Author Archives: Dick Playfair

A venison subsidy is a positive and unifying issue for deer management in Scotland

Tom Turnbull, Chair of the Association of Deer Management Groups; Duncan Orr-Ewing, Convenor, Scottish Environment LINK’s Deer Group; Richard Cooke, Chair, Scottish Venison.  All are members of the Common Ground Forum. Scottish venison is bringing people from all sides of … Continue reading

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Representatives from all across Scotland’s venison sector hear plans for one of our most iconic and sustainable food products

The Scottish Venison Summit took place on Monday 20 November at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre, Perthshire. Under the title Taking Stock the summit attended by around 100 delegates from right across the venison supply chain – stalkers and … Continue reading

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Scottish Venison Summit at Birnam on 20 November 2023

‘Taking Stock’, the Scottish Venison summit, will take place at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre, Birnam, Perthshire from 10.00 to 16.30hrs on Monday 20 November 2023. The event is supported by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG). The … Continue reading

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More venison for the third sector

Scottish Venison and the Country Food Trust agree way forward on Scottish Venison Day 4 September to see more Scottish venison routed to charitable causes Scottish Venison, the body that represents the Scottish venison sector has agreed a ‘supply template’ … Continue reading

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Highland Game secures multi-million pound deal with Aldi UK with latest launch

This summer light up the BBQ and experience Aldi’s NEW Specially Selected Smoky Venison Burger (£2.99, 340g), available from all 104 Aldi Scottish stores from 16 June showcasing venison at great value. Aldi shoppers across the UK are now able … Continue reading

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Scotland’s wild venison sector launches ‘statement of intent’ on greenhouse gas emissions in response to climate emergency

Scotland’s wild venison sector has come together to produce a statement of intent (SOI) committing to research and take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Scottish Government’s call to respond to the climate emergency. The statement … Continue reading

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Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV) engages SAI Global to provide a high-quality assurance service for Scottish venison producers

Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV) has engaged SAI Global to manage the SQWV standards and to provide the next phase of quality assurance service for Scottish venison producers. Scottish Quality Wild Venison Ltd (SQWV) is an independent company that, for … Continue reading

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Good news for Scottish Venison on Scottish Venison Day, 4 September 2021

UK retail venison sales continue to rise Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, welcomes additional funding for venison sector through Scotland Food & Drink Partnership Covid recovery programme Scottish Venison Day falls annually on 4 September, also the launch … Continue reading

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Venison is a homegrown, sustainable and healthy solution to protein shortages says Highland Game

Sector seeks support as Eat Venison Day kicks off Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight on Saturday 4September Highland Game, the UK’s leading wild venison supplier, is calling on retailers, butchers, restaurateurs and consumers to support the sector through a critical … Continue reading

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On Monday 1 March the online campaign to support Scottish Venison goes live

The campaign is a part of the joint, industry and Scottish Government recovery plan for Scotland’s farming, fishing, food and drink sector. The first project to receive funding through this programme it is delivered by SAOS and the Scottish Venison … Continue reading

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Christmas cracker – wild British venison striploin fillets from Highland Game set to fly off Aldi’s shelves for Christmas

Scottish Venison is delighted to hear that Highland Game will be supplying wild British venison striploin fillets into Aldi, fully larder trimmed, and in time for Christmas. For the first time, shoppers across 900 Aldi stores UK wide will be … Continue reading

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Welcome boost for Scottish Venison with funding injection from Scottish Government to help through COVID-19

The Scottish Venison Association can announce that it is receiving £50k funding support from the Scottish Government to help maintain supply chains, raise awareness and increase visibility and purchase of Scottish venison products through a tactical campaign starting in December. … Continue reading

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Willie Deans

Loin of roe deer centered with a barley and forest mushroom risotto, served with Port wine and prunes Continue reading

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Tony Borthwick

Venison pie with thyme and cassis Continue reading

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Tom Lewis – Monachyle Mhor

Seared loin of Monachyle venison on garden salsify, bok choi and Balquhidder chanterelles finished with its own juices Continue reading

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Amy Willcock

Venison steak with horseradish and beetroot relish Continue reading

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David Mutter

Loin of Deeside venison with a pithivier of braised haunch with celeriac purée and cepes Continue reading

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Gary Lee – The Ivy

The Ivy’s saddle of Scottish venison with mashed beetroot and elderberries Continue reading

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Geoffrey Smeddle – The Peat Inn

Roast haunch of venison with spiced Seville oranges Continue reading

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Jacqueline O’Donnell

Loin of wild Highland venison on roast balsamic Arran beetroot Continue reading

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Jeremy Wares

Stalker’s Pie Continue reading

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Keren Tweedie

Venison collops in the pan Continue reading

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Lady Claire Macdonald OBE – Kinloch Lodge

