Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine Summer 2021

ScotlandInFourSeasons Exploring our connections with Scotland

Summer 2021 £5.95

ISSUE 3

Ben Nevis Summer 1957. Artist Catherine King. From Highlands to Island. The Watermill Gallery. Us & our Dogs.

Gamekeeping & Crofting on Skye. The Cottage Argyll. Upland Deer Management. Summer Fishing. Life on Pait.

Wild Venison Recipe. Travelling Auctioneer. Highland Hiddle, My Outdoors and much more inside....

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Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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Lapwing by Richard MacGregor

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Roe buck by Linda Mellor

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Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Scotland in 4 Seasons Editor's Welcome

Over the months, when out and about, and whilst tethered by lockdown restrictions, I had many converAnd a very warm, summery sations with people, usually in supermarket car parks welcome to our third issue when doing the weekly shopping. A chat with others of Scotland in 4 Seasons helped shrug off the isolation many felt in the scattered Magazine. How times flies! rural communities. I kept a box of magazines in the It felt like only yesterday car, and gave out copies to people I chatted with. It felt when I was putting together good being able to share the magazine and to brighten our launch issue during the the otherwise gloomy days. One elderly gent, a retired snowy winter months. Look gamekeeper, was delighted to receive a copy of the at us now, as we breeze magazine, and said to me, “I may not remember your through summer enjoying face but I won’t forget your kindness.” What a lovely the uplifting, longer days. thing to say.

We did get a shock in May though, with one or two I hope you enjoy the packed pages of our summer substantial coverings of snow but happily the sun and edition, it was so full I was unable to include our feature warmth returned. on Fife and other content. We will do our Fife feature, but not in this issue.

Sunshine has to be the best natural medicine for us, and for Scotland’s flora and fauna. Opening windows to allow With best wishes, for the flow of warm, fresh air brings pleasing summery Linda themes into our spaces. The birdsong and the brighter, longer days warm us up, and fill us with the eternal hope Linda Mellor, and an inner glowing sense that anything is possible. We seek out the positives, and incorporate them into our daily Editor, Scotland in Four Seasons Magazine routines, and I am all for it.

News!

Hello!

Positivity influences everything, from our outlook to our health, it can have an impact. We have all weathered a rather challenging time, and it had forced us to stop, consider alternatives and think about life and how we live it.

Scotland in 4 Seasons was created during the pandemic of 2020, and many more people have tapped into their creative flow to sweep changes through their home and working lives. One of them is our talented friend Debbie Anderson from Comrie, Perthshire. Debbie created her inspirational lifestyle brand Be Coorie in 2018, and expanded her business with luxury VW campervan rental and promoted mindful tourism. Debbie is now based in Jersey, and shows us around this beautiful island, fancy a holiday?

See pages 28 -31.

There is a wonderful book available, Sixty Glorious Seasons, The memoirs of Finlay Mackintosh, a Badenoch Stalker 1883-1966, edited and compiled by Richard Sidgwick. It’s a fascinating read about traditional deer stalking and reminder of the reality of working life without the modern tools we have available today. This large, hardbacked book is full of illustrations and photographs, and will not disappoint.

The book is not on general sale yet but copies can be ordered from Peter Mackay on email: strathbogie@btinternet.com or phone 01540 651 745 at £25 plus £3.20 postage.

Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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ScotlandInFourSeasons Editor Linda Mellor Contact Email: editor@scotlandin4seasons.co.uk Tel: 07875 152072 Cover Photograph Linda Mellor Photographers Richard MacGregor, Alan Scott, Linda Mellor.

Collaboration Writers Neil Cunningham Dobson, Debbie Anderson, Sheldon Cameron, Joanne Dovesi, Jade Cruickshank, Scott Mackenzie, Simon Barnes, Wills Kass, Claire Nicolson, Angela Phimister, Alan Scott, Jane Barnes, Catherine King, Georgina Buchan, Harriet Fletcher, Robbie Baird, India Annan, Stewart Robertson, Lois McCulloch, Jason Sweeney, Cara Hutchens, Zanna Wilson, Richard Cooke and Peter Fraser.

Subscribe (see page 82) www.scotlandin4seasons.co.uk Printers Stephens & George Print Group, Glasgow G3 Scotland in Four Seasons publication dates for 2021 On sale date Autumn issue 4, September 15th Winter issue 5, December 10th The views expressed by the collaboration writers are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

Copyright is reserved by the publisher. ISSN 2635-0505

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Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Contents Page 5 Welcome from Editor

By Linda Mellor

Page 38 Wilderness Hotel with Catherine King

Page 68 Weather Reporting

By Neil Dobson

Page 78 Walkies

By Joanne Dovesi

Page 7 Magazine Contents

Page 39 Love Good News with Zanna Wilson

Page 72 Forever Scotland

By Lois McCulloch

Page 79 The Simple Life

By Wills Kass

Page 40 Let’s Chat with Stewart Robertson of Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre

Page 74 Scotland in Focus

By Alan Scott

Page 82 Subscribe to Scotland in 4 Seasons

Page 76 My Outdoors

By Jane Barnes

Page 83 Coming up in our next issue - Autumn

Page 9 Cover story

By Linda Mellor Page 10 Summertime, Ben Nevis, 1957

By Linda Mellor Page 13 Summer in Scotland

By Artist Catherine King Page 18 Eilean Iarmain Paradise on the Isle of Skye Page 19 Travelling Auctioneer

By Sheldon Cameron Page 21 Us & Our Dogs

By Georgina Buchan Page 25 Wildlife Metal Sculptor

By Jason Sweeney Page 27 Gifts for you & yours Editors Choice Page 28 From the Highlands to the island of Jersey

By Debbie Anderson Page 33 Our story - The Cottage Argyll

By Robbie Baird Page 36 Meet Highland Hiddle

By Harriet Fletcher

Page 42 Life on the Remote Pait Estate

By Angela Phimister

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Page 44 Summer on Skye

By Scott MacKenzie Page 47 Creative Countryside

By Jade Cruickshank

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Page 50 Tales from A Skye Croft

By Claire Nicolson Page 53 Summer fishing

By Simon Barnes

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Page 57 Wild Venison Kebabs

By India Annand Page 58 Mr Rod & Mrs Gun

By Cara Hutchens

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Page 60 Upland Deer Management

By Linda Mellor Page 67 Wildlife Estates Scotland Column

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Ben Alder Estate Unforgettable Landscapes Incredible Experiences Corrievarkie Lodge, built in the 1860s, is set in a gloriously and remote location on the southern shores of beautiful Loch Ericht. Calm and solitude are assured for guests staying in this comfortable and welcoming lodge.

Spectacular views can be enjoyed from Corrievarkie over the loch to the rugged slopes of magnificent Ben Alder. This ten bedroomed lodge is the perfect choice for large parties of up to 19 people to relax and unwind.

Ben Alder Estate offers 58,000 acres of extraordinary natural beauty, stretching from the upper reaches of the winding River Spey in Laggan and south to the shores of picturesque Loch Rannoch. It is a vast adventure playground for the sporting enthusiast, a place of tranquillity and relaxation. Our self-catering lodges can accommodate parties of up to 19 people and are perfect bases from which to explore locally.

To book your Ben Alder experience contact our team:

bookings@ben-alder.com

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Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

www.ben-alder.com

Mobile: 07769 313 755

Tel: 01540 672 054

What’s the story behind our Summer front cover?

Our front cover photograph is never planned in advance. Picking an image is an intuitive process, and it is done with a relaxed frame of mind while browsing through the archives as the next edition of the magazine takes shape. A few contenders had made themselves visible, however, this photograph of a Golden Eagle jumped out.

To see a Golden Eagle soar on the thermals high up in the clouds is a mesmerising sight. Their sheer size and the feathery ‘fingers’ at the ends of their wings are a give-away to their identity. Up in the remote hills of the magazine HQ, we are fortunate enough to see both golden and white-tailed eagles on a semi-regular basis.

Golden eagles have been resident in the crags for a long time, and the white-tailed giants just seem to pass through when youngsters leave the nest to fend for themselves. Typically, you hear a screech, you search the skies and spot them through the binoculars but they’re just too high to photograph properly.

Our front cover star is Orla, she has appeared on TV on many occasions and is a resident of the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre (see pages 40 -41 for more information, Centre Owner Stewart Robertson is our ‘Let’s Chat’ guest). I visited the centre a few years ago to meet Stewart and his Birds of Prey, and it was an unforgettable experience. The star was Orla, and her bond with Stewart was like nothing I had ever witnessed before. The size, sheer presence of eighteen year old Orla was incredible. The experience of meeting her was a combination of mystery, wonderment, and mild terror especially when she fixed her eyes on you, yet her connection to Stewart and her calmness whilst on his glove defied everything.

Photos by Linda Mellor

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Summertime, Ben Nevis, 1957 Lambrettas, steel toe-capped boots and Ben Nevis by Linda Mellor

L

awrie Robertson was a young mechanic working in a busy garage in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The County Motors (Kirkcaldy) Ltd, on Junction Road, was popular for car and motorbike sales, repairs, and fuel.

Dysart born and bred Lawrie had left school at 15 to follow his passion to work with engines. In 1954, he commenced work in the County Motors stores before he started his Motor Mechanics Apprenticeship one year later.

In 1957, each weekend, 18-year-old Lawrie drove the garage’s A40 pick-up truck from Fife, over the Firth of Forth on the local ferry, to the motor dealer, Alexanders of Edinburgh, to collect more stock. The County Motors were a Lambretta Agent and three Lambrettas could be loaded on to the back of the A40 pickup. On Saturday mornings, Lawrie, often accompanied by his future wife, Janette (they married in 1960), took the A40 pick-up to the slipway at North Queensferry to board the ferry for the thirty-minute journey across the Forth. The ferry was always busy service, *four ferries used to make over 40,000 crossings each year and carried 1.5million people, 600,00 cars and 200,000 goods vehicles.

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When the Forth Road Bridge was opened in 1964, the ferries stopped running. Boats had transported people across the Firth of Forth for nearly 900 years.

Lambretta scooters were legendary, the brand was the fashion icon of its day, and were ridden by the likes of James Dean and Rock Hudson. The name Lambretta originated from the river Lambro flowing through the district Lambrate, homeland of the scooter. It is also a derivative of Lambrus, which means light (in weight), quick, and nimble. Created in Ferdinando Innocenti’s struggling steel tubing factory in the Lambarte district of Milan in northern Italy, Lambretta rose to fame as the vehicle of choice for the masses after World War II. The motor-scooter was the designer must-have of its time: fun, reliable, affordable, and available in six pastel colours.

Keen to promote Lambretta scooters, Alexanders of Edinburgh organised a publicity ride to the top of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Two riders were selected for the publicity stunt. On Saturday 15th June 1957, two riders, Geoff Parker and Lewis ‘Ludo’ Moore set off. They rode two new Mark 2 Model D 150cc, two-stroke Lambrettas from Alexanders to Fort William.

The 140-mile ride was basically a shake-down run before The first 2,000 ft. were climbed via a narrow goat track full the big event the following day. of rough boulders, Lawrie said, “it was a tough climb for the scooters and the helpers. The rocks and boulders made “I do recall the clear blue skies, sunshine, and the it difficult for the scooter tyres to find any grip and the heat when we set off up the hill that morning.” intense heat challenged the helpers. There were narrow wooden bridges and sections of the track had been On Sunday 16th June, Parker and Moore on their Lamwashed away by rain. By the time we climbed to the loch bretta scooters set off up a rough track to the top of Ben (Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe) about halfway up, some of the Nevis. They were accompanied by a support team of 15 larger members of the group struggled with the hike. They helpers. were hampered by their lack of condition and the extreme Lawrie Robertson was one of the 15 helpers invited to the temperatures. A number of the group were unable to go event. It was a mixed group which included a sales direc- on any further and gave up at the loch.” tor of Lambretta, an advertising agent, and representatives from Avons and Castrol. Lawrie told us, “My Uncle “..and my steel toe cap work boots. They were (County Motors Owner, Captain John Wales) and I, had fine sturdy boots for the rough tracks, but my feet driven up from Fife in his Hillman Husky on the Saturwere raw with blisters.” day and spent the night in a Fort William Hotel. On Sunday morning, we were up early. After a great breakfast It had been a three-hour climb to this point in blistering and armed with a packed lunch of sandwiches prepared heat, the cloudless sky and full sun meant the temperature by the hotel, we drove to the meeting point. We parked had reached more than 80 degrees. Lewis Moore’s scooter up at the foot of the mountain where we met up with the clutch burnt out and he had to give up his attempt to ride rest of the group. After we had posed for photos with the to the top. riders on their Lambretta scooters, we all set off up the Lawrie said, “seven of us carried on, we followed Geoff 4,413 ft mountain about 9 o’clock. My memory may be a Parker’s scooter towards the summit. The heat was so inlittle vague these days, but I do recall the clear blue skies, tense. We did not have any of the fancy outdoors clothing sunshine, and the heat when we started our climb up the and walking footwear you see people wearing these days. hill that morning.”

I was wearing a light shirt, trousers, and my steel toe cap work boots. They were fine sturdy boots for the rough tracks, but my feet were raw with blisters.”

Opposite page: group photo before the climb. Lawrie is in the back row, and his Uncle is far left.

Left: the heat and the rough track full of boulders made it a tough climb for the Lambretta and the helpers.

Below right: A Castrol promotion after the Ben Nevis climb.

All supplied

by Nige Stewart, LCS. Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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“but it was nothing like climbing the mountain as broad shouldered 18-year-old in his prime!”

Lawrie continued, “we helped get Geoff Parker and his scooter over the ravines and he managed to get to the top of the mountain a little before us. It felt great when we reached the snow-covered mountain top and the cooler air. After we had some refreshments and a short rest, we posed for more pictures and got ready for the descent.”

It took them five hours to ascend and two and a half to get back down to their base. During the last 1,000 ft. rocks and boulders had buckled the silencer of Geoff Parker’s Lambretta.

After a quick inspection, the silencer was removed. Once back at the base, Parker’s Lambretta was checked over and found to be in surprisingly good condition with some light damage to the framework.

On 16th June 1957, the temperature was recorded at 85 °C. “We sweltered in the heat from the sun all day. I was not a mountaineer, but I have to say, it was a good climb in steel toe-cap work boots. Since then, I have been back up Ben Nevis on two more occasions.” Sitting in their Dysart home with his wife, Janette, 82-year-old Lawrie laughed, “but it was nothing like climbing the mountain as broad shouldered 18-year-old in his prime!”

Lambretta won the 1957 Ben Nevis Trophy for the first scooter to climb Ben Nevis. Each helper was presented with an engraved lighter as a memento of the event.

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Nige Stewart of the Lambretta Club of Scotland (LCS) told Scotland in 4 Seasons, “the two scooters that attempted the climb are still on the go and belong to members of the LCS. The one ridden by Ludo Moore (which didn't make it) is on the road and is ridden quite regularly all over the UK, the one that did make it, ridden by Geoff Parker, is in bits currently being restored and the last time I seen it (two years ago) it was looking immaculate, but it is proving a challenge sourcing original parts to finish it off.”

We would like to extend our thanks to Nige Stewart from The Lambretta Club of Scotland for his help and use of photographs.

References: 1. undiscoveredscotland.co.uk 2. Lambretta.com

Summer in Scotland

by Catherine King

“The emotional feeling and sense of wellbeing I associate with being outdoors and studying the view is just as strong when I draw or paint in the studio.”

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“

I am so fortunate to live in Scotland. Falkirk may be an unlikely spot for an artist, but I’ve had a purpose-built studio attached to my home for around 20 years. Plus, I’m surrounded by inspiration, living just a twenty-minute train ride away from the galleries of our two major cities, and a quick drive from some amazing places. Whether it’s walking in the Ochils, watching birds in the Forth estuary or taking in the stunning lochs of Perthshire and Loch Lomond, I can be there and back again in time for tea. As much as I love to travel to sensational places such as San Gimignano in Italy, with its rolling fields of sunflowers, I’m never happier than in the wilds of Scotland. Anywhere without pylons or the night-time glow of the big city is a complete joy.

I graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee, in 1982 with a degree in Drawing and Painting. I suspect that like many artists at the time from a respectable, but poor, background, the adults around me didn’t know how anyone could earn a living as an artist. To be honest, neither did I. Having promised my granny that I would teach, I duly enrolled at Jordanhill Teacher Training College. After a very brief spell of secondary teaching, it led me to lecturing part-time in Further Education. In this move, I found the work I love; I have never done anything that I wasn’t passionate about. I like my own company but I’m forever learning what art is through helping young artists develop. It’s enriching, energetic and never a waste of time. Some say “If you can’t do, teach”; but if you can do both art and teaching, you will find it time well spent.

