed deer do go through a specially designated abattoir. Most farmed venison sold in Scotland has been field-shot.

Scottish farmed venison is sold at farmers markets, through farms shops and specialist urban outlets, including supermarkets and restaurants, and several deer farms offer a direct mail order service.

All the major supermarket chains sell venison although not in all of their stores. Demand is growing and the shortfall is met at present from New Zealand deer farms.