The mountain hare (Lepus timidus) is Scotland's only native lagomorph, a relic of the last ice age that has persisted on high ground across the Scottish Highlands, Southern Uplands, and Peak District. It is now a species of conservation concern, with populations showing significant declines in parts of its range.
Mountain hares are adapted to life in cold, upland environments. Their characteristic white winter coat (moulting to brown-grey in summer) provides camouflage in snow. They feed on heather, grasses, sedges, and rushes, sheltering in forms (shallow depressions) in heather and grass. Unlike rabbits, they do not burrow. They are primarily active at dawn and dusk, retreating to cover during the day.
Mountain hare populations have declined significantly on Scottish grouse moors. Organised mass culling by gamekeepers — intended to reduce tick burdens and thus louping ill virus in red grouse — has been identified as a key driver. Some surveys have found local populations reduced by 80-90% through culling. Other factors include: habitat change (loss of diverse heather moorland), climate change (reduced snow cover may increase vulnerability), and tick-borne disease.
In 2021, the Scottish Government provided full legal protection to mountain hares under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, ending unregulated mass culling. Killing mountain hares now requires a licence. This followed decades of campaigning by conservation organisations including the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Wildlife Trust, and RSPB Scotland.
Mass culling caused significant welfare harm: hares were shot, snared, and driven. Poor shot placement caused wounding and prolonged suffering. The scale of culling — estimated at tens of thousands annually on some estates — made welfare standards difficult to enforce. Legal protection removes the primary driver of population decline and the associated welfare harm.
Mountain hare population monitoring is conducted through the BTO/JNCC Breeding Bird Survey transects (winter counts), and dedicated hare surveys by SNH (NatureScot) and NGOs. Camera traps and GPS collaring are used to study habitat use and population dynamics. Citizen science recording through iRecord and BioTrack provides additional distribution data.