Always determined that I would be an Artist first and a lecturer second, I work mainly in printmaking and painting.

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I’ve had much success in exhibiting yearly in some of the Scottish open submission exhibitions. When taking this step - to move my work into public view - I was supported with invaluable advice and encouragement from the late Ian Massie at Fife (Dunfermline) printmakers. He helped me understand what was needed to make work ready for exhibition, a skill that all professional artists need to master.

For inspiration, summer in Scotland is impossible to beat: our coast and countryside offer so much. The need to capture the feeling of awe I have at the wonders of nature helps drive my work. Through painting and printmaking, it gives me the opportunity to bring a small part of Scotland back into people’s homes. Whether it’s the beauty of a single rock; the mist rolling over a mountain top; snow filled crevices in July (it’s a Scottish summer after all); a valley carved by tumultuous forces or boulders naturally curated as if by aesthetic balance and consideration, I’m spoiled for choice. The benefits of academic holidays make summer the time when I get the opportunity to explore, venturing into the depths of Scotland looking for the path less trodden.

With sketchbooks filled to the brim with drawings, watercolours and notation, I can capture a moment in time to bring back to my studio. I prefer to only paint places I have been. I find photos a great resource, but not having the skill of an expert photographer, my visual memory is what allows me to bring my work to life. Often, when going through photos with friends and family, sifting through images of rockpools, wildflowers, guid Scottish weeds and beaches, I would be asked, “where are the pictures of your family?”. Back in the day when a camera could only take a few pictures, I would sometimes “forget” to photograph my boys. I would like to reassure you there was kite making on Tiree, bird watching at Muir of Ord, walking in the Great Glen, fun in wellies and waterproofs on the beach but I always had one eye on the landscape around me, certain that my husband, Richard, would prevent my children from landing the kite on their heads.

I’m often asked where my favourite place in Scotland is, but I couldn’t pick just one. I have fond memories of staring longingly out the window of my grandparents’ VW Beatle-Bus as the lochs, glens and funny little cottages on the highlands went whizzing by. Even back then I would spend my time drawing. Sadly not many of these survive today, but it gives me the opportunity to re-visit these places when travelling. Richard, ever patient, responding (safely) to, “STOP!”, so I can get out the car, often having to phone ahead to where we were staying to apologise for being late.

I remember the year Andy Murray won the Olympic gold medal, Richard taking a BMW saloon way outside of its comfort zone to find radio signal halfway up the side of a valley on the way to the tiny hamlet of Melon Udrigle. I set off up the hill to find places to draw as he sat listening to the match... Bonkers.

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I found a comfy little rock and became so engrossed in what I was doing, I didn’t notice that I was sitting right in the middle of a huge wild bee colony. What a privilege this was, paying no attention to me, the bees just went about their daily business. I watched them with a great deal of pleasure, though I did retreat very, very, carefully.

The North west, with its fabulous coastline, beaches and dramatic Islands are a firm favourite. In 2020 however, this was impossible. Cancelling and re-scheduling plans like most of us, I hardly left Falkirk. Trading in the Hebrides for more mundane, but beautiful, walks in my local area, brought me closer to a familiar landscape I once took for granted.

Spending most of my year in the studio, the pictures and sketches I’ve collated over the years, instantly transport me. I can see, feel, even smell the places I’ve been. The emotional feeling and sense of wellbeing I associate with being outdoors and studying the view is just as strong when I draw or paint in the studio. When I work, I am so lost in concentration that nothing intrudes. I believe my best memory is for colour; I seem to be able to hold this in my mind and know exactly the blue I need to mix, the green and the golds with the splashes of pink and purple you see on the moors.

I’m not one to enjoy a trip to the dentist but after years of hard work I have found my happy place. I transport myself to an Atlantic beach on Tiree, waves pounding the sands, while I sit in the shelter of the rocks. In recent visits the valley of Glencoe, the beach at the iron age settlement in Bostadh, Great Bernera, have also made an appearance.

This ability to vividly catalogue places has meant I’ve been lucky enough to get out and about, if only in mind and spirit rather than body.

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Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

I’ve visited Gairloch, Reds Sand, the Assynt mountains and many more. I’ve enjoyed a trip to Applecross with its mad, winding road, now made famous by the North Coast 500. I spent time in Achiltibuie, with views of the Summer Isles, and walked the Cairngorms and Rannoch moor, all from the comfort of my own garden. I’ve even taken a virtual Easter holiday to Italy, enjoying the bustle of the Uffizi in Florence, supported by an unusually warm Scottish summer, helping bring the illusion to life, albeit it never quite reached 46 ⁰C. When people look at my work, it often reminds them of places they’ve been, resulting in the question, “where is that?”. This has led to me take some more time to better document exactly where I am. I have a new website launching in July, scottishwatercolours.com, where due to the wonders of modern technology, and my kids introducing me to geo-tagging in photos, I’m hoping to connect the artwork to the exact coordinates of the place that inspired me. Though I’m starting to embrace modern technology, I must admit I enjoy my usual descriptions, such as “I can’t quite remember but nip over the hill at Great Bernera, keep going north on the rocky wee path until you see the skull rock at Bosta and come down through the valley to the little restored iron age cottage”.

I hope in August we will be able to go north to Fort William, where my husband and sons intend to walk through the Great Glen to Inverness. I’ll walk some of way but my limit of about 5 miles will have me return slowly, in time to drive on and meet up with them later. I’ll treasure that time all the more, having been deprived of it in reality during the pandemic.

With COVID hopefully coming to end, I hope to celebrate with a solo exhibition at the Glasgow Art club, originally scheduled for July 2020, and appearing as a guest at the Pittenweem festival when next scheduled.

I hope my experience of summer in Scotland will inspire you to get out and enjoy what it has to offer. If you would like to see more of my work, I am currently represented in Glasgow by Scotlandart.com in Bath Street.”

Up to date information on confirmed exhibitions can be found on Catherine's website: www.catherineking.org.uk www.scottishwatercolours.com @CatherineKingArtist @Catherine.King.Artist

The Isles from the Mainland by Catherine King, Oil on Canvas.

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The menus feature delicious, fresh seafood landed at the pier.

Should the weather turn, there are log-burning firepits and plenty of space to keep cosy, while social distancing, under the new stretch tent – with stunning views over the water.

Am Pràban is a lively and much-loved bar of character - cosy, rustic, unpretentious. Wood-panelled walls, a crackling log fire and local ales on tap, it is popular with visitors and locals alike, and a good place to hear the beautiful lilting words of the ancient Gaelic language.

Book a tastings of The Gaelic Whiskies or The Gaelic Gins – the award-winning spirits – with the full range available for purchase at the bar, or in the reception at the hotel.

If there’s one thing the staff at Eilean Iarmain take pleasure in hearOnce rested and reing over and again, it’s that this picturesque Hebridean haven leaves freshed, stroll from the hotel to Gallery An Talla Dearg with its its mark upon people. Guests and visitors breathlessly enthuse with programme of exhibitions from May to early November – Highland exclamations about “that view”, the history, the atmosphere, the and Islands landscapes, seascapes and wildlife with the rare opporquaint whitewashed buildings! First-time visitors already aware of a longing within them to return at some point in the future. Meanwhile, tunity to chat with the artist, or watch them at work in the waterside gallery. Annual exhibitors include Derek Robertson (BBC Wildlife returning visitors fondly recall their previous experiences – some Artist of The Year "Visions of Nature Award" 2013), Jim Woodman having been regular visitors for over twenty years, others who have discovered Eilean Iarmain more recently keen to fit in as many trips as and Helen L Robertson.

For those wanting to enjoy the stunning landscapes, book (in adpossible, the allure of this delightful place proving too hard to resist. vance) one of the outdoor activities - wildlife walks, simulated stalkEilean Iarmain is the “perfect storm” for a memorable Isle of Skye experience: powerful as they are, it’s much more than merely the char- ing, clay pigeon shooting - with 2019 Gamekeeper of the Year, Scott MacKenzie, whose experience and passion for the lands of Fearann acter of the buildings, the breath-taking panoramas of sea, loch and mountain; more, too, than the excellent service, quality visitor experi- Eilean Iarmain guarantee an unforgettable experience in a unique and precious environment. ences and good food on offer. There’s a beguiling, enchanting atmosOr choose to simply ‘be’, surrendering yourself to the restorative phere here that’s as embedded in the stones of the old pier - from charms of this most magical setting. where Flora MacDonald was transported to the Tower of London in As the renowned Gaelic poet Mairi Mhòr nan Òran (Great Mary of 1746 - as it is in the friendly and caring attitude of the staff. the Songs, 1821-1898) said, “Nuair nochd mi ri Eilean Dhiarmaid, In days gone by Eilean Iarmain was one of the main Herring ports dh’fhalbh na striochan as mo mhala”, “When I reached Eilean of the west coast, with a busy shop, salt store and a cooperage in the harbour buildings. On a quiet afternoon, if you close your eyes and let Iarmain, the furrows left my brow.” After the last twelve months or your imagination go, the sights and sounds, and the by-gone bustle of so, it’s a line from a song over a century old that encapsulates Eilean Iarmain. a past era reach you, but for a moment.

The charming small hotel dates from 1888 enjoying a waterfront posi- But take heed! - you’ll leave behind a part of yourself in this place of tion on the sheltered bay with breath-taking views over the sea to the mystical allure that will draw you back, sometime! (See page 2) hills of Knoydart beyond. The accommodation is spread over three buildings: the main house; the Garden House, and the Suites. Each room has its own individual character - some are wood-lined, one has a tower, and another has a 19th century canopied bed originally from nearby Armadale Castle, home of Clan Donald.

On the lawn outside, tables provide a memorable al-fresco dining experience: this idyll is perfect for all the family bring the dog too! Relax and unwind in the long days of a Highland summer, with dawn-lit skies reflected in the water and the warm glow of sunsets on the hills. Plan your next adventure over brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks. Sip Gaelic Gin distilled on site or one of the award-winning Gaelic Whiskies, and tuck into the varied menu from pub classics to something more elaborate.

EILEAN IARMAIN A PARADISE ON THE ISLE OF SKYE

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Sheldon Cameron is the T H E T R AV E L L I N G A U C T I O N E E R

Straight from the Auctioneer’s desk, Glasgow based Auctioneer Sheldon shares his knowledge & dog biscuits fter a lovely Easter break, it was back to work with snow and ice all around, which had taken everyone by surprise. I scraped the ice off my car windscreen before I jumped in and headed to my appointment. As I was drove along a snowy country road singing to myself ‘You take the high road and I’ll take the low road’…. the words suddenly came alive as I hit a patch of black ice and slip, slide, and pirouette like a Highland cow at Hogmanay! It is at this point my dashboard lights up and I find my car has more air bags than a bouncy castle. I am alive and well but maybe shaken and a little stirred, I proceeded to my appointment at a much slower pace.

A

Surrounded by alcohol, Sheldon is in his happy place

Praemonitus praemunitus “So Sheldon, can you tell me about the history of auctions?” Jeepers, I think, trying to engage brain and remember my schoolboy Latin. “Of course!” I reply, “the word auction is derived from the Latin auctum, which has been a fairly common way to negotiate the exchange of goods and commodities, which in turn leads to both sides haggling over price.” Some auctions have been recorded as early as 500BC in Babylon, for the auction of women for marriage. Something I am considering starting up again quite soon! So, suitably impressed with my knowledge of Molly uses canine telepathy to make her assistant feed her more treats auctions, a date is pencilled in for my Zoom talk.

Our hero, so brave and he didn’t complain...much!

Master of new technology...

Once again, I sit at my desk to negotiate the ever-increas- So with my first shot in the arm behind me (it was sore, but I soldiered on without complaint or indeed a banding number of emails I receive in this socially distanced age). I now feel more content about seeing clients and likeworld we live in and one immediately catches my eye. wise. Having spoken to many, they feel happier to interact Would I give a talk over Zoom (I thought only my car and have people, including yours truly, into their house. went zoom!) to a church group regarding the history So let us hope things slowly get back to ‘the new normal’. and interesting facts about the world of auctioneering?

Whisky cask, whisky bottle, wine sales...a theme Well this got my full attention; a group of people hangWith Easter behind us and the start of year sales done, I ing on my every word and talking (one of my favourite hobbies) about auctions. What could possibly go wrong? look ahead to a very full auction calendar, with antique sales a plenty interspersed with whisky cask and whisky Firstly I must master Zoom, easier said than done and bottle and wine sales. Along with a couple of specialist then I have to contact the person in charge to sort out sales on the horizon, I am busy cataloguing and researchthe time and date of said talk, which I duly do and am met with an interesting question, that luckily I know the ing items for the upcoming antique sale which looms ever closer. answer to…….

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Claims to have friends in high places One thing that will be quite different for one and all is the summer schedule of Country Shows which I loyally attend and exhibit at. My wares and not me you understand. As most Shows have been cancelled this year with the exception of Scone, the Scottish Game Fair, which will now be held over the later stages of September.

I will miss catching up with friends old and new and especially my old (sorry, young, and glamorous) friend, Linda Mellor, the brains behind Scotland in 4 Seasons, who I have known a very long time. (I can imagine her blushing, as we very rarely compliment each other, so she will have to keep me writing now!).

It’s a tough life, how does Sheldon cope?

The ever-faithful auction hound by my side, looking for another Scooby Snack no doubt, it’s into the very cold saleroom to catalogue a large and impressive selection of boxed, very important, vintage Corgi and Dinky die cast vehicles, are always popular and sell. Pond yachts and gold sovereigns, also do very well. Once back at my desk, my four-legged assistant by my side, I open the emails up to find an interesting one from an independent wine merchant who has decided to close and wonders if I can help him, alas not with consumption of his goods, but at auction. Of course I can, so we discuss the finer points of the auction process and it is decided I should inspect the stock.

No wee drams So off to the Capital I go, along the M8 to spend a good three hours casting my eye over his stock and assessing value and vintages. It is a tough and varied life I lead, but alas, no wee drams to try. It is decided an auction is the way forward, so paperwork completed I jump back in my car and head back to a bitterly cold but sunny Glasgow.

Molly wants a new employment contract The following day, I am once again at my desk with the ever-faithful auction hound by my side. She is looking 20 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

like a hungry waif or stray, which I can assure you, she isn’t, and another interesting email arrives. This time from a hotel owner who has had enough of this ‘dreaded virus’ and ‘the Nicola’, so has decided to put the property on the market but wants to sell the contents.

Travel for work So after a few emails and phone calls I once again get in my car and head North, which before you all say, I should stick to ‘local’, the Nicola has decreed that travel for work is allowed. So off I go to look at the bedrooms, of which there are many. Beds, wardrobes, bedside tables, dressing tables, chests of drawers, light fittings, sofas, armchairs, pictures, taxidermy, fishing rods, waders, Wellington boots, a boat for use on the loch, tackling equipment, dining tables and loads of dining chairs and many, many other items that the client wants to dispose of, either at auction in Glasgow or possibly to conduct an auction on site. But as we are all still socially distancing, this is not an option. So everything will have to come to Glasgow for sale. It is as if the Sword of Damocles is wavering around a lot of businesses presently.

Rod in the hand While having a walk around the hotel grounds, spotting red squirrels and other native wildlife, I start to wish I had packed my rod for a quick cast on the very picturesque loch and am still annoyed with ‘the Nicola’ that everything is still closed, as this is such a lovely location. A night in any hotel or B&B would have been light relief in these dark times.

Going, going gone……but not for long!

US & OUR DOGS

By Georgina Buchan

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M

y husband Ronnie and I are very fortunate to share our lives with 10 Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas. Our lives revolve around them.

Ronnie was a gamekeeper on Speyside when I first met him in 1986 with a kennel full of spaniels, labradors, retrievers and an odd assortment of terriers. After we were married in 1989 we moved to Sutherland where Ronnie’s main occupation was as stalker/grouse keeper. We were lucky to have a fairly healthy population of grouse on the ground along with a kennel full of English pointers. After only a few years of living in Sutherland Ronnie was offered a stalking job on an estate in Inverness-shire where we lived for nearly twenty years. Although there was no real need for working dogs on the estate we spent many years retraining, rehabilitating gundogs to be re-homed.

