Moorland groups donate festive fare for needy Highlanders
Gamekeepers from Speyside Moorland Group and Tomatin Moorland Group are distributing 180 ready meals and fresh produce to the homeless and local families who have found times hard this year, in and around the Highland capital.
The moorland groups have joined forces with Simpson’s Game and Platform 1864 restaurant in Tain to create fresh and frozen casseroles, made with pheasant and partridge from estates in the Tomatin and Speyside Moorland Groups.
The donation is part of the award-winning Game For Giving initiative, which was originally set up in 2016 and has fed over 2,500 families in Scotland to date.
The moorland groups are also donating 50 packs of pheasant and partridge breasts to the Christmas Hamper Appeal organised by Graham Rooney, owner of Platform 1864.
“The gamekeepers, shepherds, estate staff and their families in the moorland groups have been collaborating with local charities for some time,” said Lianne MacLennan, national co-ordinator of Scotland’s regional moorland groups.
“It is not solely a Christmas initiative but there are particular requirements at this time of the year and the members have been delighted to get involved to help.
“It is great to see good quality local game being tasted by more people as it is a healthy free-range product that not enough people get the chance to enjoy.
“Working like this helps everyone. Our group members are pleased to see the game being appreciated by people and to support vital homeless, family and community causes at this time of year. Simpson’s Game and Graham Rooney and his team at Platform 1864 have done an amazing job preparing these delicious ready meals for the north leg of the project.
“Graham also runs his own Christmas Hamper appeal, which we also donate to and the fact that he can help us shows not only what Christmas spirit is about but how small rural communities really can come together and support each other. Especially after this incredibly difficult year.”
The recipients are local vulnerable people, families and the homeless as well as residents in care homes.
In other parts of Scotland Game for Giving has organised community lunches using fresh, sustainable game direct from estates with the help of local game dealers and butchers.
The Angus Glens Moorland Group has donated to a community centre in Dundee this year feeding 80 people so far this year. Tayside and Central Scotland Moorland Group has donated to a local charity in Perth, feeding 250 people so far.
