RIGHT now, the hills of the Scottish Highlands are alive with the sound of roaring red deer as they engage in the ritual autumn rut. A new book called Locked Antlers, illustrated with a striking silhouette depicting two stags going head-to-head, might seem seasonal. But the title is not to be taken literally. It is a metaphor for a culture clash that has simmered across rural Scotland for generations.
For most of his life, Mike Daniels has been embroiled in campaigns around nature conservation and land reform, and found himself at the centre of some key flashpoints in the controversy over how to manage Scotland’s enormous deer population. As a former long-time colleague, I can personally testify to his unassuming, easy-going manner.