Whilst in Sutherland we were contacted by the local dog pound who informed us that there was a feisty Jack Russell terrier who would probably make a great working dog, he had been arrested attacking old ladies coming out of the local shop! I made the hour-long journey down our bumpy road in our ancient Land Rover and went to see this little dog. He was (in my eyes) gorgeous. Arriving back home Ronnie took one look at this mess of a dog realising he had a deformed back, weak back legs and a very undershot jaw…. There was no way that this little dog could face a fox down a hole!! And so Spike came into ‘my’ life. He and I had obviously bonded on our bumpy ride home. We never knew where he came from and we didn’t know his age (somewhere between 4 and 6 years old). After a few years of living with us Spike began to tolerate Ronnie. Spike was very wary of men (especially in working boots), other terriers and children, but we just worked around that. He and I shared 11 years together and I still miss him to this day. When Ronnie decided to become self-employed he took on a few woodland stalking contracts and needed a “stalking dog”.

22 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

After a lot of research he finally decided on the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. He contacted a very well-known breeder, and we were put on a waiting list.

Finally there was a puppy for us, and we brought Tottie home. At this point in our lives Ronnie was offered the opportunity to move to Wester Ross to help rebuild the sporting side of a 56,000 acre estate, and so Tottie moved into our new home at the same time as us, along with a labrador called Jake and a terrorist of a Jack Russel terrier called Scruff. As the need for a “stalking dog” was no longer a priority Tottie was destined to become a bird dog.

The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is a wonderful breed, full of affection and such a willingness to please. They are extremely intelligent and versatile, slightly sensitive requiring a soft touch.

I stopped working when we moved to Wester Ross and was also very keen to have a dog of my own and a year later we collected Poppy from a breeder in the Angus Glens. One year after Poppy arrived we imported in quick succession two dogs from Hungary – Tibor and Ginnie. Each dog differed slightly from the others, but Ronnie’s calm nature and his understanding of all things “dog” brought the best out of each and every one of them.

A few years later we decided that we wanted to breed with Tottie and Tibor, both dogs were fully health tested, and have the most wonderful temperaments as well as showing excellence in their working abilities. In January of 2015 Tottie whelped six lovely puppies and we suddenly became the proud owners of six Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas with the addition of Teddy and Annys to the ‘Culdrein Clan’.

We had always admired a working kennel in Germany and after a few years of contact with them we imported Hatch in the summer of 2016.

A few months later we were offered the chance to take in a six month puppy called Luci, and suddenly we found ourselves with 8 dogs….

All the dogs live with us in the house, we are one big happy (sometimes noisy) family.

In April of 2017 Tottie whelped another six puppies; this time we chose a different sire which had given me the opportunity to spend a few days with a great friend of mine in Lincolnshire whilst Tottie was mated. From this litter we kept Loop. Ronnie is a very keen fisherman and has named a few of his dogs after very expensive fishing tackle…. Tibor, Hatch, Loop and eventually Sage. Loop shares many of the characteristics of his father.

In 2019 we took the decision to have one final litter from Tottie and wanted to use Hatch as the sire. Sadly, Hatch would not perform (which in hindsight was a relief as Hatch has now sadly developed epilepsy), and so Tibor was used again. Tottie whelped yet another litter of six pups and from this litter we kept Sage and Bertie.

There have been a few problems along this journey with the Clan. Luci was not happy being a member of the pack – we have seen this before with other dogs, some just want to be ‘single’ dogs and therefore the decision was made to find her a new home. The Swedish Goddaughter of very good friends was living in the Lakes at the time and she and her partner came to visit to meet Luci. They hit it off and one month later at the beginning of 2020 Luci went to live with Helena and Jason. Just before Covid struck they all moved to Sweden where Luci is now very happy. We miss her but know that this was the best solution, and we are forever grateful to Helena and Jason for being able to give Luci the best life possible.

We have had our fair share of health problems within the Clan. When Teddy was born he had difficulty walking and the prognosis was not good, but with hard work and a lot of support from the HWV community he is now one of our most athletic dogs. Ginnie had to have major surgery to correct entropion/ectropion – a visually horrific surgery but a total success. Hatch has had two epileptic fits in the last six months, and we are now just monitoring him.

All the dogs are characters in their own right. Tottie is a very loyal and affectionate girl; Poppy was always a bit of a Princess as a young dog, but has grown into a very loving and hard-working dog. Tibor is quite vocal and likes to boss the other dogs around. Ginnie is the clown of the Clan making us laugh a lot. Teddy is a hard running dog with an excellent nose but quite independent and Annys is just an easy dog to have in the home but a different dog when out working where she excels.

Hatch is a very impressive dog to watch working and extremely loyal. Loop is a bit of an idiot in the house, he loves to tease the other dogs but is also a very impressive dog when out working the ground. Sage is much more outgoing than her brother Bertie, but both are making good strides in their working life. Our dogs enjoy a relatively busy year with the season starting in August.

We don’t have a huge population of grouse on the West Coast, but we do have the opportunity to work our dogs for clients on other estates.

In August we have the chance to run our dogs in the grouse field trials. Field Trialling for Ronnie really begins after the end of the stag season (end of October) when he takes a week off to trial in the Borders. I also enjoy attending field trials, but because of where we live and the number of dogs that we have it is impossible for us both to be away overnight at the same time. We have both enjoyed success in pointing tests, working tests and field trials with the majority of the dogs.

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Towards the end of November we usually have a nice fall of woodcock and snipe and we all (dogs included!) look forward to this time of the year. The dogs thrive on hunting the woodcock and snipe. We are also lucky to be invited to run our dogs on pheasants and to attend pheasant shoots.

After the end of the season we turn our attention to the young dogs to prepare them for the Spring Pointing Tests and Working Tests. Obviously due to Covid we missed out on these both last year and this year. After all this the dogs have a holiday! We always make sure that they have ‘fun’ along with their routine training; they all really enjoy swimming in our various lochs and their holiday time involves a lot of this.

Grouse counting in July rounds up the busy year!

With ten dogs (5 dogs and 5 bitches) in the house we are very lucky that they all get on so well.

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There is the occasional grumbling of course, but that never escalates to anything more. We have reached maximum capacity and have no plans to breed again. We are very strict with our breeding practices and even though we did try to breed with Annys she did not take. Poppy, although a wonderful working dog, is not breed standard and has awful teeth. Ginnie has entropion which is genetic, and Sage has a dreadful coat and has not yet proved herself. Tibor has been removed from stud dog duties due to throwing two puppies with a non-standard coat colour (Bertie is one of these), and Hatch has developed epilepsy.

When the time is right I’m sure more dogs will come and enrich our lives, but at the moment we are very happy with our Culdrein Clan of ten dogs."

Ronnie & Georgina Buchan Culdrein Wirehaired Vizslas www.culdrein.co.uk

FA S C I N AT I O N F O R F I S H

Words & Images Jason Sweeney

“

As a wildlife artist residing in Scotland, in the beautiful Borders, a stone’s throw from the coast and a short journey to the glorious Tweed and the rolling hills, I feel privileged.

This glorious landscape with its variety gives me so much pleasure in my down time as well as providing a constant source of inspiration for my work. There is wildlife everywhere we look, on our daily dog walk I regularly observe roe deer, hare, partridge and the resident pheasants, no matter the time of day we go. We see otters in and along our local river – a small spate river close to our house - as well as the kingfisher, mallards, moorhens, and the occasional swan.

As long as I can remember I have had a fascination for fish. Not just the sport in catching them (or as my daughter would say casting for them, she’s not much faith in her pa) but just watching them. Seeing salmon in a lie or a deep pool in a river is exciting, seeing them face to face in the water is magical! The places they lie, the constant jostle for the safest place in the pool, the position of their fins and the way they hold themselves in the water, it all adds richness to my day and depth to my work.

I am lucky enough to have a syndicate rod on lower Tweed at Ladykirk and to the Boatman’s frustration I can be found enjoying the landscape or observing the otter, the oyster catchers and sand martins just as readily as flicking a flee! Joking aside, my time fishing is a juxtaposition of R & R and inspiration, the rhythm of casting and moving through a pool can be meditative and then the shape of a ripple on the water’s surface provides an idea for a new mount to incorporate a sculpture.

From home when the tide is right, within a few minutes we can don wetsuits and grab snorkels to spend even an hour or so immersed in the North Sea. Within a matter of feet from the water’s edge the sea is teaming with wildlife, small flat fish, usually flounders, are seen in inches deep water, around the rocky pools of the middle shore the shy wrasse hide in the kelp and season dependant at the edge of the bay, the sand eels and mackerel can be seen shoaling. The movement of the water, the pull and push of the gentle waves out in the bay is hypnotic. When combined with a scene unfolding – mackerel rounding the sand eels in a bait ball and puffin and razorbills diving to enjoy the feast – the action is so exhilarating, time disappears!

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That is the wonder I can have within a short journey from home. Further afield, travelling North there is a wealth of variation in the countryside with the changing seasons adding to the wonder and the fauna changes too. Through hosting and being a grateful guest to join fishing parties as well as for client & site visits and family trips, I have seen much of the country north of the Borders. From the mountains and glens of Glencoe and Etive, the sheer size of the land making you aware of your own diminutiveness to the wider strath and bigger skies of Strathcarron and the flat, sparse ruggedness that is flow country. Then there’s the picturesque boulder lined river valleys and huge trees of Findhorn, the lush variety of the Spey valley and beautiful Perthshire that seems to encapsulate the very essence of the Highlands, I could go on... The variety of the countryside is huge and with it, it’s wildlife. I will never tire of seeing red deer on the mountainside or an eagle soaring overhead, hearing the roar of a stag or the call of the grouse. All of it, the sight, the sounds, the smell (pine, bog myrtle, fresh air, peaty water) is wonderous and continues to drive and inspire my work.

My work. Sculptural representation of wildlife, birds; beasts; fish & marine life, unique pieces created from flat sheets of stainless steel, heated, hammered and welded by me.”

Jason Sweeney, Sculptor in Metal www.jasonsweeney.co.uk

Events this year: Redspot Unlocked An online exhibition by the Redspot Artists in support of the Atlantic Salmon Trust and Countryside Alliance, 21st May to 20th June A full preview can be seen at www.redspot-artists.com

Redspot was founded in 2001 by a collective of some of the finest wildlife artists in Britain.

Together they are widely acknowledged as being one of the most innovative artistic groups in their field, producing work of the very highest standard in a diverse range of media: delicate watercolours, bold oils, detailed scraperboard and beaten metal sculpture.

The artists are defined by their talent and passion for representing their vision of nature and wildlife through their work.

They are all deeply knowledgeable about the rural environment and the countryside and their commitment to conservation shines through everything they do. They have held numerous exhibitions as a group, throughout the UK, over the past 20 years and their work is collected worldwide and has been reproduced in dozens of books and publications.

Artists: Ben Hoskyns, Sam Macdonald, Rodger McPhail, Jonathan Sainsbury, Tania Still, Jason Sweeney, Keith Sykes and Owen Williams

26 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Gifts Ideas For You & Yours We love to support Scottish products and businesses, here are a few of our summertime favourites We adore the magical range of goodies from The Cottage Argyll. Embrace and nurture your wild spirit with an assortment of bewitching gifts for you and yours. Ignite your inner power with their evocative scented candles and aromatherapy mist. Each order is packed with care, and beautifully presented with a magical flourish. See page 3334 for 'Our Story' featuring The Cottage Argyll's Robbie.

Visit: www.thecottageargyll.co.uk

Meet Daffy’s Gin, a smooth tipple with a wonderful depth of flavour. Daffy’s Gin won IWSC ‘World’s Best Gin’. It is made locally in the Strathmashie Distillery, where you can also book and attend gin-making courses or enjoy foraging experiences. You can book your stay at the Distillery Cottage or The Butlers Flat. A must for gin lovers!

We rave about local products, and this small-batch gin is definitely something to shout! about, it's a perfect drink for a summer's evening, on its own over ice or with a splash of tonic (Fevertree is our choice).

If you have to head to the North of Scotland it is likely you'll have driven the A9 and spotted the white cottage with the large letters "B&B "on the gable end. The fabulous Balsporran B&B at Drumochter not only offers the very best comfy rooms and tastiest food, there’s also a gift shop full of amazing goodies, lots of local Scottish treats including Geoff's famous handmade spurtle.

Visit: www.balsporranbedandbreakfast.co.uk

Visit: www.daffysgin.com Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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FROM

THE HIGHLANDS TO

THE ISLAND OF JERSEY

J

ersey sits in the Bay of St Malo, and was occupied by the Germans for most of WW2 and is just 14 miles from the French coast and 85 miles south of the English coast. The island is only 5 miles long and 9 miles wide, it is self-governing, has its own financial, legal systems and its own court of law.

Jersey’s southerly location and sheltered position means that the climate is warmer and has more sunshine than any other part of the British Isles. With Logan Air and Easy Jet running direct flights throughout the year, it makes for a perfect short break or longer holiday and with a flight time of just over an hour, its easily accessible from Scotland.

“Flight time of just over an hour, it’s easily accessible from Scotland.”

Words & Images by Debbie Anderson

“There is nothing better than a holiday to re-connect with those you love, rediscover simple pleasures or just time to focus on having fun as a family. Let your appetite for adventure drive you, from adrenaline fuelled experiences to casual walks discovering history, Jersey has something for all ages.”

28 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

LIFE’S A BEACH!

S

J

ersey has an endless choice of sustainable activities, family days out and mouth-watering restaurants in the most idyllic of settings. Holidaying here can include your children or yourself signing up for action adventure clubs, surf schools or taking part well-being courses to visiting and experiencing a safari style stay in a conservation zoo. The island also boasts museums and national heritage sites to enable you to discover the hardship, heartache, and heroism of ‘The Occupation’.

With its 43.5 miles of coastline to discover, you cannot help but stumble across beach cafés and restaurants to try the local seafood and produce. Then again, you may head into the main seaside town of St Helier and sit sipping a cocktail by the stunning marina, then choose from a host of vibrant restaurants, night-life spots and not forgetting the shopping. There really is everything you can possibly imagine in this 45 square mile island and whether it’s a high intensity holiday succumbing to surfing, a relaxing escape submitting to spas, or forcing down lobster linguine while enjoying the breathtaking views of the bays, you will be sure to find your perfect spot in the sun. Not forgetting, with the use of the British pound sterling or Jersey currency of the same value, driving on the same side of the road as the UK and English as the main language, it’s an easy hassle free destination.

ince creating my Scottish lifestyle brand Be Coorie in 2018, which started organically by taking by over my parents antique shop in my village of Comrie, Perthshire, I have found myself on a journey. I am challenging the way myself and my children live day to day, and one huge difference is being more conscious of our daily actions. From the way we spend our free time, to what we eat as a family, to what to buy for my shop and for myself. Leading from this ‘Way of Life’ came the introduction of the campervan rentals, the need to explore and travel after the last 18 months, has guided me to share how we can travel in a more eco-friendly way, lowering our carbon footprints and be safe in our own self-contained accommodation.

And now finding ourselves here in Jersey, I aim to share how we can be more aware and conscious of how and where we travel to, and how these new travel experiences can be in an environmentally positive way. This lifestyle awareness of being mindful and responsible humans continually grows to touch every aspect of life and highlights our awareness of our environment as well as educating and enjoying new life experiences along the way. Now that we have found ourselves parted from the Highlands once more and back on this island where my children were born, we have welcomed the notion of being ‘Active Tourists’, living in Jersey. We are exploring new places, spending time as a family, paddle boarding, hiking, rock pooling and educating ourselves by taking guided tours.

We are embracing island life like we never did before and have joined one of the many surf camps.

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Becoorie Top 10

ACTIVE Tourist & ECO Tourist

Visitor Attractions in Jersey

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1. Jersey Zoo - Gerald Durrell’s animal haven is the natural place to discover some of the world’s most incredible animals. Fun, tranquil, educational and 32 acres of park with valleys, woodlands, restaurants and play areas. Plus a ‘Glamping Safari’ experience on site.

2. Jersey Bike Hire - from tandems, kids bikes or electric bikes, set off on an expedition along what once was Jersey’s Railway track.

3. Valley Adventure Centre - Get your adrenaline fix and step out into thin air with some zip lining through trees, abseiling, archery or swinging high in the woodlands on the king swing!

4. Le Braye Cafe or Eltico Beach Restaurant- Family run restaurants on the beach in St Ouen, where children can happily enjoy the sand, while you watch or where you can take part in surfing, kiteboarding or enjoy 10 km of an uninterrupted beautiful sandy beach.

5. Bunker Yoga - join a group lesson, keep it personal or book a family session 6. Jersey Surf School / Eltico surf school / Laneez Surf school. Surf camps available from Easter through to late September. Adults and children. Private lessons, half days and full day camps.

7. aMaizin! Adventure Park - A family day out, rain or shine suitable for all ages 0 -99 with everything included in entrance price, from go-karting, bounce pillow, water fights, drop slides to mining for gold.

