Once rare, the roe deer is now considered by some to be a bit of a pest

What is Scotland’s most dangerous creature? Is it the wasp whose sting can trigger a severe allergic reaction in a tiny minority of people, or the adder, or perhaps the venomous lesser weever fish that lurks in some of our shallow sandy bays? It is a question open for debate but remarkably one of the leading contenders is the roe deer.

The rapid increase in roe deer numbers over the last few decades has made the animal a particular hazard on roads and it is estimated there are as many as 10,000 deer-related motor accidents in Scotland every year, on average causing about 70 human injuries. It is now common to see a roe deer carcass by the side of a road, whereas 30 years ago it would have been relatively unusual.

It is, of course, just an unfortunate consequence of an animal that is thriving in Scotland coming into conflict with man. This is a pity, for the roe deer is a fascinating creature which has adapted well to the varied topography of the Scottish countryside. It is normally regarded as a woodland animal but in some parts of Scotland it has taken to living on moor and other open hill ground, especially during the summer, and in such areas it is not unusual to spot family groups with their lovely foxy red coats feeding amongst the heather and bracken quite some distance from the nearest wood.