I too had a wonderful day in Glenlyon and similar to you Greville, the wind was not constant at all. In fact the weather we experienced was totally the opposite from what the BBC forcast and at one time, around 11am the sun came out making it very pleasant experience indeed. The colours, when looking down the glen, were magnificent.
Meeting up with Grant the stalker, at the lodge at 0930, stags with hinds could be seen with the naked eye which put the "excitement" factor up a few notches. However, we planned to go further out on the estate by way of the landrover up the track. I have to say walking it would have been easier on the old limbs as it was a real bone shaker of a ride. Leaving the landrover and after having a spy, we set off heading into what little wind there was. We saw plenty of deer, some very nice stags with hinds all of wich were roaring away. Unfortunately, because of the wind situation, out of reach of us.
However, we did not have to wait to long as we came accross a couple of herds each with a shootable stag holding hinds. We spied them for a while whilst Grant took time out for a smoke. Which one should we go for I asked? The answer was given by the sight of a hill walker in his bright yellow waterproof. He stood out so much that even a stalker on planet Mars would have seen him. Unfortunately he moved one of the herds which, as you would expect, started to move others in their path. If only.......
All was not lost however, as a good stag on the face of Meal a Choire Leath together with his hinds, most of which were lying down and settled, gave us the opportunity of a stalk. The climb up was, surprisingly, not to strenuous given that this was my first day on on the hill for a while. Either that, or Grant was being kind to me stopping now and again for a breather and a wee spy.
With eyes like a hawk Grant picked out the ears of a hind in the heather confirming our proximity and from this point we crawled for about thirty yards and up on to a grassy knoll. The excitment was now beyond the X Factor. The stag was chasing a hind about 120 yards out as Grant ushered me forward to take the shot. The Mannlichar was out of the slip, loaded and I eased into a shooting position. As I did so did the stag not at this moment decide to lie down. "Bugger". I thought as all I could now see was the top of his head and a good one too. Sadly the grass was a bit long to ease my way comfortably for a possible neck shot and as I tried one of the hinds twigged me. Then another, and another, and another, resulting in all of them beginning to stand up. I slid the safety catch forward as I knew I would not have long now and as I did the stag stood up and, thankfully, broadside on. "Bang" went the Mannlichar and the .243 reload did the rest hitting him a little behind the shoulder. He ran with his hinds for fifty yards befor keeling over dead. Phew.......... A job well done and the climax of a graet day with a nine pointer on the grass. And I had another day on the morrow.
I helped Grant get the stag down the hill and into the larder followed by a quick cup of coffee before heading off to the Cushiville and a hot bath.
Sadly, day two was not to be as on my arrival at the hotel was a message demanding my immediate return to Aberdeen. The Memsahib had become seriously ill and was taken to hospital.
Fortunately all is well at home now with the Memsahab making a full recovery. Next year, God willing, I may come accross the stag I should have got on day two. Good luck to him.
One wonderful day in Glenlyon
Donsider.