While we have been lambasting the City and the astronomical bonuses paid to executives, the one good thing is at least they’re spending it – in Scotland.
Over the last year many deer stalking estates have seen a 20% rise in business, with two thirds of that business coming from outside Scotland. This year the cost risen has by 5%, and over the last five years it has increased by 21 per cent.
Savills, the firm that manages half-a-million acres of sporting land in Scotland, said that on one estate the price fort a stag had increased to £400. Scotland is famous for stag stalking, but there is growing popularity in hind stalking, which is around half the price. Hind stalking is often let as a day’s activity, making it more attractive as there is no need for accommodation, whereas a stag stalk is usually only let on a weekly basis.
Image: jack_spellingbacon, via Flickr
A day’s stalking can cost around £200 and there is a growing popularity in one-day shoots, where as you can spend up to a week on a stag shoot.
It is still predominantly a male sport, but there are more women getting involved accounting for around 10% of bookings in 2015.
Dram good news
Scotland is seeing a surge in its traditional industries, especially in Scotch whisky. In October 2016 the SWA (Scotch Whisky Association) reported that in the 12 months to June 2016 the value of exports increased by 12% to £4.2 billion from £3.8 billion.
It has also played a major role in the Scottish tourist industry with distillery tours and visitor centres raking in more than £30 million. The USA is still the biggest market for Scotch with exports valued at £304 million, an increase of 13% from £277 million.
A recent EU/India Free Trade Agreement will boost the industry significantly as it will start to reduce the 150% import tariff on spirits, and emerging markets in Central and South America, Asia and Eastern Europe are adding hundreds of millions of pounds in export value.
Weaving a successful year
The resurgence in the popularity of Harris tweed has helped the industry record its best year of production in 15 years.
At one point the industry was in dire straits, but in the last four years around 40 weavers have joined the work force, and over the last decade stars such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kylie Minogue have brought the fabric into the fashionable limelight.
Dr Who’s Matt Smith has helped spark an interest in Harris tweed fashion when a vintage jacket became part of the Time Lord’s look when Smith took-on the role two years ago.
Are there other parts of the UK enjoying a resurgence in traditional industries? Tell us about them in the comments below.
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November 1, 2023
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