And in the summer months get lost in the maize maze. Bring your own picnic or dine at Rangers diner.

8. The Porlet Inn - A favourite spot of mine! After some beach exploring and a swim, enjoy a local cold beer overlooking Portlet bay, while the kids can play in the pirate themed play area.

9. Absolute Adventures - Jerseys leading water-sports and adventure centre located in St Brelades Bay. Whether you’re looking for a simple SUP session or some coasteering adventures, the Absolute Adventures team is full of professional, experienced and adventure loving instructors ready to share their love of the sea and island life with you.

10. Becoorie and Becoorie Campervan Rentals - at Rozel Bay, where we have become the first to rent out new luxury VW Campervan Rentals on the island. Also at Rozel Bay, you can visit “the Hungry Man” before setting off to explore the island and to settle into one of the island’s camping sites.

L

et Becoorie Jersey be your friend, your personal, knowledgeable host, allowing yourself to gain access to local activities, clubs and places that are sustainable, environmentally friendly as well as being socially and ecologically sustainable.

Undoubtedly, the best way to visit a new land is to travel with a local service that shows you all the beautiful and interesting attractions. Somebody that explains to you about local traditions, history, art, and culture. Somebody that takes you to eat classic island food, shows you where to shop and guide you around. A friend that shows you the local nature and takes you on an adventure."

Becoorie Jersey is your Island Companion Enjoy the best and most well deserved break in Jersey ‘The Jewel of the British Isles’

Get in touch: becooriejersey.com jerseycampervans.com

Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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Island of

Adventure

Explore

Unwind 32 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Jersey

Adventure Explore Unwind Rent a Becoorie luxury VW campervan

Make it Memorable with becooriejersey.com jerseycampervans.com

OUR STORY

with Robbie Baird of The Cottage Argyll

Words & Images supplied by Robbie

"Never more than before have we yearned to retreat, reconnect and re-experience our wild places of the world.

Protected, far from the madding crowd, back into the heart of the land that holds us. To be lost, if just for a while, in the green spaces, warm, in dappled sunlight under the boughs of tall Scots pines or with our feet in the water soaking up the tidal energy, feeling the breeze on our face, new-found passions, reignited by the creation of sanctuary.

I am a lucky one… At 16 years of age my family and I made the move from Hampshire to the rural west coast of Scotland. It has been home away from home for all my life, regularly holidaying in our tumble-down wee cottage and the edge of the wood.

I live in my own wee cottage in Tighnabruaich close to the shores of the outstanding beauty that is the Kyles of Bute.

As lock-down struck, many of us found that we had more time on our hands. As the feelings of dread subsided or settled, many of us found our creative energy reignited.

I took time to read, learn, paint, and create.

In the quiet time I was able to remember ideas that had simmered away in the background.

I have always been fascinated by folk magic practices and witchcraft.

There is magic here. The land is ancient, filled with memory and stories if you can be still and listen, ancestral voices fill the air, calling us back to mystical times, old ways with an innate and intrinsic connection to our natural world. It was the most natural thing to be attuned with the seasons and recognise nature's bountiful power! Scotland’s energies are awesome, plentiful and in these wild parts – so full of power!

Those of you who have been lucky enough to venture of the beaten track in Scotland’s wild places will have, no doubt, come across the foundations of old cottages and crofts, left behind long ago but still present enough to spark the imagination. Who doesn’t want to retreat to a Cottage in the Scottish wilderness? Some people want palaces, but I am a firm believer that The Cottage, in the physical realm exists as a sanctuary, much loved places to call home, with cherished ones around and open fire, close to the elements, living with the land. We dream they were inhabited often by wise folk, green fingered, sustaining a picturesque lifestyle.

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As I was able to develop my own spiritual practice, so the idea of The Cottage Argyll began to manifest. It conjures the idea of a magical space in a wild place, open armed and a place to build community. To reinterpret the archetype of the village ‘witch’ in a contemporary space.

Various names are offered to the cunning folk of Scotland’s past. I wanted this business to be informed by my own spiritual practice, how I encourage more magic into my life, the importance of ritual and the ability to observe the natural world and cycles. There is a defined difference between the practice of Folk Magic, of that which is distinctly native to Scotland, and contemporary Witchcraft, ceremonial and often religion based. For me, it was finding the sweet spot between these. Acknowledging heritage, being exposed to contemporary ideas and the practical integration of Magic into my life.

The Cottage Argyll believes in the power of magic, manifestation, and ritual. We recognise that there is 'a little witch in all of us' and encourage everyone to embrace their power, raise their vibration, live in tune with nature and find magic in wild places. In recent years there has been a resurgence in the recognised importance of spiritual practice and a wider acknowledgment of its benefits. With information, readily to hand, people are able to learn and discover how their lives can be enhanced by encouraging, casual or formal ritual.

The simple act of lighting a candle, creating sacred space was where it all began. Illumination by candlelight is magical in itself but I use candles, as do most practicing witches, in all my rituals. We began by developing a range of candles which aid the process of creating MAGICAL space. Beyond this I wanted to make daily ritual and practice accessible with a contemporary edge. a range of products and tools that sit comfortably in a modern aesthetic, a reflection of my own lifestyle. The catalogue began to expand as I considered how best to share the knowledge that I have gathered so far.

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As compliment to the candle collection, we launched spell pouches, candle magic kits and our incredibly popular Wee Cottage Kit which enables you to create a small ritual attuned to the purpose you need most at that time. We are at the next phase of the journey now, which is to bring more enchanting makers onto the broom and develop and create a store that celebrates the immense talent of those makers that create and spread magic. Scotland provides us with the perfect base to build the brand and we hope that with every order we

are sending some of that potent Scottish power far and wide.

There are two main things that I love about running this business. Spreading magic and building community.

These were two of our key objectives when setting out and it has been so totally wonderful to see both aspects of the plan flourish. I have connected with so many incredibly amazing, talented people and the response to the shop and products still blows me away. The hope is that we continue to grow, both the strength of the store and our community, to connect with other practitioners.

As summer approaches, we can all recognise a lift in the earth’s energy, nature thrives and showcases its power in the most incredible ways. We are able to re-engage with those green spaces we have yearned for. The days are longer, we are excitable and enthusiastic. Spirited and dynamic. Our power grows with the changing season. Embrace it, step into it, and acknowledge your own magic." www.thecottageargyll.co.uk Instagram: @the_cottage_argyll

Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde by Linda Mellor Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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Meet Highland Hiddle

by Harriet Fletcher

“

I’ve always believed in fate and accepted life events as ‘meant to be’. Even if I don’t realise it at the time, the ‘why’ has materialised further down the line. In 2020 fate went one step further when many of my life events and experiences converged with my family heritage and I launched Highland Hiddle, an online marketplace for artisans in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

I’m of Scottish heritage on my father’s side and while I grew up in south London, I spent many happy holidays visiting my Grandparents in Lanarkshire and have wonderful memories of exploring Fife and Dornoch, from the warm welcome and homemade fish suppers, to the beautiful beaches and the shaggy coated Highland Cows. On my mother’s side, my Grandpa and Great Aunt were artists.

36 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

I was brought up to appreciate the beauty of original art and I am lucky to have some of their paintings in my home. While I have not inherited their artistic talent, I do enjoy being creative and I was drawn to marketing, the most creative of the business disciplines.

After studying a business degree at UWE in Bristol, I had a 20-year career in marketing, working for several high-growth tech and software companies.

It was landing a placement working for Sun Microsystems as part of my degree that laid the path into the tech sector. I have had a thoroughly rewarding time working for many exciting businesses.

I married a Scotsman (of course), with a passion for the outdoors and from his own experiences holidaying on the Isle of Barra, he also had a love of the Highlands and Islands. We spent most of our holidays exploring The Highlands, mainly in the winter due to his job at the time. As a result, we certainly had some different, often hairy, but always spectacular experiences of The Highlands. We dreamt of moving to the Highlands one day...

Then in 2015 the stars aligned, and I started working for a company where remote working was more acceptable. At last, my husband and I could begin plotting our move to The Highlands. We moved up to the west coast in 2016 and I continued to work remotely. In 2018 my schedule became unworkable with the life I wanted to live up here and by 2019 I left full time employment and started my own marketing consultancy business with the intent of pursing a better work/life balance.

As a nature lover, I have always been passionate about the environment and I do my best to lessen the impact I make on our precious planet. As part of this I am careful about what products I buy, seeking to know how it’s been made, what it’s made from and by whom. As such, I endeavour to buy handmade products from small, independent businesses.

It will come as no surprise that since moving to The Highlands, one of the aspects of life I have loved, besides the nature and beauty of the place, is the local craft fairs. I remember being wide eyed at my first craft fair in Dornie, seeing such amazing creative talent, and such an array of different products.

On the flip side, I was surprised that many tourist shops didn’t always stock products from local makers, with a lot of mass-produced items from overseas factories. The cogs started turning.

In 2020 covid hit and much of my consultancy work dried up as my clients panicked about the impact it would have on their businesses. My mind returned back to the idea of showcasing the handmade products made in the Highlands and Islands.

On researching the idea further, I discovered there was no other marketplace focused exclusively on this region. I built a business plan and discovered the idea had potential. I had a great reception from the craft community, many of whom were reliant on local craft fairs and stockists. While lots had an internet presence, some had none, and those that did were often lost in the plethora of other artists and crafters on sites such as Etsy and Folksy that had grown (arguably) too big.

And so, it was meant to be, and I launched Highland Hiddle in August 2020. My Scottish ancestry and love of The Highlands converged with my artistic heritage, business and marketing skills and my passion for buying handmade products.

Highland Hiddle brings together talented artists, makers and crafters living and working in the Scottish Highlands and Islands and showcases their work in one ecommerce marketplace.

The name ‘hiddle’ originates from the old Scots for ‘hidden’ and aptly describes the previously hidden gems found on the site."

Discover the unique treasures being made by talented artists, crafters and makers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands at www.highlandhiddle.co.uk.

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The Wilderness hotel You book a night in the Wilderness hotel, and arrive just as a huge storm takes out the power. The torrential rain floods the road and the local river bursts its banks. There are no phone signals, no power or communication with the outside world until morning. The staff greet you by candle light.

Let your imagination flow as you answer the questions below.

Our Wilderness Hotel guest is Artist Catherine King.

Q. All the rooms are haunted and you can pick any room in the hotel to sleep in. What room would you pick and who would haunt it?

A. “I’d pick the one that might have the best view in the morning preferably with double aspect windows and Charles Rennie MacIntosh interior. It would be haunted by the captain of the Titanic. Mainly because the idea of being stuck in a huge steel floating thing with hundreds of people is my idea of hell.”

Q. Your bedroom is lit by candlelight, what book do you choose for your night-time reading?

A. “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières.”

Q. The power is restored before dawn, so after a hot breakfast, the skies have cleared, and the flood waters have subsided, you check out. Where are you going on your onward journey?

A. “To the North of Scotland stopping on the way to Uig and then the ferry to the Outer Hebrides because I have been missing the wilderness, the fabulous beaches, and of course, mountains and glens.”

Q. Your clothes and footwear are drenched in the downpour but in your room there’s a wardrobe full of clothes and shoes in your size. You can help yourself, what do you pick to you wear?

A. “Well I’d get warm first by the big fireplace in my room, then I would try on everything but ultimately wear whatever is warmest. Maybe a huge floor length fur coat inside out. With cashmere socks. On realising I have to go down to dinner I'd choose the vintage Zandra Rhodes floor length gown with a pair of perfectly fitting hand made red pumps.”

Q. What do you see out of your bedroom window?

A. “Stars and a full moon.”

Q. You are one of four guests at the dinner table in the snug by the huge fireplace, who are the three other guests, what is the shape of table and where would they sit?

A. “A round oak table I’d have Nicola Benidetti, Jackie Kay, and Artist Frances Walker. Frances to my right, Jackie to my left and Nicola opposite” Q. What would you eat? Remember there’s no power. What would you drink?

A. “Oatcakes, bread, cheese, olives and prosciutto , strawberries and cream with vintage champagne. My favourite things.”

38 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Find out more about Artist Catherine King, her fabulous work and how she connects with Scotland on pages 13 -16

A page dedicated to good news!

The Road to the Isles

“The A830, also known as the Road to the Isles is a major road in Lochaber up here in the Scottish Highlands. It connects the town of Fort William to the port of Mallaig and is usually my gateway to adventures and a fair amount of inspiration to fuel my work as a painter of landscapes. It was whilst listening to the traditional Scottish song about the road, called The Road to the Isles that I was first inspired to paint this journey and celebrate the places that the lyrics mention; the Cuillin Hills, Tummel, Loch Rannoch, Lochaber, Shiel, Ailort, Morar, the Skerries and the Lews.

Little did I know, when I agreed to do a third solo show with the Aberfeldy Watermill Gallery scheduled for June 2021 with this theme in mind, that a whole year of pandemic travel restrictions would scupper my plans to travel and paint along the road and confine me to my studio at home just outside Aberfeldy. Undeterred by this limitation I found that I had such a wealth of drawings, paintings and photographs from many previous escapades up there that I was able to work from these sources alone, hugely relying on memory, gesture and intuition; that challenge of capturing the essences of places lent me the chance to explore a more lyrical approach to my practice as a painter and experiment with different materials such as monoprint making.

The body of 70 works is now the culmination of this period and I will be showing them as a collection in The Watermill Gallery from June 4th to August 23rd. This show will have a difference; Ballintaggart will host some of their already highly acclaimed Feast nights within the gallery showcasing food from the Isles, the Scottish Potters Association will be taking over the gallery plinths, and talks and workshops will accompany all the exhibits to encourage the gallery space to become a hub for artistic experiences, creative learning, and collaboration.

In the pipeline are shows celebrating ‘Wild’ in September with talks led by some well -known British explorers and further Feast Nights by Ballintaggart catering which has become in itself, a go to venue for Aberfeldy. June 1st is my deadline for my Road to the Isles show and the launch of my role as the new Watermill Gallery curator. Watch this space! It’s certainly been a year of change.”

Words & Images Zanna Wilson.

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“Let’s chat!”

This season we chat to Stewart Robertson, Director of the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre

When did you get involved with the centre?

It started as a favour to a friend whose mate owned the centre and needed wiring done back in June 2004. Each day I went to do a bit of work I became more fascinated by the birds I saw there. I kept going back to help out, eventually spending almost every weekend and holiday at the centre. Brian Haining, the owner, myself, and our families, became close friends through those times. Brian was diagnosed with cancer in March ’05 after suffering weight loss and difficulty eating. I remembered seeing him in 2003, a 19 stone body builder. From December 2004 until his death in October ’06, I watched him waste away to nothing. It was a painful and emotional time. During his illness, in particular when he was receiving treatment, I made sure the centre and the birds were cared for, as well as carrying out my own job managing a sales area from Merseyside and Yorkshire to the Northern tip of Scotland. After Brian’s death no-one was sure what would happen to the centre and the birds. I gave all my spare time to looking after everything and trying to bring in money at weekends. Eventually, in August ’07, Brian’s widow decided she couldn’t keep the centre on and had decided to sell everything. I had promised Brian things would carry on after his death. So, I was faced with a life-changing decision. I decided to give up my secure job, cashed in my pensions, and bought the centre. That happened in December 2007.”

“

How has the centre progressed since you bought it?

“From January 2008, I spent time and money refurbishing and re-building the centre. My landlord then forced the re-location of the centre to a more remote and inaccessible part of site in April 2009.

Initially things weren’t too bad, but eventually lack of footfall led to some really tough times. Thankfully, I was asked to consider a move to Loch Lomond Shores in 2012. Miracles happened, and I relocated the centre in October 2013. Since then, things have improved massively, the centre has gained a wonderful reputation, and the site and facilities improve every year. My son started working for me in May 2019. The daily flying shows have received great reviews, and we look forward to a bright future, even with the difficulties of the past year with Covid.”

Tell us about your role?

“The correct title for my role is “director”, in other words, the guy who has to manage the place and take all the flak if things go wrong.

It isn’t the glamorous job most people would assume from the job title.

There is no big salary, or only working 9-5, five days a week, or long holidays etc. There are no days off, no sick days, no holidays. My last holiday was in early 2004. My last day off sick was in 2007. There is bird mess to clean up every day, food to prepare, birds to train, manage, check, care for, fly, and grieve for when they die. Would I change anything……certainly not.”

40 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Describe a typical day?

“All the birds are checked, leftover food removed, and food taken from the freezer for the next day. Baths for the flying hawks are filled and the hawks placed on the weathering lawn. Every enclosure is cleaned, the cleaning procedure varies from basic hand clean, to thorough clean involving washing down and disinfecting. The flying birds are weighed to ensure their response will be suitable for the flying shows.”

