Another day on the hill...rifle not always needed.

It's Thursday and last night the Castle was filled with ten 'clients' from around the world. A sporting syndicate formed through business and its associated trappings. They are dropped on the front lawn by helicopter - not a 110 in sight.




This syndicate has taken all three Estates on the Isle and consequently it is all 'hands to the pumps' for the staff - Guides, Ghillies and Stalkers are roped in from about the Isle to help out.

My Stalker is rather too honest (is there such a thing?) and tells me that this is his first time 'guiding'.

I do my very best to put him at ease, and explain that there is absolutely no pressure today. I do not care if I do not shoot a Stag, literally, do not care.
We will (I hope) enjoy each other's company and the fresh air and scenery, that I have travelled so far to experience.

Incidentally, he is the smartest man I have ever seen on the hill. He is a military man and I have twenty years on him. With my body still broken from yesterday's traumas, I may just be in trouble.

We set off for the corner of the Island that is not being 'worked' by the ten-man syndicate.

As we climb higher and higher, we are eventually above the helicopter that is flying those syndicate members to Lord knows where. Whilst my lungs are (again) hurting and my legs are singing, I cannot help but think that it is they who are missing out.


Anyhoo.

The pace is civilised and there are frequent 'pauses' whilst we chew the fat over life's experiences. If there is a better way to spend a day than on the hill with a like-minded chap, then I am yet to learn of it.

As we stop and recce. the ground...



My companion pulls out a beautiful piece of history from his rucksack.




It is a Ross spotting scope and was carried by his Grandfather in WWI.
It is beautiful, and I fall in love with the history and provenance of it.

I beg him for a go of it...



I simply must own one of these pieces of history!

NB
Thanks to both @caberslash and @finnbear270 I now do.

Ironically, whilst I am 'posing' like a diva for the photo - I actually spy a small herd of Red, amongst which there is a 'takable' Stag.

We make a plan.

The only approach is high, narrow and (frankly) dangerous.

We have just enough light to have a crack.

 

[Stalker62]

The angle of this photo simply does not convey how high, and how steep and narrow this ledge was on our approach...



Somehow, I get to the top of this 'track' and position myself to look down onto the deer...





It is all for nought.

I am not sure why, but the deer (as one) suddenly 'up sticks' and leave.

Honesty, I am relieved, notwithstanding I can see the road, I have had my fill of dragging this week.

It has still been a rather lovely day.

As we make our way down off the hill, I thank my Guide and gently remind him that, in future, he no longer has to tell any of his clients, that it is his "First time Guiding".

He was a joy to be with, and he will be fine.

Sometimes it's not all about the deer, it's about the people and it's about the places - and I would not miss it for the world.

 

[kenbro]

It's Thursday and last night the Castle was filled with ten 'clients' from around the world. A sporting syndicate formed through business and its associated trappings. They are dropped on the front lawn by helicopter - not a 110 in sight.

View attachment 336133


This syndicate has taken all three Estates on the Isle and consequently it is all 'hands to the pumps' for the staff - Guides, Ghillies and Stalkers are roped in from about the Isle to help out.

My Stalker is rather too honest (is there such a thing?) and tells me that this is his first time 'guiding'.

I do my very best to put him at ease, and explain that there is absolutely no pressure today. I do not care if I do not shoot a Stag, literally, do not care.
We will (I hope) enjoy each other's company and the fresh air and scenery, that I have travelled so far to experience.

Incidentally, he is the smartest man I have ever seen on the hill. He is a military man and I have twenty years on him. With my body still broken from yesterday's traumas, I may just be in trouble.

We set off for the corner of the Island that is not being 'worked' by the ten-man syndicate.

As we climb higher and higher, we are eventually above the helicopter that is flying those syndicate members to Lord knows where. Whilst my lungs are (again) hurting and my legs are singing, I cannot help but think that it is they who are missing out.


Anyhoo.

The pace is civilised and there are frequent 'pauses' whilst we chew the fat over life's experiences. If there is a better way to spend a day than on the hill with a like-minded chap, then I am yet to learn of it.

As we stop and recce. the ground...

View attachment 336134

My companion pulls out a beautiful piece of history from his rucksack.


View attachment 336135

It is a Ross spotting scope and was carried by his Grandfather in WWI.
It is beautiful, and I fall in love with the history and provenance of it.

I beg him for a go of it...

View attachment 336136

I simply must own one of these pieces of history!

NB
Thanks to both @caberslash and @finnbear270 I now do.

Ironically, whilst I am 'posing' like a diva for the photo - I actually spy a small herd of Red, amongst which there is a 'takable' Stag.

We make a plan.

The only approach is high, narrow and (frankly) dangerous.

We have just enough light to have a crack.

Lovely.
Thanks, Ken.

 

[finnbear270]

Great pics, and thoughtful writing ..... and when on climbs like that it makes you feel alive.

 

[ivorgun2]

Yes there is a haven

 

[Stalker62]

... and when on climbs like that it makes you feel alive.

Ironic really, as on that particular ascent I really felt close to death...

