Cape Wrath Trail and Deer stalking in October

[Dynamics312]

Hello,

I would like to hike the Cape Wrath Trail in October if Covid19 allows it. What about deer stalking?
Do the restrictions relate primarily to the peaks or do restrictions also have to be applied in the valleys or on the passes?

Greetings from Germany!
Sebastian

[davekeiller]

Cape Wrath itself is a live firing range owned by the Ministry of Defence. I don't think there will be deerstalking in that area, but there may be military exercises. They haven't published details yet, but Exercise Joint Warrior is often in October, and often makes use of Cape Wrath.

[china88]

In a letter published by the Ministry of Defence in October 2019 they confirmed

Joint Warrior dates;

21 September – 15 October 2020

As Dave indicates above its best to make further enquiries to ensure these possible dates don't or do move.

[Scraggygoat]

Joint warrior dates are unlikely to move, large scale multinational joint services training deployment, very hard to reschedule. The Cape Wrath range will be extensively used, and possible that some units may stay on to use the range, as it's the only one of its kind in Europe. So definately worth contacting the range the day before entry and observing the red flags if flown.

As for stalking, generally not conducted on valley through routes, however weather and deer locations on the day may dictate otherwise.

[Kevin29035]

Camusrory Estate (Knoydart) show the CWT route as being free from stalking hassle. (that is around the head of Loch Nevis, up the River Carnach and over the Mam Unndalain to Barisdale.

So more generally, I wonder if estates view the route as being a popular way for walkers, so ignored for stalking.

[Scraggygoat]

While that is certainly a pragmatic approach for estates to take, there are large chunks of the CWT that passes directly through prime stalking areas and terrain, for example Glen Cona, Strath Oykell, benmore forest, Glen Dubh and Glen Coul, these areas were rarely frequented prior to the CWT being branded.

While Im no fan of sporting estate ecological mismanagement and land monopoly constraints on local demographics and economy, CWT hikers will undoubtedly cause issues to some estate staff during the stalk.

[Essan]

Most deer stalking takes place in corries.

There should be no problem with following the usual routes of the CWT in October; but if you do encounter a stalking party it pays to check you'll not be interfering.

However, note that some bothies along the route, including Ben Dronaig and Shenavall are closed annually from mid Sept to mid Oct due to stalking (and, at present all bothies are closed due to covid-19 restrictions)

Dates for Joint Warrior - which sees Cape Wrath itself closed to the public - have been noted above: it's unlikely these will change, although it's possible the Cape will not be closed for the entirety of this period.

[Dynamics312]

Thank's a lot for your answers! Currently there are only firing times for July on the website of the government. When will the exact dates for October be published or do I simply have to check on site whether the red flags are flying?

[davekeiller]

Dates for October will probably be available from late September. Assume that all the dates of Joint Warrior and one week before and after are times when Cape Wrath is out of bounds.