New Look Scottish Venison Website Launches on Scottish Venison Day

Scottish Venison Day is celebrated every year on 4 September, and this year promises to be special, as trade organisation Scottish Venison officially launches its new website www.scottish-venison.com on that date.

Richard Cooke, Chair of Scottish Venison, said: “After almost 20 years it was definitely time for a thorough review and a new look. In addition, we have upgraded and modernised our identity and, behind the scenes, we have merged our representative trade organisation with the SQWV Quality Mark into one new company Scottish Venison Ltd.

“The new website is much more consumer facing with new recipes, hints, tips and the opportunity for the public to subscribe for updates – and it will be the focus of a fresh digital campaign on social media from September to expand the reach, awareness and understanding of our fabulous Scottish product.

 “At the other end of the process we have a target to harvest an additional 50,000 deer yearly going forward – we want to be sure that these go into the food chain legally and safely.”

Scottish Government Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “Venison is a standout example of Scotland’s natural larder: a premium, sustainable red meat that’s low in fat, high in protein, and increasingly in demand both at home and abroad. With the new look website launching on Scottish Venison Day, I hope people use the month-long celebration of Scottish Food & Drink September to look at suppliers in their local area and try out the recipes online.

“The new website and related initiatives will help showcase the sector’s strengths, connect producers with new markets, and raise awareness of venison’s benefits among consumers. The energy and collaboration I’ve seen across the sector gives me great confidence in its future. With the right tools and shared ambition, we can unlock even greater potential for growth, innovation, and pride in Scotland’s world-class food and drink industry.”

Scottish Venison Day falls at the start of Scottish Food & Drink September, a month-long celebration of Scottish produce, and several events and activities coincide with the day itself or around that time:

• Official launch on 25 August of Forest Field and Glen’s new venison processing facility at Benderloch, Argyll supported though the Covid recovery fund – more information here.
• Applications invited for round 2 of a special grant for low ground deer stalkers to apply for support to improve their carcass handling facilities, in turn enabling them to cull more lowland deer and increase throughput, with capital grants for up to 50% of costs available in a joint initiative with NatureScot, Lowland Deer Network Scotland (LDNS) and SAOS (scheme closes on 26 September) – more information here.
• A programme of special offers, a consumer competition and education campaign about venison ('12 posts to Scottish Venison Day') from The Scottish Venison Company.
• Highland Game sponsoring the Worshipful Company of Butchers Court luncheon in London on 5 September – more information here.
• Brakes Scotland's ‘immersive chef training experience’ sponsored by Highland Game on Glenfalloch Estate on 28 August.
• Scottish venison on the menu for 4 September at the Scottish Parliament public and Members’ restaurants, and at other Scottish Government dining rooms and canteens across Scotland.
• Venison dishes being served in selected schools and other Food for Life Award outlets.
• Jahama Highland Estates running an “About Venison” information campaign on their social media accounts and offering 20% discount on venison products in their Fort William shop from 4 – 6 September – more information here.

For more information about Scottish Venison, visit www.scottish-venison.com