[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—One cannot but sympathize with Miss Smith in her wish for freedom for walkers in the Highlands, yet I cannot ignore my own experience, and what I have invariably heard in regard to this matter. Miss Smith mentions certain forests which are, I believe, very extensive, and, if the public keep to the paths across them, no doubt the disturbance is not very serious, and we know that deer do get accustomed to people passing on definite tracts. I cannot, however, believe that trespassers wandering about a moor when grouse driving is in progress will not spoil the sport, or, in the ease of deer, clear a very large extent of ground.
The question of revenue is debatable, though I am con- vinced that, in mast districts, the money obtained by an increase of tourists would come far short of that coming from the rents, &c., paid for sporting rights.
Any opinion of the late Lord Cockburn is worth little.
He was hopelessly unfair, bitter, and rabid against sport of all kinds. I do not defend the methods of Mr. Winans, nor have I ever met anyone who did. There has been, and is, extreme selfishness in certain cases, and that should be condemned.
There is room for both walkers and stalkers, but there must be give and take on both sides. It has, however, to be recognized that indiscriminate intrusion on the moors and forests, at any rate during the season, can only result in the destruction of sport, and thereby prove disastrous to the interests of proprietors, tenants, and many others.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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