STORM-STRUCK country sports businesses have been left facing financial losses and years of clean up work – but as yet no offer of emergency help from the government.

A Scotland-wide survey of over 50 rural businesses reported average losses of more than £12,000 due to shoot cancellations and infrastructure damage caused by windblown trees, but some businesses losses have been much higher, and others have warned that going out of business altogether might be a better option than shouldering clean up costs.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation and Country Sport Scotland have this week written to the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, to request an urgent meeting to explore possible support measures for hard-hit country sport tourism businesses.

READ MORE: Storm Arwen: Mairi McAllan warns Scotland's forests will take 'centuries' to recover

They point out that their sector contributes £200 million to Scotland’s rural economy and sustains 8800 full-time jobs by providing game shooting and deer stalking to domestic and international tourists.

Calvert McKibbin, who owns a country sports tourism business in Aberdeenshire, said: “I have never seen devastation of the type caused by these storms. The windblown tree damage is absolutely catastrophic.

“I have lost nearly half of my pheasant drives, which has fundamentally changed the way my business operates. It is going to take at least five years of cleaning up before we have any semblance of normality.

“It beggars belief that the Scottish Government has not acted more swiftly to get support out the door," said Mr McKibbin. "Most businesses I know have endured thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of damage to key infrastructure. It really is unprecedented, and yet there does not seem to be any support available.

“Businesses like mine contribute extensively to the rural economy. It is high time that the government recognised this and gave us the support we need.”

BASC Scotland director, Dr Colin Shedden, said: “The devastating impacts of these storms come at the worst possible time for rural businesses, who are only just starting to recover from the economic losses caused by Covid-19.

“These businesses are very important to Scotland’s rural economy, often sustaining the most fragile, isolated communities. We are extremely concerned about the number of shoots that have already reported that they will be shutting shop as a consequence of the storm damage.

“The Scottish Government needs to step up its support for rural businesses in the aftermath of extreme weather. Severe storms are only going to increase in frequency and regularity – it is vitally important that funding is made available swiftly following these devastating events.”

CSS chairman, Dr Simon Wright, added: “Country sports tourism businesses are on the frontline of the increasingly severe weather brought about by climate change.

“It is vitally important for all land-based businesses to have support mechanisms available that will enable them to recover quickly and decisively from storm damage. The Scottish Government needs to recognise how devastating the implications can be, as outlined in our survey.

“We stand ready to support any efforts that will better protect the invaluable contribution of country sports and offset the growing implications of climate change on the Scottish countryside.”