Sounds like a busy workload!

“We provide two flying shows each day, each show has between four and six birds flying. We provide commentary over the PA system, educating the public on raptors and conservation. In addition to this, depending on the time of year, there are new birds to train, and other birds to re-condition for flying. Maintaining the site and improving facilities is an ongoing process. We have records to maintain to comply with the Zoo Licensing Regulations. We are required by law to have bi-annual vet inspections, yearly inspection by the Zoo Licensing Authority and DEFRA, and annual inspections of fire equipment and procedures, and electrical devices (PAT testing).”

Image by Linda Mellor

You are active in conservation?

“Modern zoos play an active part in conservation. We are participating in the captive breeding of endangered Steppe Eagles, we actively participate in the conservation of Vultures worldwide, and we have assisted the BTO in the Short-eared Owl conservation project by helping them pioneer the satellite tracking system.”

Why do you do what you do?

“Taking a fresh hawk, eagle, or owl, gaining its trust, training it, then eventually flying it free, that is a feeling like no other. Building a relationship with a creature that could quite easily kill you, and having it call to you, preen your hair, and it stands on your bare hand with feet that could easily crush your hand or put its talons through your arm, there is no reward like it. Seeing a hawk you have trained take its first rabbit or pheasant after a spectacular flight, that is something else. It is rewarding to spend time talking to the public and explaining why we do what we do, then they see the relationship I have with Orla the Golden Eagle. Often there are tears in their eyes, they say, “I never thought such a creature could have such a bond with a human, that is beautiful”. Those are the reasons why I do what I do.

Educating and enlightening others as much as I can. I am passionate about what I believe in, and the public recognise that when I speak to them. I think in this job you have to be a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades, rather than specialising in one particular aspect of falconry or conservation.”

Is there much variety day to day?

“Every day is a school day, every day is different, every day is an opportunity to improve what I do and improve the centre. The last year has challenged everyone, and I count myself fortunate to have come through it with the centre intact.”

For more information: www.llbopc.co.uk Facebookwww.facebook.com/llbopc

Image by Linda Mellor

Words & images supplied by Stewart unless stated

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Life on the remote Pait Estate

“

Words & Images

by Angela Phimister

My first thoughts of summer are Midges, and there were lots of them on Pait! Life revolved around keeping them out of the house and living in my midge jacket. We would be so hot in house as we had to keep windows and doors shut to keep midges out, plus, our Rayburn was always on as it was our only source of hot water. Mind you, having eight dogs going in and out brought plenty of midges into house whatever efforts we made.

Summer was always such a busy time of year for us with many people coming and going to the lodge. Four generations in the latter days. We did love to see the lodge being used and enjoyed by the family. Sometimes it was full to bursting. This meant lots of cooking, cleaning, laundry, and boat trips for shopping (if it had not been brought up by the parties staying). A shopping trip for me would be a whole day. I would leave Pait, get to the supermarket at either Dingwall or Inverness (both the same distance), shop and load up all the shopping, get back to Monar then unload it all onto the boat then it would all be taken off at Pait and loaded into the Mule (ATV) and driven to lodge where I would finally put it away.

It was so lovely to see the boat land with all the happy faces excited about coming to Pait for their summer break.

The boat would be full of people young and old, food, booze, dogs, fishing and shooting gear. All to be unloaded and taken to the lodge along track. Any children in the party would already be there, running in front to see what bedroom they were having.

In June, the annual lunch party arrived in the boat, wellies on, shoes in hand, and there was always so much laughter and fun. Everyone loved their boat trip, followed by cocktails and lunch in this magical place but sadly they had to depart late afternoon.

42 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

“We had lots of our family and friends come to visit, they all loved it and time did not matter. Pait had so many magical qualities, it always felt like a special place where time stood still.”

When the Boss shouted ‘boat leaving in 5 mins’ no one moved as they were so happy enjoying themselves. It was always a standing joke when they didn’t want to leave. It had been known for antics to go on in journey back down after too many cocktails, like fuel getting disconnected on the boat …

We had lots of our family and friends come to visit, they all loved it and time did not matter. Pait had so many magical qualities, it always felt like a special place where time stood still. We would all go fishing, walking, or for a picnic. Bonfire picnics were enjoyed by all, either on the shore or, if the midges were too bad, on the island. We would eat homemade burgers, and fresh trout if we had been lucky enough to have caught some before lunch.

My late Dad just loved his fishing at Pait, he asked one year if he could bring his best friends, one being my late uncle, and their wives and my Mum, up to join us at Pait.

So, this was eight of us in our little 2-bedroom house, but we managed! Dougie and I slept on kitchen floor (we were a bit younger then). It was the best time and also a few firsts for them: we had bonfire picnics up at the top end of loch, the ladies fished and caught fish. Another big first was the men having their partners with them while they fished. This was unique because the men had always enjoyed boozy fishing trips on their own.

“What great memories!”

“Low water levels revealed the buildings and bridges before the loch was dammed, it was fascinating to see them appear.”

The ponies arrived back home after being at Fairburn for winter, they would be taken in lorry to Monar then we would walk them up loch side to West Monar where they would happily graze until August. In August, they would be taken back down loch side to get shoes on then back up to West Monar. Two ponies were brought round the top end of loch over the hill to Pait for stag season.

This was when the youngsters would get a chance to shoot their stag. There was always great excitement on and off the hill. If they were successful, which they usually were, that night my kitchen would be filled with the steam and aroma from boiling stag heads so they could get their antlers mounted for the wall.

There would also be a couple of days grouse shooting, again, the youngsters getting to shoot first grouse, with so many photos taken and shared, and stories told. The place was always buzzing on an evening after a day at the grouse. I loved hearing all the stories at night when I was in to cook dinner.

On the days when weather was not great the lodge guests would play table tennis, cards or do a jigsaw. We had no power so there was no TV or internet to entertain. Sometimes they would do some DIY if needed.

There was always grass cutting, and weeding the vegetable garden to be done. This all took up a lot of time and, sometimes if there was any spare time, there was always path work needing to be attended to.

Latterly the loch was allowed to go so low it made life very difficult as we had so far out to go to get boat.

However, the low water levels revealed the buildings and bridges before the loch was dammed, it was fascinating to see them appear.

There was always lots of boating for pleasure or collecting and dropping off guests. We would get fuelled up for season time as there was never enough hours in the day by then and sometimes the weather would not be favourable. During the summer months, we could get some horrid wet windy weather for sure, with snow on the tops in June. It was not uncommon to experience weeks of wet weather, but this was summer at Pait.

Then summer slipped into Autumn.”

Angela Phimister lived on the remote Pait Estate, Glen Strathfarrar, for 28 years, with her partner Dougie, who lived and worked there for 42 years. Angela shares what life was like on the remote estate, travelling in and out by boat.

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SUMMER SEASON ON SKYE Words by Scott MacKenzie, Head Gamekeeper Stalker Photography by Stewart Dawber Photo: James Sherlock

Living and working on the beautiful Isle of Skye is rewarding but there are a few challenges, Scott explores the ebb and flow of rural working life.

“

Being on the high ground during the summer months on Skye is a joy, the views seem to extend beyond the blur of the horizon, the emerald jade like colours of the sea resonate from the ocean floor, the shock of purple heather runs over the moorland like the magma flow of an active volcano, meadow pipits bounce back and forth through the deer grass and rows of velvet clad stags can be viewed spreading their haunches over sun warmed rocky outcrops.

Of course, this is the idyllic travellers companion description of a Skye summer’s day, more often than not, it is warm muggy and humid, the views are blurred, the oceans white horses are crashing into the shoreline outcrops and the deer, like myself, are on the high ground escaping the b*****d midge! Such is the diversity of Skye’s weather; it is an ever-constant challenge.

Probably the biggest challenge through the summer months in recent times to Skye’s environment and those that are a part of its management, is tourism. Skye, like much of the Highlands and Highlands, has had a healthy tourism industry for many, many years, however over the last 5-6 years, the volume has exploded to a point that negative impacts are now being seen around our island landscape.

On the estate we try to manage people and the traffic they bring as best we can, and for the most part, visitors are more than engaging. However, wildlife tour operators seem to spring up on a weekly basis, a tripod, spotting scope and a fifteen-seater minibus charging £40 a seat seems to be all you need, and you are in business.

44 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Over the years we have had our fair share of ‘wildlife operators’ wanting to cash in on the estate’s plethora of wildlife and diverse landscapes, some come and ask if they can run tours, many do not. Stewart Dawber, a local wildlife photographer was one of those who, in my early years at Fearann Eilean Iarmain would often stop me on the road to ask if I minded him heading to the hill to watch our resident Golden Eagles. I have always been a little wary of giving too much away for the fear of it getting out of hand, but Stewart was persistent and always asked and would never head to the hill if stalking or gathering were taking place. His persistence and care not only earned my trust, but in return, my respect for him. Stewart would be the first to tell you he was not a fan of field sports or estate management until he came to Skye and gained a better understanding of a Gamekeeper’s role in land management from working closely with myself.

Ten years on Stewart has become a firm friend and a huge asset around the estate. Having that extra pair of eyes and ears whilst he is out and about taking fantastic photographs of the wildlife really helps me with my management needs. Stewart often helps me out with projects around the estate and Ghillies for me on stalking days with guests. However, his early days of driving the Argocat were not all plain sailing.

Minutes later, all kinds of screams came over the radio and as I looked through my binoculars what I witnessed left me cold. Through the heavy rain fall I could see the shape of an Argocat plus driver were being taken down river! This is not a big river but a fast one in a flash flood and Stewart misread the flow. After running down to make sure Stewart was safe, he greeted me on the banks only to see my poor old Argocat get hung up in a tree then roll over and sink. The main thing was that Stewart was safe, fortunately as fast as the rain came it soon disappeared and the burn returned to its normal trickle.

We retrieved the machine and after some drying out it was all fine and is still extracting beasts to this day.

Stewart is now known as Captain Nimo and the Argocat the Nautilus.”

Stewart runs one to one wildlife photography outings and you will be hard pressed to find a better wildlife photography guide than Stewart. For a great day out with Stewart: skyehighwildlife.com We had an American family staying with us at the estate’s main hotel. As keen hunters in their home state they wanted to try traditional hill stalking on the Hinds. On the first day father and son joined me, and the day went well, a couple of yeld hinds culled after a prolonged stalk and all were expertly extracted off the hill by Stewart in cold but sun-bathed November sunshine. Both Father and son were duly dropped back at the hotel for a celebratory dram of the estate’s finest whisky whilst myself and Stewart prepped the beasts and made everything ready for the following days outing.

Now, the weather on the following day was not so sunbathed, it was very overcast and threatening a heavy downpour. But my day’s guests, the eldest son and his wife were still very keen to head out after his father and brother’s previous evening’s whisky fuelled regaling of their day on the hill. After some glassing of the corrie from the roadside we spotted a likely group of hinds and a plan was made. Stewart would hold back with the Argocat whilst I headed up the hill to make a stalk into the group.

Off we set! As we crossed a burn the heavens opened, hiking in for no more than half an hour we were in a position to get a shot. The rain continued to pour as I gave instruction to my guest, the shot was taken and a beast down.

Shaking my bonnet of water, I quickly instructed Stewart to make a route up to us in the Argocat to help with the extraction. My last words over the radio were, “we have had a lot of rain, if the burn is high let me know and we will drag it down”.

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Raasay, oil on canvas, by Catherine King 46 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Creative Countryside “makes me so happy when they are all arranged nicely in a vase and smelling divine”

By Jade Cruickshank "Summer has arrived in all its glory and as we all know, in Scotland, this can consist of gale force winds and torrential down pours. However, occasionally we get the odd fortnight of those rare, beautiful rays that us Scots love to soak up. The smell of freshly cut grass is a familiar scent along with the fragrance of the garden blooms, honey suckle, gorgeous peonies (my favourite!) and an abundance of cottage garden flowers.

Summer for me resembles a mid-year break, a time to slow down, enjoy the warmer weather and have a rest from all the hard work from Winter and Spring.

It’s a time to pick up the social life again and with that comes all the farm and countryside shows that Scotland has to offer. A few of my picks are the Turriff show, Moy Game Fair and my absolute favourite - The Scottish game Fair - a favourite because of the variety it has to offer.

The Scottish Game Fair covers all aspects of country sports from falconry, sheepdog trials, venison butchery demos, to casting tuition and clay pigeon shooting. You name it, they will have a stall for it.

A great day to dive in and fully immerse yourself in all things country related. My husband and I like to take the kids with us as the fair has lots to offer for children, my two little ones love to watch the sheepdogs herd the runner ducks. The clay pigeon shooting, and archery are big hits too. The food tent is a great way to try new foods especially for the children.

Another part of our social life is the BBQ season. It’s great when it is in full swing, burgers sizzling on the grill and a nice glass of chilled Chablis enjoyed with friends in the garden. It is such a lovely treat after a week’s work. Summer, also means time in the gardens, keeping on top of the weeds, edging, cutting grass with those fancy stripes.

One of the creative jobs I have is to make up bouquets of fresh cut summer blooms and arrange them beautifully. It’s such a joy, and it makes me so happy when they are all arranged nicely in a vase and smelling divine, definitely one of life’s little pleasures.

Family walks in the summer are great. No one complains but if they do, it’s because of the heat and we are most likely to be near a stream or river at some point so cooling off isn’t a problem. The days are longer so you can venture further, we prefer walks with lots of history, the Cabrach, for example, has bags of it.

‘The Buck’ hill at the Cabrach is our ‘go to’ walk. Walking in the height of the summer sun can be hard going but nine times out of ten you are you are likely to get a cool breeze pop out of nowhere. I took up hill-walking when my good friend Steph had her daughter and decided to make sure her maternity leave was an adventure to remember. I accompanied her on lots of walks but could not make every one due to work. Steph has bagged more than 50 trig points during her time off and 90% of them have been with her little girl on her back. Steph is such an inspiration, and has certainly encouraged me to venture more into the stunning Scottish hills.

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"If we get there first, we make a rich wild Gean brandy that trickles down the back of your throat like honey."

Just as much as we love the land, we also love the sea. Most summers we book our fishing trip with Guide Marine Services based in Macduff and Fraserburgh and we go deep sea fishing to catch cod, mackerel, ling, and squid. It’s an amazing family day out and you get to keep what you catch which is always a bonus. Captain Harold is a superb host and will answer any questions if you are unsure. The first time I went deep sea fishing with him, I could not understand why I wasn’t catching anything, but it turns out I was just too used to fly fishing and wasn’t letting my weight on the end of the line sink to the bottom - it was so embarrassing! Harold also offers wildlife tours on his boat which takes you along the Banff coastline to see Puffins, Gannets and if you’re lucky, like we were, you might get a glimpse of a Minke Whale which was truly spectacular.

Summer harvest is just heavenly, it is all the good things. We like to pick our own Elderflowers and make Elderflower cordial and Elderflower syrup (which goes great with some Hendricks and lemonade). Home-grown Strawberries: perfectly ripe and juicy, go great on top of my very naughty Strawberry and cream cake.

Sweet plump Blackcurrants weighing down the stalks are freshly picked and mixed with Pears and turned into a delicious Blackcurrant and Pear Gin. Wild foraging in summer is exciting too!

Especially the race between myself and the birds on who will get to pick the ripe wild Geans (wild cherry) first.

If we get there first, we make a rich wild Gean brandy that trickles down the back of your throat like honey."

Jade's Elder Cordial Recipe Ingredients 900g Caster sugar 2 Limes 2 Lemons 250g Elderflower sprigs 50g Citric Acid (you can buy from chemist).

Method 1. Bring 1.1 litres of water to the boil, then pour over the caster sugar in large mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve. Cut the Lemons and Limes into quarters, stir into the hot syrup and leave to cool.

Meanwhile, rinse the Elderflower sprigs in cold water and drain.

2. Add the Elderflowers and citric acid to the cold syrup and mix. Cover and chill for 48 hours, giving it a stir now and then.

3. Sieve the cordial into sterilized bottles and seal or you can freeze in ice cube trays.

To serve, dilute with chilled still or sparkling water.

"Enjoy!"

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Loch Valtos, Soval Estate, Isle of Lewis by Linda Mellor

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Tales By from a Skye Croft Claire Nicolson

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ummer: sunshine, holidays, days at the beach, sand between the toes? Well...no. Really, no thanks. I have to confess that the word “summer” presents a wee bit of a problem stuck at the top of my page promising an entertaining and positive read. “What’s not to like about summer?” you ask. Where do I start? Light nights, 3am sunrises, itching bites, itching eyes, streaming nose, buzzy things, stinging things, biting things, hot weather, humid weather, busy roads, crowded shops, al fresco dining, salads, ice cream, faffing around with sun cream, and no football - and don’t get me started on sand, “Satan’s Soil”. No, I’ll just grumble away, counting down the days to 1st September when I can dance my wee “it’s all over for another year” jig.

