The Red Deer migrated to Britain from Europe approximately 11,000 years ago and is the largest land mammal in the UK. It was the Neolithic man who developed agriculture and cleared many forests to make way for fields. As a result there was a decline in the population of Red deer as many became confined to higher ground, particularly in the Highlands.

The adult Red Deer can weigh anything between 90 to 190kg and hinds between 63 and 120kg. Their coats during the summer months are a rich red-brown turning to a brown-grey colour during the darker months of winter. Their favoured habitat in Scotland is woodlands and forests though they are very adaptable and will use open moors and hillsides. The Isle of Mull is a perfect example of this and with each journey taken on the island there are often red deer to be seen from the road.

Their antlers begin to grow in the springtime and are shed each year. The antlers are made of bone and during each spring a covering known as 'velvet' protects this. Antlers can be highly branched and can reach up to 1m in width, they also increase up to 16 points with age.

By August the stags become a little unsettled as their velvet begins to shed from the antlers and their testosterone levels begin to rise thus causing their necks to thicken and a mane to appear. It is at this time that the stags begin to round up their harem in preparation for mating. On the Isle of Mull between the months of end September to November many signs are put up by various landowners warning people of the dangers of being on the hill. Now the elaborate displays of dominance begin where the stags size each other up, strutting roaring and grunting thus causing fights, injuries and even death. As a result, the dominant stag ensures exclusive rights to mating with the hinds. Birth occurs between mid May and mid July.

Red Deer on the Isle of Mull are active 24 hours a day though they tend to use open spaces during dawn and dusk. Their life span is approximately 18 years.

Article © Phil McDermott Photography