Landowners on the Assynt Peninsula in Sutherland have been given till next spring to show they can shoot sufficient red deer to protect internationally important woodlands.

However Scotland's environmental guardian is making clear it will not hesitate to intervene, if they fail.

At a special meeting of the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Board in Inverness it was to agreed give a final opportunity to the estates, which include land owned by the Assynt Crofters Trust, wild land charity the John Muir Trust and a range of private landowners.

The alternative was to ask Scottish Ministers to impose formal regulation, under Section Eight of the Deer (Scotland) Act. This would have enforced deer culls on the landowners, backed up by a fine if not carried out. In that event SNH would have organised culls. It would have been the first time SNH had sought to use these powers.

SNH says the Ardvar Woodlands, which are birch-dominated woodlands but importantly also contain native oak, is being seriously damaged by high numbers of grazing red deer.

They are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are part of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which means Scotland is required to look after them under both national and European legislation.

Ian Ross, SNH Chairman, said: “These woodlands are set in an area of rich biodiversity and they are an important part of our natural heritage. They form the most northern remnants of native oak woodland in the British Isles and it is in the public interest to ensure that we protect them and allow them to regenerate for future generations.”

He said SNH had been working with the Assynt Peninsula Sub Group, which consists of the 12 landowners, to try and agree a plan to manage the deer population voluntarily. However, after many unsuccessful attempts over several years, SNH had to consider using the Section Eight powers for the first time.

Mr Ross said: “After careful consideration of the group’s proposal, and encouraged by growing engagement recently, our board has decided to allow the group until spring 2017 to manage the deer voluntarily and achieve the results urgently needed to help these special woodlands regenerate. We strongly believe that the collaborative approach achieves the best results. However, if it looks unlikely that this is going to secure the woodlands’ future, we’re prepared to re-engage quickly in formal regulation.”