However, as no one is going to read on if I don’t park the rant, I’m challenging myself to embrace summer, to delve into this season so beloved by so many to discover the positives and maybe just convince myself that all is not as bad as it seems...

50 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Summer begins with a wee lull: the hectic lambing season is over, hopefully without too many pet lambs constantly under your feet and hungry; sheep and cattle are out on the hill; the days are stretching and the grasses and wildflowers on the croft showcase their diverse display. Every year I commit to photographing them, finding out all their names but one afternoon I hear the tractor start up and ruefully acknowledge that I’ve missed the opportunity again. By evening, the mower has done its job and we commence unprecedented weather watching. And here I find something to genuinely love about summer, the number one in the Top Ten of Things to Like About Summer: haymaking. There’s just something about it: heading out in the evening light after all the chores are done, just me, Gryff and the Very Long Rake. At just a touch under six foot, with Mr Tickle-esque arms, I already have a good reach but with the VLR I’m like a frenzied insect - raking, turning, raking again, every day the load lighter as the sun works its magic and cooks the grass dry. At some point in the week, if the stars, or at least the big yellow hot one, align, I’ll suddenly become aware of my favourite machinery noise: the bah-dum-thwump of the baler. We’re small scale and any hay we manage to put by for winter is a bonus, it’s just great to give some of the older machinery a run out and baling is an activity guaranteed to get everyone on the croft working together.

I’ve come to realise that many of the tasks I enjoy are quite labour intensive. There are, after-all, far more efficient ways of obliterating invasive twenty foot tall rhododendrons than using just a pair of loppers and a pruning saw, just as bracken bashing by foot stomping alone is not the best use of time nor energy but sometimes it’s the journey rather than the destination that’s important. For me, what matters is being outside, working and physically challenging myself. It’s a far cry from my paid desk job so here then is a way to connect to the land, connect to the old ways, to disconnect my over-active mind and enjoy the rigour and rhythm of manual work. Having extra wee pauchles of hay or additional grazing due to the demise of invasive species is a bonus right enough, but it’s what I get from it physically and emotionally that takes me out rain or shine, in summer sunlight or in winter wildness and it’s highly addictive.

There’s really only one thing that will make me think twice about going out. Well, actually, there are millions of them...midges! As much as I loathe them, they love me! So I mutter and spout oaths, windmill my arms at their clouds - and scratch myself raw for weeks to come. I do have a bug-hood and jacket, guaranteed to make any wearer plummet to the bottom rung of the fashion ladder, and I will don it when required but still there is no pleasure with hordes of meanbh-chuileagan swarming around your head, intent on finding a way in to feast on you.

But wait just a minute! I’ve got it! The best thing about summer?

Easy: after all these years in the international wilderness, we are there: the Euros!

Come on, Scotland!

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Redpoll by Richard MacGregor

52 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Summer fishing

with Simon Barnes

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simbarods.com

h, summer, and those long sunny days ….

Hang on! As I write this we have hardly had our spring yet. It was minus 3 degrees when I took the dogs out this morning and yesterday we had snow showers every hour or so.

The angler in Scotland so looks forward to some summer fishing. Warmer water, fly hatches and fish active.

Summer can come late here. It always makes me laugh to listen to anglers down south who complain about winter temperatures. One said it was so cold the water was only 9 degrees. 9 DEGREES?! I look forward to those temperatures in late May… I remember an agriculturalist talking about days of sunshine in the south compared to up north. They had 235 days of sunshine compared to our measly 135.

What he completely missed though is that our days of sunshine can be so long. In Shetland, at the “Simmer Dim”, there is still enough light to change a fly at midnight – and full sunlight returns by 2.30 a.m. Long days indeed.

But what about the fishing? Well, in my trout farming days I welcomed the rise in temperature. The fish feed more actively and there are many hatches of fly. The temperature increase, whilst welcome, can be too rapid on some of our hydro-electric controlled rivers.

When the water flows are cut suddenly, the rapid rise in temperature can prove troublesome for the resident fish and many can be caught isolated in pools as the water retreats.

This makes them vulnerable to predators and to the danger of the pools drying up – not good.

The lower flows and warmer water benefits the angler for some time. The fish, especially trout, tend to be concentrated and are more easily targeted. Casting a well-placed fly into these fish-holding spots can be very rewarding. As the temperature continues to rise, you may find the trout sitting in the faster current of well oxygenated water. Remember your physics, “as the temperature of a solution increases, its ability to hold gas in solution decreases”. So in the water the amount of oxygen decreases. This however is counter-productive with trout. As the temperature increases so does their metabolic rate and they need more oxygen. The water they choose is the fast, rocky runs of well oxygenated water.

As the angler, you must adapt.

In our many freshwater lochs the same thing happens. The water warms up (especially at the margins) and the trout will retreat to deeper, cooler, and more oxygenated water.

Remembering these facts will help you to catch your quarry.

The choice of fly in summer can be critical. The first flush of spring is over, and the prolific hatch of March browns and large dark olives are over. The trout have fed well on these and are now a little more selective in their choice.

Looking in a trout angler’s flybox is fascinating and bewildering to the non-angler. How do you choose? Some entomological knowledge helps. Who hatches when, where and in what condition? Choose from summer spinners, sedges, mayflies, or heather flies. Being an angler requires not just stealth but serious observation too. What is hatching? How are the fish feeding? Are they taking flies from the surface or just below?

Choosing the right fly makes all the difference. I was fishing with a friend one day, let’s call him Ken (well, that was his name). We were fishing a loch in Sutherland that was known to have a Mayfly hatch.

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Even GPS tracking on our phones is invaluable. I haven’t had the need to use the “What three words” app yet but I have it and the emergency services use it now. I also carry a space blanket. So light but it could save your life. The gold foil can easily be spotted from a distance or from the air.

Sea fishing in summer is extremely popular, and with good reason. The seas are much warmer (eventually) and generally much calmer. Most ports around Scotland will have boats to charter to take you out, for one or two angler or as a group. Immense fun. Off the west coast there is a huge range of fish to be caught (and from the shore marks as well). In fact, one of the pleasures is that you don’t always know what you are going to catch.

The wealth of wildlife to be seen while fishing is stunning. From the diving gannets and rafts of seabirds to dolphins and minke whales. You might even be lucky to see that giant of the sea – the basking shark. Regular sightings can be seen off Coll, Tiree and elsewhere.

Words & Images supplied by Simon

Now these weren’t just wee green Mayflies – these were full-on enormous yellow jobs that looked like a Spanish Galleon when on the surface. Stunning.

However, a study of the ascending nymph showed me they had a greenish tinge as they emerged. So I chose my fly accordingly and after boating three or four fish to Ken’s none (not even an offer), he had to ask me what the successful fly was. I could see him looking forlornly in his box, but he didn’t have one.

After I had caught a few more, he finally asked if he could have one. Just to wind him up, I said “Sure, they’re £2 each”. “What?! I’m not paying you £2.00 for a fly!”

(Ken was noted for his long pockets and short arms). So I continued. The more I caught, the more erratic his casting became with his frustration. Eventually, exasperated, he said “OK. I’ll give you £2”. To which I replied, “well they are so good they’ve gone up to £3!” I still laugh at the look on his face…

Summer fishing in the hill lochs is one of my favourite pastimes. Just being there and lunching in the heather, listening to the skylarks, and having a snooze – wonderful!

There is so much wildlife to see: red deer, otters, hen harriers, golden eagles, and the like. You’re never short of things to watch. Take your binoculars and you will not regret the extra weight.

Safety is a consideration when up in the hills. Best to go with a buddy and let people know where you are headed and your likely time of return.

54 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Up in Shetland, I was enjoying fishing a wee loch on the edge of the mainland where I could see the seals playing and fishing in the sea below me. I sat amongst the sea thrift to watch their noisy activity while I had lunch. After a while, I noticed they had gone very quiet, so I looked down to see why. They had all retreated as close to the shore as possible. Then I saw them, three killer whales, Orcas. What a sight, just 50 metres from the shore. No wonder the seals had shut up! It was almost as if they were pulling up their flippers and going “Eek!”. Fortunately for them, the Orcas just swam on by… seals weren’t on the menu that day.

One downside to summer fishing in Scotland can be the dreaded midge. So do take some midge cream, a midge hat and veil. Usually there is a breeze which helps but watch out if the wind drops. The sun can be very strong so be sure to apply high-factor sun cream. Sunburn in Scotland? Oh yes – it happens.

Ticks can be bothersome. When walking through heather it is easy to pick them up, so I make a point of wearing high-ankle boots with gaiters. Much easier than wellies or waders to walk in and you really don’t need to wade.

I catch most of my trout near the shore, and often very close in so a softly-placed foot and a gentle cast will reap rewards.

So go on, get out there! Space, walking, and fishing are so enjoyable and very good for your mental well-being.

Go, the rewards are immense."

simbarods.com Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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Red Grouse by Linda Mellor

56 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Wild Venison Kebabs

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By India Annand

elicious and easy to throw together, this is the perfect summertime dish. The marinade has a classic barbeque flavour, making the meat even more tender. This recipe can be adapted to being cooked on your grill inside, especially if you are craving kebabs and the weather isn’t permitting a barbeque. Serves 2 Ingredients: Marinade -

400g good quality wild venison meat (I use stew meat; however you could use fillet or saddle if you would prefer) 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon of mustard 1 tablespoon of cumin 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon of smoked salt 1 tablespoon of garlic powder 1 tablespoon of onion powder 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper For the kebabs 1 red pepper chopped roughly 1 red onion chopped roughly

Method: Combine all the ingredients from the marinade in a bowl. Stir in the venison pieces covering them in the marinade sauce. Cover and leave in the fridge for as long as you can. I left mine for 8 hours. However, if you run out of time, don’t worry 45 minutes covered in the fridge should do the trick.

Before your barbecue or grill is ready, roughly chop the red pepper and onion placing them in bowls ready to slide onto the kebab sticks.

When your barbeque is ready, get your bowls of vegetables and the marinated meat out. Place pieces of meat and vegetables on the kebab sticks. Once this is done, depending on the temperature of your barbeque or grill, cook for about two to four minutes on each side.

Serve with salad, wraps and your favourite cocktails somewhere sunny.

Summer old fashioned

This is the perfect summer twist on one of our favourite winterly cocktails. The fresh ginger and maple syrup balance each other perfectly with the bourbon and the wild venison kebabs.

Ingredients 1 shot of bourbon 1 splash of bitters 1 teaspoon of maple syrup Tiny piece of fresh ginger sliced finely Crushed ice Mint leaves Method Add a splash of bitters, maple syrup and the ginger. Mix them together. Add the crushed ice to the top of the tumbler. Add the shot of bourbon and garnish with mint leaves.

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Images: Leopold Amory

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MR & MRS ROD GUN

Never did I imagine that the question ''do you fish?'' at the end of a business phone call would have the potential to be life-changing.

The question was posed to me in the first week of 2017 by Brian Lile; one of the organisers of the annual 'Scottish Deer Stalking Fair' which until that year had always been held in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Brian had a notion to hold the fair in the highlands at the Black Isle Showground and cold called to quiz me about possible exhibitors for a northern venue. Must find out how he got my number!?!

Both being blethers, we chatted for a very long time about all things fieldsports until the fishing question came up. My reply: ''yes, I go fishing...'' and thus a few weeks later, I joined Brian and a group of lovely folks for a March fishing adventure to the River Thurso in Caithness.

In January this year, almost 4 years later, I married Brian's pal Alistair (Ali) Hutchens, who was the trip leader!

That Spring 2017 trip to the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk and River Thurso was very much a return to a part of my past.

Resident on sporting estates in Caithness for nearly 13 years until the autumn of 2008 I'd fished a fair few of the Caithness and Sutherland rivers in my time there. It was nice to be 'home' to the land of big sky where my daughter was born.

58 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

By Cara Hutchens (formerly Richardson)

The gang on the trip was a composite bunch of 12 which included 4 ladies. A few were known to each other, but most had never met before. The group did gel quickly; made all the easier by copious amounts of alcohol, great food, after dinner games, fishy tales, and mad angler banter.

Despite the occasional sleet shower, the fishing trip was both fun and productive; Brian Lile caught a beautiful springer which, estimated at 28lbs (no weigh net to hand!) was thought to be the largest Thurso fish landed (and safely returned) that season. A lady fisher of renown in the group, Ally Bremner, landed a couple of fresh springers too. There were also a few kelts, a puckle of trout and the obligatory stories of that 'one that got away'.

New friendships forged, we all vowed to keep in touch.

In fact, many members of that original group went on to repeat that same spring week on the Thurso in 2018 and 2019. Sadly the scheduled first day of fishing was the first day of lockdown in 2020, so it was a no go.

Ali Hutchens and I hardly chatted during that first ever trip, but we did briefly discuss the idea of organising a charity fund-raiser fishing and shooting (rod & gun) event for ladies. We kept in touch, but it wasn't until some months later that we eventually met for lunch to discuss the idea further... The rest they say is history; it was 'catch and keep'!

At the time of that tide-turning lunch 'date', Ali was living and working in the Scottish Borders and I was based in the Cairngorm National Park operating a Sporting Agency which utilises venues throughout Scotland, the UK and beyond.

A long distance relationship grew and quite swiftly the conclusion was reached that one of us would consider moving to be with the other. Educated in both Tain and Aberdeen, Ali decided that a move back up north was just the ticket.

In addition to each being raised an only child and headstrong as hell, we found that we had a great deal in common with real parallels in our interests. Though it must be said that Ali's exploits were mostly with a fishing rod and mine with shotgun or rifle. We've both been fortunate enough to enjoy many adventures across the globe in a variety of locations from outback Australia to the Arctic Circle.

Our 'us' evolved...we went Facebook official!, bought a dog, then a Quattro, then another dog. Things were getting serious. And on Christmas Day 2019, Ali popped the question, and I said 'yes!'. How lovely...then as we returned from our romantic walk to the vehicle, one of the aforementioned fur babies ran away, and we spent the next 2.5 hours tracking our sounding tracker dog. By the time the darling pup was located in the darkness and we made it back to HQ, we'd missed the Queen's speech and our Christmas dinner so simply opened (another) bottle of fizz and celebrated.

Our wedding day just over a year later was a very simple affair made perfect by a cloudless sky. The permitted gathering of 5 from within our postcode area included one of our 3 daughters, a very best friend, the Registrar, and ourselves. Like so many, our plans for nuptials in 2020 were scuppered and so for a list of reasons, we decided to crack on with the official bit; there will be a blessing and big party some fine day.

In a professional capacity, both are familiar with public facing roles and also attending hunting and fishing Expos in the UK and further afield. Our first foreign trip together was a jaunt to Salzburg for the annual Hohejagd & Fischerei exhibition.

For anyone that has taken part in such shows, they will know that exhibiting may look glamorous, but is often tediously hard work and extremely long hours. However, these shows are a great opportunity to promote all that is fabulous about bonny Scotland, meet up with friends, and share a dram with clients and outfitter colleagues from around the world.

Everyone has been impacted in some way by the C19 restrictions. Both Ali and I sincerely hope that both the home market and visiting clients will be able to properly enjoy the fine fishing and great sport which Scotland has to offer in the not too distant future. We are both passionate about a range of rural topics including fly fishing and tying, rural employment, field-sports and countryside education for our youngsters and sensible conservation. We are both thrilled that Linda has invited us to be regular columnists in this fantastic quarterly.”

Image: Luise Janniche

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UPLAND DEER MANAGEMENT Are Scotland’s Deer Valued as an Asset?

By Linda Mellor

Photo by Linda Mellor

60 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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We are fortunate to have four species of wild deer in Scotland, our native red and roe deer, fallow introduced some 2000 years ago, along with Japanese Sika introduced to deer parks from the late 19th century. We may also consider ourselves fortunate not to have the introduced Reeves muntjac deer now multiplying beyond control in much of England and Wales or Chinese Water Deer.

Deer remain an opinion divider in Scotland, often controversial, and there is constant dialogue in the media about deer numbers and impacts. Needless to say the picture is too complicated to generalise.

For many Scottish residents and for our visitors there is no finer sight than a herd of red deer moving across the magnificent open landscapes of the Highlands or of family groups of the smaller and more graceful roe deer which are now to be seen throughout lowland Scotland and right into the green spaces of our towns and cities.

