Police and council provide wildfowl shooting advice

Orkney Islands Council has reminded wildfowlers that landowners’ permission is required before shooting geese and ducks.

The move follows a number of public queries, asking if access legislation allows people to shoot on land in council, or private, ownership.

OIC planning manager Stuart West said: “Access legislation is clear that it is not possible to exercise the ‘right to roam’ to shoot on land without the express consent of the landowner. The council does not give permission for shooting on land in its ownership, including at Happy Valley and Mull Head local nature reserve.”

Police Chief Inspector Les Donaldson added: “Anyone visiting Orkney to shoot geese or ducks needs to have the necessary permissions in place. Wherever they travel, they need to have the authority to carry firearms granted to them by the relevant Chief Constable.

“They also need to be absolutely sure they have permission from the owners of land they are shooting on, or they may find themselves in breach of the conditions of their gun licence.”