Stalking in the Hebrides

[Cranborne]

My 60th birthday is not too far away, and I hope to celebrate by visiting several islands in the Hebrides for stag stalking during the rut next year. This will likely be just me, my wife and a couple of labradors, so estates offering lodge accommodation for large parties won't be suitable. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[jwoolland1]

I'm a long-time lover of the Isle of Mull and make a point of heading up twice a year. My visits are usually focused on hinds, though I've gone up for stags on occasion as well. Mull has several excellent estates, but I’ve built a relationship with the Corbetts, who own Lochbuie on the island’s south-western edge. Just beside the estate sits a charming bothy-style bungalow called Riverside, where I often stay. It’s not part of the estate itself, but the owners are easy to contact and always accommodating when it comes to booking. Mull’s tight-knit nature means everyone knows everyone—makes logistics very straightforward.

 

[lochty]

@caorach ? Or Ben More estate in Mull.

 

[foxinmad]

I'm a long-time lover of the Isle of Mull and make a point of heading up twice a year. My visits are usually focused on hinds, though I've gone up for stags on occasion as well. Mull has several excellent estates, but I’ve built a relationship with the Corbetts, who own Lochbuie on the island’s south-western edge. Just beside the estate sits a charming bothy-style bungalow called Riverside, where I often stay. It’s not part of the estate itself, but the owners are easy to contact and always accommodating when it comes to booking. Mull’s tight-knit nature means everyone knows everyone—makes logistics very straightforward.

Beautiful place Mull, I stalked there in October 2015, crikey nearly 10 years ago now.
Loved it and said I would go back, ahh mibi next year.

 

[Quixote]

I had a week at hinds at Langass Lodge on North Uist a few years ago. Utterly superb! I think they still only offer shooting by the week though

 

[Heym SR20]

We stayed on the Aline Estate that is on the Border with Lewis abd Harris last July early August. The headstalker is a good lad. Had a good few days pottering about the rivers and lochs. They look to have some pretty spectacular stalking combined with walked up snipe / grouse and wild fowl and the prices affordable.

The outer islands are definitely a place well away. The ferry across is voyage in its own right. You will see whales, dolphins and lots of birdlife on the way across.

Sporting Opportunities — Aline Estate

Stalking, fishing and shooting grouse, woodcock, snipe and duck is on offer during your stay at Aline Estate. The terrain makes for a challenging but rewarding day out on the hill looking for deer.

www.aline-estate.co.uk

 

[caorach]

There are probably two "big" answers to your question one being Amhuinnsuidhe on Harris and the other being Eishken on Lewis.

There have been some previous reports on this forum of stalking on both:

Thread 'MacNab Attempt - Isle of Harris'

Sep 18, 2017

So a few folk might remember this thread from a while back: Good, inexpensive red stag - another fantastic offer for charity

Caorach was good enough to draw my attention to the auction and I was lucky enough to bid for and win the MacNab opportunity on the Amhuinnsuidhe Estate on the Isle of Harris (a salmon on the fly, a brace of grouse and a stag all in the same day). I'm just back and here's my write-up. Apologies in advance - it's a long one! But I've tried to insert a few photos to break it up and make it a bit more enjoyable to read. Grab a brew (or a glass of malt) and...

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• Replies: 29
• Forum: Write Ups

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A little Lewis trip with stalking, salmon and bogs.

Amhuinnsuidhe is relatively accessible compared to Eishken and so it may well be possible to get a day there whereas that is unlikely with Eishken.

Hamanavay estate on Lewis is also spectacular stalking but is hard going and there is no mechanical extraction so you might walk big miles and have to drag the deer out afterwards. On the Lewis/Harris estates you need to be fit - if you want driving up to deer that have been fed at the side of the road and getting a shot after a difficult 50 yard crawl then it isn't the place for you.

If you might be interested in a MacNab or want "easier" stalking in terms of physical effort then Garynahine estate on Lewis offers what I believe to be the best chance of a successful MacNab and they can offer stalking on much easier ground with an argo to extract the deer etc. The keeper is excellent and can usually get guests a salmon and that is always the hard part plus he is extremely motivated to see success from his guests and that can make a big difference.

 

[Freeforester]

Islay: Ardtalla, Dunlossit, Islay Estate, Jura and Ardfin just over the water.

 

[RTreble]

My 60th birthday is not too far away, and I hope to celebrate by visiting several islands in the Hebrides for stag stalking during the rut next year. This will likely be just me, my wife and a couple of labradors, so estates offering lodge accommodation for large parties won't be suitable. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Ive got a contact for North Uist accommodation. The stags roam the hills behind.

 

[NickJ]

I'm a long-time lover of the Isle of Mull and make a point of heading up twice a year. My visits are usually focused on hinds, though I've gone up for stags on occasion as well. Mull has several excellent estates, but I’ve built a relationship with the Corbetts, who own Lochbuie on the island’s south-western edge. Just beside the estate sits a charming bothy-style bungalow called Riverside, where I often stay. It’s not part of the estate itself, but the owners are easy to contact and always accommodating when it comes to booking. Mull’s tight-knit nature means everyone knows everyone—makes logistics very straightforward.

+1 for Tom and team at Lochbuie

 

[jwoolland1]

+1 for Tom and team at Lochbuie

Absolutely! I am up there in just over a month

 

[wildfowler.250]

Stalked North uist and it’s is very flat. That might be seen as an advantage to some but does make the stalking a bit easier.

 

[Cranborne]

Thank you for all the replies. I'll start doing some research. My current plan is to visit several islands over the course of three weeks, and to stalk on different estates. I shot my first red stag on Islay in 2006, and have had an affinity with the Hebrides ever since.

 

[Grannysmith]

Islay for me
Wonderful place and very good stalking