The magnificent roaring red stag in the Autumn rut has become emblematic of Scotland as seen in the ubiquitous image of Landseer’s “Monarch of the Glens” to be found on postcards, shortbread tins and tourist publications wherever we go. Wild deer are also an economic resource which supports the rural economy through the provision of over 2300 jobs in deer management and offers hunting opportunities for many high spending visitors both from within the UK and overseas. It also supplies our growing venison industry which meets the demand for low carbon healthy eating at a time when we are beginning to question farm meat production as a contributor to global warming.

On the other hand, wild deer in excessive concentrations can cause serious economic loss or environmental damage. At a time when countering the Climate Emergency is a priority for us all and the expansion of woodland is one of the key strategies to increase carbon sequestration, deer and other grazing animals can devastate young trees or require their protection with fencing at significant extra cost. They can also cause damage to agricultural crops, private gardens, and of particular public concern, be the cause of road traffic accidents as they occupy roadside woodlands.

It is now widely understood that our wild deer of all four species need to be controlled although there is a small but vociferous lobby of individuals and organisations which oppose the culling of animal species generally and deer in particular.

The most heated debate revolves around what is the right level of population at any location which allows other land management objectives, including climate change measures, to be met and that is always likely to be a contentious subject. In the red deer range, mostly the Highlands and some of the Islands, this management is coordinated through some 50 deer management groups which have 5 year management plans and agree an annual cull based on a population model and advice from NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage). In the lowlands, where it is not possible to assess deer numbers, the management is largely carried out by individual recreational deer managers and, although less organised, this is also effective in most areas despite a widely shared view that while red deer numbers are now declining, roe deer are expanding their range and numbers in the new wooded habitats that are being created.

After some 40 years on the organisational side of the deer sector, my hope is that, in future, we can value our wild deer as they deserve while taking responsibility for containing their numbers at a level at which they do not do environmental damage.

It should never be a case of environment OR deer but of environment AND deer.”

Richard Cooke, Chair of the Association of Deer Management Groups.

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“

Sadly, through no fault of their own, changes and attitudes towards deer in Scotland have now categorised the status of this animal to that of vermin. After a lifetime working with deer, providing sensible management policies are in place, I never found deer to be a problem.

Yes, there were too many red deer in Scotland and to their credit, the then Red Deer Commission (RDC) tried to persuade landowners to reduce their deer numbers, but to no avail. However, equally responsible for the current situation are Forest and Land Scotland (FLS) and NatureScot. Both are reputed authorities in deer management, and both have failed miserably. The unacceptable deer damage within the National Forest Estate is down to an understaffed team of forest rangers and badly designed forests with little or no thought on future deer control. Both organisations should know the problems and impacts unfenced forestry schemes create in the middle of the red deer range yet both either fund or promote these schemes.

In severe winter conditions, a ban on wild-fowl shooting is enacted. Yet, deer, including hinds heavy in calf, are harassed and persecuted in forestry and on the open hill.

The closed seasons for deer were originally designed on welfare issues but are now virtually meaningless.

There is no substitute for practical experience and local knowledge. Therefore, it’s important that the men on the ground, whether in forestry or on the open hill, are included in discussions related to deer management, proposed forestry schemes, fence placement and cull timescales. A return to sensible management policies on the open hill and in forestry is required to stop the endless slaughter of Scotland’s deer population.

For a sustainable, healthy and balanced deer population you require accurate deer counts. Therefore it is essential, if a deer count is abandoned due to weather conditions, the count starts at the beginning when it is resumed, otherwise deer may be missed or counted twice. Regular deer and recruitment counts should be carried out on a yearly basis after the hind cull is over, as this gives deer managers up-to-date information on any adjustments required for future management policies. Habitat assessments should also be undertaken, as this gives a better understanding of the impacts of deer. Also included should be the impacts of hares, rabbits, sheep and the human footprint, something NatureScot is reluctant to address.

However, until there’s a change of attitude towards the use of fencing, the ongoing slaughter of deer will continue. The unacceptably high numbers of deer now shot out of season is a disgrace, especially when one thinks back to the numbers of deer there were, generally, fifty years ago. During that era, all forestry and agricultural interests in upper Deeside where I worked were protected by a six- foot- high- deer proof fence. Yet, in extreme winter conditions, the numbers of deer shot out of season was minimal.

Not only is the obsession for tree expansion a major threat for the future of deer and people’s livelihoods, it is also a threat to our heather moorland, our moorland birds, the mountain hare and the golden eagle. Red grouse and the mountain hare are the main prey species of the golden eagle. All three live or breed on heather moorland as do the curlew and lapwing. Has anyone thought what the future holds for them?”

Peter Fraser, Vice Chairman, Scottish Gamekeepers Association.

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With a focus on slowing down climate change, Scotland’s countryside is moving to improve biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions. Our awareness of the value of biodiversity has increased and so too has our interest in land use and re-wilding. Our ecosystems (soils, flora, fauna, land, water, and air) function together and exist everywhere from ponds to rivers, plantations to forests, lochs, and seas. Our native deer are a natural contributor to the ecosystem and perform an important ecological role in diversifying woodlands, opening up clearings, spreading seeds in their dung and as carrion for golden eagles, pine martens, foxes, and other wildlife.

Humans, trees, and deer have had a long relationship. Some conservationists singled out deer as the main culprit of preventing the growth of woodlands and shrubs. However, many traditional sporting estates with deer populations, have used their land and deer knowledge to improve biodiversity, and retain deer, and have been doing so for decades. Deer have roamed estates where new plantations were created, some of the more established ones have trees in excess of thirty years old. Many estates have years of conservation and regeneration work under their belt: participation in native woodland regeneration and retention schemes, commercial plantations, peatland restoration, habitat and wildlife monitoring and conservation programs. All Scotland’s land is managed to a greater or lesser degree, and yet the countryside retains its wild, evocative global appeal. Estates across Scotland, with a deer population, have implemented environmentally friendly management policies and are typically rich in animals and bird species, and many are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). *Scotland has 1,442 SSSIs: areas of land and water that Nature.Scot consider best represent Scotland’s natural heritage in terms of their flora, fauna, and geology.

Highland sporting estates are champions of conservation, and continue to adapt to the changing world by growing woodlands and expanding their forests, nurturing their ecosystems, supporting extensive species of wildlife, and managing their deer. They have invested in land and species management so they may all co-exist and thrive.

Estates with deer are also destinations for tourists. Shooting lodges, once popular with Victorians hunting parties, have been turned into luxury, holiday accommodation. Estates are hubs for country sports and outdoor activities: water sports, wildlife watching, forest walks and photography (who doesn't want to photograph deer?) tours, TV and film locations, wedding venues, yoga retreats and so on. Remote hillside bothies appeal to the new wave of off-grid enthusiasts. Country estates also retain, through professional management, a sustainable population of wild deer, an animal always associated with the hills, and glens of Scotland.

The collective understanding of the value of being outdoors has increased as more people explore the countryside. Part of that rural experience is adventuring into the wide open spaces to enjoy the natural beauty of our land and wildlife. Ask countryside visitors what species they would like to see, and deer will be on that list along with golden eagles.

With the effects of climate change, new developments and differing aspects of land management, Scotland has adapted. The UK’s largest land mammal, the red deer, has proved to be an adaptive species over the centuries. On many estates across Scotland, deer are celebrated and controlled, and co-exist with trees and other wildlife. Deer, like the Scottish landscape, are considered an asset.”

Linda Mellor, Editor Scotland in 4 Seasons, Photographer & Author.

Reference: * https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/sites-special-scientific-interest-sssis

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Photo by Linda Mellor

International Hunting Scotland is a long-established and reliable hunting, shooting and fishing agency based in the Highlands of Scotland.

They offer bespoke packages which can include sporting activities, accommodation, cultural tours, transfers and all hospitality services.

Facilities are utilised throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK and various fantastic locations around the world. They have many international outfitter partners and a varied global client base of satisfied customers, many of whom return year after year.

See us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

www.internationalhuntingscotland.com 64 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Scottish Wild Venison Charcuterie salami - chorizo - pepperoni - smoked venison - bresaola Made in the heart of the Scottish Highlands from locally sourced wild venison.

Our charcuterie is available from independent retailers across the country or buy direct from our online store.

info@greatglencharcuterie.com

01397 712121

WWW.GREATGLENCHARCUTERIE.COM

Deer Stalking in Scotland

www.countrysportscotland.com

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) represents and unites Scotland’s gamekeepers, stalkers, ghillies, wildlife managers and rangers. We represent and defend the interests of our members and promote education and best practice in gamekeeping, highlighting the significant contribution our members make to Scotland’s economy, environment, biodiversity and larder.

Join today: www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

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Croot’s Country Store are a family run business selling an extensive range of outdoor clothing for men and women.

Stockists of Gateway1 and Dedito boots.

Dunoon’s only RFD, and a Zeiss premier dealer and product tester. We stock Hull cartridges along with all the major brands in ammunition and rifles eg Sako, tikka, federal, and CCI. We are a Skinners dog food agent, and stock a range of Scottish products: honey, bird food, soap and candles.

Holy Loch Marina, Dunoon PA23 8FE 66 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

www.crootscountrystore.com

WILDLIFE ESTATES SCOTLAND: WE Act for Biodiversity

Across Scotland there is a significant amount of biodiversity conservation and enhancement being undertaken by responsible landowners and land managers. As custodians of the land, many landowners, farmers, keepers, foresters, ghillies and rangers (amongst others) recognise their responsibility to enhance the natural environment around them and not simply to make it pay. This effort, however, is often overlooked. In a bid to recognise their hard work in a wider arena, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), in partnership with Nature Scot (previously SNH), established the Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation scheme. The Wildlife Estates label is established in 19 countries across Europe, not as an initiative of the EU, but conceived by the European Landowners Organisation (ELO). In Scotland, however, WES believed that the conservation efforts of all deserving land managers needed to be recognised.

Very often landowners and their employees are undertaking their own habitat enhancement without subsidies or grants and without ‘blowing their own trumpets’, for want of a better term and so WES was introduced as a mark of quality attributed to the very best examples of responsible, integrated and biodiversity-focused land management.

WES, which is supported by the Scottish Government and Nature Scot and managed by SLE, aims to promote the best habitat and wildlife management practices, build recognition and raise standards through the introduction of an objective, independently assessed, accreditation system.

There are two levels: Level 1 which is a supporter level requiring a signature to ten commitments based around best practice management principles; and Level 2 which is the accreditation level. Within level 2, the landholding might sit at bronze, silver or gold level depending on pass mark.

Assessments are scored on commitment to best practice, community engagement, adoption of wildlife and habitat management plans, maintaining species and habitat records and conservation and collaborative work as well as their integration with other land management activities.

Accreditation is based on the combined score achieved for each of these sections, a qualitative assessment of management and site visits, all of which are conducted by an objective, external assessor.

Estates, farms, nature reserves and other land-based businesses play a crucial role in conserving and protecting our environment and only those found to meet the highest standards can be accredited by WES. Accreditation serves to illustrate their efforts to the wider world.

The scheme is relatively young, having only accredited its first ten pilot participants in 2013, however to date, WES have 170 landholdings committed to the scheme at Level 1 and 60 landholdings accredited. These holdings take a variety of approaches to land management including farming, hunting, forestry, tourism and altruism. Every five years accredited landholdings are audited. During this re-assessment phase, the application form must be updated to reflect current species data and landholdings must again undergo a site assessment by the independent assessor who must see an improvement in biodiversity for the holding to continue at the same level in the scheme.

All of the logos of organisational bodies who sit wither on WES’s Advisory Board or Technical Committee can be seen in the Figure. These bodies all recognise that they share a common goal in desiring the co-ordinated, landscape-scale enhancement of biodiversity across Scotland and support WES’s efforts to achieve this objective.

If you would like to keep up-to-date with what is happening with WES, please feel free to follow us on social media: @WildlifeEstatesScotland @WildlifeEstates @wildlifeestates_scotland

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Weather Reporting The highs and lows

Words and Images by Neil Cunningham Dobson “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather”. ~ John Ruskin.

"Weather forecasts. Today we take these for granted. That peek out the window or going out the front or back of your home to check the weather before leaving has greatly evolved. With the internet and mobile phones a few clicks can get you the latest weather information. Rain radars, wind direction and force, temperature maps, snow reports, wave, and tides. All news channels, radio channels and newspapers all provide weather reports. You name it, you can get it. Weather reports to suit all sports and outdoor activities, farming, maritime and aviation.

What is our fascination with the weather?

You can’t change or control the weather. Living in Scotland it’s not unusual to see four seasons of weather in one day. Many people love a good storm or blizzard, and social media platforms are awash with images during and after bad weather events. Some people are obsessed by the weather and today’s internet and weather-related media certainly fuel that obsession. Weather phobias are a thing. Ancraophobia is the fear of wind. Ombrophobia the fear of rain and Chionophobia the fear of snow. Tonitrophobia felt by humans and animals is the fear of thunder and lightning.

Personally, for me weather watching, and forecasting is an important part of my working life. As an offshore professional working in the oceans of the world weather forecasting is important. I can go as far to say that I admit I am a little obsessed with weather. I loved meteorology as a subject whilst at Leith Nautical college and I love photographing interesting cloud formations and weather.

Farming, land management and fishing are the backbone that forms Scotland. Weather and weather forecasting can have a real impact on livelihoods. It is strategic for farmers in planting and harvesting crops. It’s important to prepare for severe storms and weather, flooding, and coastal damage from the sea.

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How did our ancestors forecast the weather? Around 4000 BC our Neolithic ancestors brought agriculture to our lands.

Along with agriculture they brought early knowledge of the study of the cycles of the sun and moon. The many stone circles and henges around Scotland were early “instruments” to record movements of the sun and moon, and the different seasons. From these observations the seasons could be determined, along with weather patterns. All these observations determined the Celtic calendar.

Christianity took root in Scotland during the 5th to 7th centuries. Christians added saint’s names to the significant dates and seasons of the Celtic calendar. By the time Christianity became the main religion in Scotland the Christian calendar was the system used in planning the agricultural year.

For centuries weather forecasting was based on the observations by farmers, people that worked outdoors, fishermen and sailors of the environment around them and the way animals and nature react to weather. A whole folklore language of weather forecasting was established and is still used today.

Here are a few of the most well-known.

The all-time classic used by farmers and sailors: “Red sky at night, shepherd/sailor's delight, red sky in the morning, shepherd/sailor's warning”.

Areas of low pressure (depressions) normally travel from west to east across Scotland. The rising sun and red sky indicating low pressure (bad weather) is on its way and a red sky at night with a setting sun indicating the area of low pressure has passed.

One that is close to my heart: “Mackerel sky and mare's tails make tall ships carry low sails”.

Mackerel skies and mare’s tails are cloud formations that are associated with the approach of low pressure and bad weather. In bad weather sailing ships would lower and reef in their sails. Many weather rhymes are international and not just specific to one country. A weather rhyme that is used widely used around the world is:

“Swallows fly high, clear blue sky; swallows fly low, rain we shall know”.

Swallows and other birds hunt insects that have been carried up in the warm air column by thermals. With rain and low pressure, the insects are forced down to lower levels.

Can animals forecast the weather? Observing how animals behave in certain weather conditions has produced many folklore rhymes. If a herd cows lie down on the grass, it’s a sign that rain is on the way. One for the gamekeepers. Do pheasants fly better in low pressure dull days or better in high pressure sunny days?

Personally, I don’t think that animals can predict the weather.

Maybe they can sense signals and changes in the environment long before humans do. Us humans just observe animals to act oddly and to hide or flee for safety.

Even today when very accurate weather forecasts are available at the press of a button people still use the traditional weather rhymes. They work! We may even get new rhymes that represent the climate change the planet is going through. What part does science play in weather forecasting?

Scientific weather forecasting started with classical astronomy as way back as the 2nd century with Claudius Ptolemy an Egyptian astronomer, mathematician, and geographer.

“FitzRoy started to roll out the barometers. He decided that Scottish coastal towns should be first as they had the severest weather conditions.”

During the 9th century Arab philosophers improved on Ptolemy’s research but it took until the 11th century to the 13th century before scholars in Europe were developing astronomy and weather forecasting. It was evident to the 14th century scientists and scholars that making detailed observations of the weather and correlating them with weather forecasts was the way ahead.

With the advent of the printing press in the 15th century it allowed the mass publication of almanacs on the movement of planets and the weather. Galileo in the 16th century is credited with inventing the thermoscope which was forerunner of the thermometer. In 1643 the Italian physicist and mathematician Evangelista Torricelli invented the barometer which enabled air pressure to be measured and this record high and low air pressure that is associated with good and bad weather. In 1714, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the first mercury thermometer, and in 1724 developed the Fahrenheit Scale.