 

[Herb64]

The whole series has been a great read. Many thanks for taking the time to write it up.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Lovely write up which encapsulates beautifully all that's so special about our sport yet is beyond the ken of so many who will simply never understand - they and their ilk are the poorer for it.
From my very first ever day on a Perthshire Glen I was captivated by the experience - indeed I well remember telling the guide that if I never fired a shot I would be utterly content. Many, many, years later the feeling is still the same, long may it last - for all of us.
Cheers S1962.

 

[Smellydog]

Excellent 62 ..
Shall you return back there soon?

 

[William Grant]

This is not meant to sound negative but why is this sporting estate still shooting stags after 20th October?

I do no that the close season is gone for male deer.

 

[Stalker62]

This is not meant to sound negative but why is this sporting estate still shooting stags after 20th October?

I do no (sic) that the close season is gone for male deer.

@Wallace Grant

Notwithstanding the close season (in Scotland) for all male deer was removed from the 21st October 2023 - and that is a whole new discussion right there:-

I shot my stag on the 11th October 2023.
I didn't shoot a stag on the 12th October 2023.

I posted these tales of 'derring do' (for the delectation of the SD forum) on divers days in November of 2023.

I very much hope this puts your mind at rest.

 

[William Grant]

@Wallace Grant

Notwithstanding the close season (in Scotland) for all male deer was removed from the 21st October 2023 - and that is a whole new discussion right there:-

I shot my stag on the 11th October 2023.
I did'nt shoot a stag on the 12th October 2023.

I posted these tales of 'derring do' (for the delectation of the SD forum) on divers days in November of 2023.

I very much hope this puts your mind at rest.

Apologies stalker 1962

 

[Stalker62]

Shall you return back there soon?

Funny thing.

I just tried to ask Mrs S62 that very question, but she seems to be busy filling out some paperwork...

 

[Stalker62]

Shall you return back there soon?

@Smellydog

Well now.

They do say that time is a great healer - and we have only been back a month...

I have just booked a week on Islay - this time on the Hinds, and it is not until January 2025 - but it is booked, it's in the diary and that means it's already real.

Islay is a new (to me) isle; although a pal has been up there regularly for over a decade.

It is (obviously) closer than the Outer Hebrides, and with it being Hinds, a wee bit cheaper.

There are also places to eat and Distilleries to visit, so a wee bit more for one's long suffering partner to be entertained with and I cannot believe she has 'signed off' on it...

 

[Smellydog]

@Smellydog

Well now.

They do say that time is a great healer - and we have only been back a month...

I have just booked a week on Islay - this time on the Hinds, and it is not until January 2025 - but it is booked, it's in the diary and that means it's already real.

Islay is a new (to me) isle; although a pal has been up there regularly for over a decade.

It is (obviously) closer than the Outer Hebrides, and with it being Hinds, a wee bit cheaper.

There are also places to eat and Distilleries to visit, so a wee bit more for one's long suffering partner to be entertained with and I cannot believe she has 'signed off' on it...


View attachment 337060

Just check the dates for me again ol' chap

 

[Stalker62]

Just check the dates for me again ol' chap

Rude...but fair point...

 

[opticron1]

Lovely place to go to, some decent trout fishing in season and (obviously) some decent Whisky tasting.......However, the ferry service can be challenging! Another prime example of Calmac not doing enough serious investment over the years - mind you, our much vaunted "new" ferries may be in operation by then only 5 or 6 (or 7 years) late.
Don't forget to put the right dates in when booking .....ahem.....
Still it'll be a fun trip if you do the Ardrossan-Brodick-Lochranza-Claonaig-Kenacraig-Port Ellen route.....

 

[Stalker62]

Don't forget to put the right dates in when booking .....ahem.....
Still it'll be a fun trip if you do the Ardrossan-Brodick-Lochranza-Claonaig-Kenacraig-Port Ellen route.....

Christ. You shag one sheep...


Have just been on the CalMac site and (obviously) no options that far ahead.

I was hoping to just do Kennacraig-Port Ellen, but let's see how it all pans out.

On the plus side.

Booking stuff so far ahead 'seems' cheaper - 40% deposit now and 60% balance a month prior - breaks it all up a wee bit, so by the time you are actually traveling it 'feels' like the entire trip is all for free.

 

[opticron1]

PS Don't forget that you'll be on the "Winter Timetable" and so times and dates may (and will) change, on the plus side the winter prices are a little cheaper than the "Summer" prices......
Bit of a roundabout route going the A83 route to Kennacraig, due to the potential for the road to have been washed away - again, but a case of swings and roundabouts..... couple of decent places to stay on Arran if you go that way. All sounds grand!

 

[Sol]

This is not meant to sound negative but why is this sporting estate still shooting stags after 20th October?

I do no that the close season is gone for male deer.

Not all estates technically finish up there stag culls by the 20th most aren't offering outright stag stalking however some are offering the small chance for the right animal.

It was a very very wet year in Scotland as well I suspect some people started culling much later than normal given the wetness and warmth.