Phone helps stalkers and walkers

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Hillwalkers in Scotland are being encouraged to use an electronic system designed to avoid conflict with deer and stag stalkers.

The hillphones telephone message system and website provide information about the location of stalkers, enabling walkers to safely plan their routes.

The service, which has been running since 1996, covers 13 areas around Scotland, including 87 Munros.

It received an estimated 2,650 calls during the stalking season last year.

Fiona Cuninghame, hillphones coordinator for Scottish Natural Heritage, said: "Most hillwalkers do not want to disrupt deer stalking as they appreciate it is an important part of the rural economy and most carry mobiles phones as part of their safety kit.

"The scheme is a great example of information sharing technology and enables two very different activities to be successfully carried out on Scotland's hills."

Leaflets with the relevant telephone numbers and stalking dates have been distributed to tourist information centres, outdoor shops, activity centres, hotels and B&Bs.

The deer stalking season runs from July until October.