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But with the fires destroying much of the vegetation in the area, Mr Fisher fears the red grouse will move out of the area, if the heather does not return.

But the new licensing scheme for land which is used for red grouse shoots is seen as an important deterrent.

If passed by MSPs, a license would be required to kill red grouse and inspectors would be given increased powers to investigate suspected wildlife crime.

Birds like the meadow pipit and skylark use the heather for nesting, and it is also a source of food for the red grouse.

To maintain the artificially high numbers of red grouse, heather is burned and wet areas drained to encourage the growth of mixed species of plants for the birds to eat.