Part 4/8:
One of the most pressing issues today is overgrazing, primarily driven by agriculture and hunting practices. The introduction of sheep farming—particularly after the historical Clearances that forcibly displaced Highland clans—resulted in a significant increase in sheep numbers, leading to severe pressure on remaining woodlands. This trend has continued into modern times, with sheep and deer populations thriving while native habitats struggle to regenerate.
The unchecked proliferation of wild deer, boosted by factors such as the eradication of natural predators, has further complicated recovery efforts. Today, deer populations in Scotland are estimated to exceed one million, exacerbating the pressure on the fragile Caledonian ecosystems.