Venison and prune terrine with Cumberland jelly Continue reading

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Lynne Sanders – Bistro Aix

Loin of wild Scottish venison with black pepper sauce – served with red cabbage braised in port, parsnip purée and parsnip crisps Continue reading

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Martin Davies – Doune Knoydart

Smoked venison paté Continue reading

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Michael Smith – Skye Chef

Collops of Highland venison with pearl barley risotto, wild mushroom and Isle of Skye whisky cream sauce Continue reading

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Nichola Fletcher MBE

Venison steaks with Scottish blue cheese Continue reading

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Patrick Bardoulet

Venison casserole with turnip and blackberries Continue reading

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Scott Davies – The Three Chimneys

Loin of Highland venison in onion ash with charred beetroot, salt-baked celeriac and reindeer moss Continue reading

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Sudha Shankar Saha

Pan fried spiced highland venison loin, savoy cabbage and King Edwards’ rustic mash, black cumin seeds red onion compote, achari sauce Continue reading

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Tom Kitchin – The Kitchin

Roast loin of venison with caramelised pears, celeriac purée & chestnuts in pepper sauce Continue reading

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Rannoch Smokery

Smoked venison and peppered pear salad Continue reading

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The Cook School, Scotland

Red wine and venison stew
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Scott Scorer – Ballathie House Hotel

Loin of venison butternut squash fondant, blackberries, venison chorizo casserole Continue reading

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Neil McGown – East Haugh House Hotel

Roast loin fillet of venison with braised red cabbage, parsnip purée with red wine and port sauce Continue reading

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Graeme’s Venison and Haggis En Croute

Winning recipe! Serves 4 Ingredients: 300g (10 oz) haggis 35ml (2 tablesp) whisky 450g (1 lb) venison loin, preferably wild red deer 350g (12 oz) puff pastry (ready-made is fine) 1 egg whisked for eggwash 750g (1 lb 10 oz) … Continue reading

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Daphne’s Carpaccio of Venison

1 1/2 lbs fillet of venison6 fluid oz tawny port5 fluid oz burgundy2 fluid oz virgin olive oil1 1/4 oz sea salt1 oz granulated sugar1 1/2 oz mixed peppercorns1 1/2 oz clovesBunch of fresh dillBunch of chives Trim venison of … Continue reading

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Charles’ Chinese Venison

This recipe is recommended by American friends – they have a deer-hunting ranch in Pennsylvania: 2-3 lbs Venison (I use steaks or roast thinly sliced)6 Tbs soy sauce3 Tbs oyster sauce2-3 garlic cloves chopped1 inch ginger peeled & choppedPut in … Continue reading

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Fiona’s Bordelais Venison Stew

The Auld Alliance: Bordelais venison and wild mushroom stew Serves 6 Ingredients: 40g butter2 red onions450g venison steak25g plain floursalt & pepper1 tablespoon sunflower oil100g smoked streaky bacon200g fresh ceps (porcini mushrooms), or 50g dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in 250ml … Continue reading

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Sarah’s Spiced Venison Casserole

Ingredients 1 lb Onions2 lb Venison (or you can use 1 lb Venison and 1 lb Stewing Steak)1 orange5 oz pitted prunes and apricots4 oz raisins7 fl oz of orange juice, 7 fl oz of dry sherry, 15 fl oz … Continue reading

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Short supply chain from stalker to butcher is the focus for Scottish Venison Day

Scottish Venison Day 4 September will be marked this year by the launch of an initiative to promote the short supply chain from stalker or estate direct to their local butcher or restaurant.  Legislation allows the supply of small quantities … Continue reading

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Highland Game delivers £150,000 investment to combat Corona impact and protect frontline staff

Dundee based food firm, Highland Game, has announced an investment of over £150,000 implementing a set of stringent measures following the outbreak of COVID-19 ensuring safety and security for all employees.  The UK’s largest producer of venison employing over 80 … Continue reading

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Don’t be tempted by illegal venison warns SVA

Following a reported increase in ‘doorstep sales’ and giving away of venison, the Scottish Venison Association has issued the following statement: However well meaning, the giving away or selling of any wild game meat outside of the hunter’s exemption (“to … Continue reading

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Venison supply contract good for jobs, local business and Scotland

Forestry and Land Scotland’s deer management programme was hailed as exemplary when Rural Affairs Minister, Mairi Gougeon, on 3 March 2020 announced a £13 million, five-year venison supply contract between Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and Highland Game Ltd. The … Continue reading

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Highland Game announces new multi-million pound partnerships

Increased demand for lean protein fuelling growth for Scottish venison supplier The award-winning Scottish supplier of wild venison, Highland Game, has secured a new partnership with the UK’s largest recipe box company Gousto and increased distribution with UK wholesale partners … Continue reading

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