Swedish Astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742 devised the centigrade scale or Celsius scale. Using thermometers and barometers together made for better weather forecasting.

However, it was not until 19th century that we see the birth of reliable weather forecasting. One of my all-time maritime heroes the Suffolk born Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy. In 1854 he founded the Meteorological Department of the Board of Trade which later became today’s Met Office (Meteorological Office). Initially his department was a chart depot producing wind charts that would reduce sailing times making cargo ship voyages more profitable but as a pioneering meteorologist he provided ship captains with loaned instruments to collect weather data from which he could make accurate daily weather predictions. He penned the name “forecasts” for these predictions.

FitzRoy was genuinely concerned about the huge loss of lives from wrecked ships around the coast of the UK. Reliable forecasts of approaching storms could save lives. He wrote to the Royal Society at the Kew Observatory in London requesting assistance in devising standard meteorological instruments for use on board Royal Navy ships. In 1855 he was successful in accomplishing this. Concerned for fishermen, in 1857 he wrote to the London scientific instrument makers Negretti & Zambra asking them to produce sturdy and easy to read barometers that could be placed at coastal harbours around the UK and Ireland.

By June 1858 FitzRoy started to roll out the barometers. He decided that Scottish coastal towns should be first as they had the severest weather conditions. The barometers were solidly built, easy to read and about two feet high. They were built into a strong case that could be recessed into a wall and stood up to the rigours of Scottish coastal weather. These barometers would allow local fishermen to predict storms that would normally take them by surprise.

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“He never saw the full success of his work and the contribution he made to the saving of lives at sea. He was a pioneering meteorologist and founding father of the Met Office.”

The trials were a great success. Testimony of a Victorian government body with all its rules, regulations and obsession with record keeping working with poor, uneducated and illiterate fishermen with a common goal of making life at sea safer.

In 1890 an Admiral FitzRoy Marine Barometer, Serial number: 367815, was gifted to the fishermen of St Andrews and was built into the corner wall at 35 North Street South on the corner of North Castle Street. St Andrews has been the home of a fishing community for centuries.

This location was the centre of the fishing community, since 1158. Initially known as the Fishergate it was renamed the Ladyhead by the mid-19th century. The fishing community of St Andrews was a close-knit one. Many of the fishing families lived in small two roomed houses known as “but and bens”.

With the lack of space in these houses the streets of the Ladyhead were bustling with the fishwives mending nets, preparing fish along with the storage of fishing gear. It was the perfect area to site a barometer.

In 1988 the barometer was restored by the St Andrews Preservation Trust. The top section consists of a barometer which is correct for height above sea level. The lower section consists of an Admiral FitzRoy Storm Glass and an open tube barometer. The storm glass It contains camphor dissolved in water which will show clear in warm weather and will go cloudy in cold weather.

On the corner of the west graveyard wall of the cathedral next to the War Memorial, there are the remains of the wooden box recessed into the stone pillar of the wall that once contained a barometer. This barometer was gifted and placed into the cathedral wall by Alexander Harley Cunningham of A&J Cunningham at the West Port. To date no records have been discovered as to the type and maker.

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It is interesting that there are two marine barometers so close to each other. I have yet to find the answer. For the fishermen that could not read or write it was usually up to a chosen person within the fishing community to disseminate the results of the observations of the barometers and storm glass to the fishermen.

Sadly, FitzRoy who suffered from bouts of depression took his own life in 1865. He never saw the full success of his work and the contribution he made to the saving of lives at sea. He was a pioneering meteorologist and founding father of the Met Office. He made accurate weather forecasting a reality.

Weather forecasting improved greatly with the advent of the electric telegraph invented by Samuel Morse during the 1830s and 1840s. Information on weather could be sent all over countries and continents and from this much more detailed maps and more accurate predictions could be made.

The 20th century saw great advancement in the science and tools for meteorology. Weather balloons could sample the atmosphere. WWII saw the development of weather radar.

Weather is observed and studied from space. Now in the 21st century weather forecasts and data are available 24 hours of the day at the push of a button.

Science is now discovering that climate change is affecting weather predictions. Weather forecasters may soon be adding information about the effects of climate change to their reports.

We are already seeing the effects of climate change on weather all over the world.

Marine weather barometers can be found at many of Scotland’s coastal harbours. Next time you are out exploring Scotland’s amazing fishing harbours take time to find a marine barometer and find out what the weather is going to be for the rest of your day. Marine barometer spotting may become the next new craze!

For many of us that work the land, the coast, and the seas of Scotland, understanding the weather through all the seasons is a daily part of our lives. I like to think that we will still use the folklore rhymes along with what 21st century technology brings us.

I leave you with following quote."

“On cable TV they have a weather channel - 24 hours of weather. We had something like that where I grew up. We called it a window”. ~ Dan Spencer, baseball coach.

N

eil Cunningham Dobson is a deep-water marine archaeologist and salvor with over 47 yearsexperience in the marine and offshore industries. A native of Fife, Neil lives in St Andrews, the home of his seafaring ancestors.

He has worked on scores of shipwreck sites and supervised archaeological and salvage work on many high-profile projects in the oceans of the world.

Neil is gifted with the unique ability to make science, history and archaeology understandable, interesting, and fun.

His shipwrecks and discoveries attract world-wide attention. Neil has been the subject of many newspaper, magazine articles and TV documentaries.

Passionate about local history and Scotland, Neil enjoys his role as Fife Council Fife Ambassador promoting the Kingdom of Fife. He has recently expanded promotion of Fife with his bespoke walking tour/guide company, Footsteps Through Time (find on Facebook).

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FOREVER SCOTLAND with Lois McCulloch

Each season we talk to Scots living elsewhere and ask how they keep their connection to Scotland alive Words & Images by Lois McCulloch

This is when my passion for the Highland Pony, the working cocker spaniel, and my love for running in the local Highland games hill races truly begun.

I moved on from Balmoral to manage the Highland pony herd for Mr and Mrs Wirth on Invercauld estate for a year in which the majority of my time was spent on the Scottish hills working closely with the Gamekeepers. I was fortunate enough that Mr and Mrs Wirth gave me a year’s sabbatical to go travelling (little did I know then that it would lead to not returning!).

“

I started my life as what the Australians would call a ‘POME’ (prisoner of Mother England) I was born in Kingston Upon Thames. This however was short lived and along with my mum we moved to Scotland when I was a young child.

For the most part of my childhood into adulthood we lived on the bonnie Black Isle, famously known for its sandy beaches, the Moray Firth Dolphins, and the Black Isle Brewery. But it wasn’t until I had graduated from college in Thurso having studied Equine Science and moved to Royal Deeside, that my love for our country, our animals and culture was set alight.

I was honoured to have been asked to take position on Balmoral Estate as Stud hand where I spent just short of four years assisting with the breeding, training, and pony ghillying of Highland Ponies for the royal family and their guests. Along with the sporting estate lifestyle of driven and walked up grouse shoot days, deer stalking, and of course the annual Ghillies Ball. We were also fortunate to compete in the Agricultural Shows such as the annual Royal Highland Show and Scone Game Fair: Fred Taylor’s working hill pony class.

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I travelled throughout Australia from Melbourne to The Cape but settled in what I consider the most beautiful of Australia, rightly named - The Scenic Rim in Queensland.

Here I have been very lucky to have worked for one of Queensland’s leading Thoroughbred studs, Glenlogan Park as their Foaling Unit Manager for 5 years and now at Aquis in the breaking and pre-training barn. The Gold Coast is only a short 45 minute drive and the City of Brisbane an hours drive.

After meeting my now fiancé Clint, I learned of his keen interest of hunting deer and other animals from around the world which now hang proudly on our walls. So far we have Red (New Zealand), Chital (Northern QLD) Rusa (SE QLD), Sika (New Zealand), Roe (from Invercauld Estate, Scotland), Fallow Deer (New Zealand) as well as Himalayan Tahr (New Zealand), Araprawa Ram (New Zealand) and a Mid Asian Ibex (Kyrgyzstan). Our son, aptly named a strong Scottish name, Murdo, was witness at 2 years old to hunting a Rusa deer.

Being so far away from “home” makes trying to keep my connection with Scotland that little bit harder. So I went in search to see if there were any Highland Ponies in Australia and couldn’t believe it when I found Sue Jarman’s Rosemarkie Highlands only a short (5 hour) drive from me, in GlenInnes, NSW. She was kind enough to sell me a mare to which three years later I now have my first bred foal who is the foundation of my Highland Pony stud - Auchallater Highlands. I’ve imported my working cocker spaniel as well as semen and together have set up my kennels Auchallater WCS as only one of five registered breeders for the working cocker spaniels breed for the entirety of Australia.

And finally although there may not be many Highland games over here I have taken up the sport of ultramarathon running to explore this country and to get that thrill of mountain climbing back.

I may miss my family back home and long for them to be closer but having my Scottish roots engrained in me will forever see me looking to home. For now however, I can only hope that our covid-19 situation starts to ease enough that I can return home and visit my favourite places; The Cairngorm mountain range for hiking (I feel we all too often take for granted our right to roam in Scotland) and to run the infamous Lairig Ghru Hill race again. Which consists of 42km course from Braemar police station through the Cairngorms via the Lairig Ghru glen to Aviemore police station, hosted by the Deeside Runners. This was my goal race in 2019 - 9 months after having my son. I’d also like to maybe just maybe finally get the chance to experience the Edinburgh Tattoo! We can but hope!”

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Scotland in Focus with Alan Scott

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cotland’s only Balloon Festival started life in 1999 as a fairly quiet affair. The first memory I had of it was probably in 2000. I was having breakfast with the kids and for some reason looked out the kitchen window to see a Balloon’s basket bumping across the field opposite trying to land.

At that moment, the Balloons grabbed my attention. We were soon over in the field talking to the balloonists and the kids thought it was brilliant. The festival has grown dramatically over the last 20+ years to now attracting over 40,000 visitors over the weekend and is one of the top 3 Balloon Festivals in the UK. It really benefits all the local restaurants, cafes, shops & hotels.

The town also boasts several other events like “Hangar Fest” which is a music festival initially based in Strathaven’s airfield but now is thriving in all the pubs, halls, hotels & cafes. There is a Gala week, Folk festivals & more keeping this market town a vibrant fun place to live.

There are flights, weather permitting, on the Friday evening, dawn Saturday, dawn Sunday, Sunday evening and the Saturday night highlight is the Evening Glow where all the Balloons are tethered in the park lit up making a fantastic spectacle. I love getting up at dawn over the weekend and wandering around the town following the balloons with my camera. Watching them rise out of the park floating up beyond Strathaven’s buildings, spires, and hills. Then off in whatever direction the wind takes them.

My next ambition is to somehow blag a lift in a balloon and get to do some photography of Strathaven from above.

F

rom an unsuccessful evening’s fishing - a flat calm might provide a poor evening’s fishing, but it does set up a great opportunity for photography. It was almost surreal with the moon reflecting off the surface too. I was just so glad I had the camera in the car and was able to capture this otherworldly scene. Glengavel is very seldom a mirror of flat calm. The Reservoir sits at approximately 950 ft above sea level and as a result is blessed with an almost constant breeze. However, it is a place to fear when the wind drops as the humble midgey can appear and even if you have been bathing in “Skin so Soft” it is best to make a run for it.

I managed to hold on for a while trying to get the best shot possible and was sure the light could improve but eventually common sense got the better of me and I beat a hasty retreat.

Glengavel Reservoir is run for angling by the Upper Avon Angling Association. It’s full of beautiful wild buttery golden Brown Trout due to the golden whisky coloured water probably the shade of an 18-year-old Glenmorangie.

The club also supplement the stock from their own hatchery and rearing ponds. Where the fish are grown on - non intensively from indigenous Upper Avon brood stock and trickle stocked in the loch when a wee boost to the fishing is required.

The fishing was once part of the Duke of Hamilton’s Estate and close to Dungavel House which was his shooting lodge and where he moved to when the Palace at Hamilton subsided due to mine workings. Where you see the forestry around Dungavel, it was once one of the best Grouse Moors around. There is one of the old shooting bothies still standing you might just be able to see it in the photo. It sits above the viaduct in a glen where it has been protected from the worst of the weather. I’ve often imagined it in the 1930’s with the Duke and his guests enjoying a summer's afternoon outdoors with the picnic blankets and the hampers all laid out. The bothy unfortunately is now on its last legs but there is still evidence of the quality of the cabinet makers craftsmanship in the decaying woodwork.

There are several great stories about Dungavel House: it had a short runway and this was where Rudolf Hess was headed to meet the Duke of Hamilton to sue for peace using Hamilton as a mediator in 1941 when he missed his target and crashed his Messerschmitt into a field near Eaglesham.

Then there is story about a heavily veiled Russian Princess in the Glengavel area in the 1920’s….."

Words & Images by Alan Scott.

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My Outdoors

T

here’s an aspect of the great outdoors which is very close to my heart but is not perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the range of fantastic opportunities we have to get out and about in Scotland in summer (at least, in “normal” non-Covid times).

A regular outing to go diving is top of my list. Early Sunday morning - heading west from Crieff with my pal and his RHIB, quiet roads, high cloud, light breeze, anticipation of a Grand Day Out. We meet a few other like-minded good pals at a slip near Oban and squeeze ourselves into black neoprene (over-eating during lockdown telling here). So far, so strange you may well think.

On this calm summer day, a favourable and gentle westerly, in July and the sea temperature has finally reached a balmy 11 degrees, there will be a confab to select our destination. We’re spoilt for choice. Turn right off the slip, up the Sound of Kerrera and then strike north-west for Lismore? Where we once saw 2 statues standing side by side on the rocks at the water’s edge, each about a metre tall, inscrutable, and completely still and less than 20 metres away from our boat. In slow-mo, the sea eagles took to the air and revealed their white tails as they soared over the ruins of the old lighthouse keepers’ cottages to the far side of the island and away.

Lunch on Lismore allows us to stroll around the cottage ruins and admire the lovely unique island wildflowers, butterflies and other inhabitants who make the most of this peaceful, quiet, and clean habitat. Then stand at the lighthouse and look through all points of the compass. A stunning vantage point in the centre of the Sound where the currents meet and swirl with awesome power – this must be high on the list of best panoramic coastline scenes of Scotland; this one will extract your breath. Up Loch Linnhe towards the Great Glen, or turn and look up the Sound of Mull, and turn again to the south and Colonsay. It feels like the centre of the universe.

Or we could head south to the Garvellach islands – food is never far from a diver’s thoughts, so this is a chance to take our lunch break at the wee Easdale café – The Puffer Bar – amazing cakes.

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by Jane Barnes

Back to the diving though –there is something addictive about putting on a lot of cumbersome kit and throwing yourself off a boat into cold Scottish water – I suspect there is more than air in that bottle on my back.

The clarity of the water here can be excellent, as we go farther from civilisation, dredgers, and fish farms. The underwater boulders and rock formations and walls covered with multi-coloured anemones and urchins – not visible on land-based adventures.

If it’s a neap tide we could head towards the Sound of Mull and the Cardinal Buoy which marks a beautiful reef. Waiting on the boat for the second group of divers to surface, I can sit and watch the standing wave rise out of nowhere, feel the sea’s rhythm calm and heal the stressed heid.

On top of all that, or rather, below, is the amazing variety and beauty of the flora and fauna of the sea. I am very fortunate to have seen a little of this fascinating environment for myself. A vast array of extraordinary plants, fish and other life from psychedelic glittering cuckoo wrasse which can change their sex to the clever curious little octopus peeking back at you through the kelp. You know instinctively that you are dealing with a higher intelligence in its own environment. Then the playful young seals laughing at your poor buoyancy skills – don’t try and tell me they have no sense of humour. There is no substitute for experiencing these creatures, but photos will have to do for now.

More info on learning to dive in Scotland can be found online: The British Sub-Aqua Club website - www.bsac.com or at the Puffin Dive Centre near Oban - www.puffin.org.uk Photos by David Wilson

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Walkies

by Joanne Dovesi

“

As I marched up the hill I noticed the small remnants of all the eggs rolled down the hill on Easter Sunday. Their shells scattered on the ground like pieces of broken china, but not for long as the 4-legged Hoovers scurry around to clear up. I quickly gathered them together and we made our way to the top of the hill. It was a glorious day in the Capital and the view is spectacular. I took a deep breath, and stopped to appreciate just how lucky I am to have the job I have. Out in the fresh air and walking with my favourite animals. Their antics always make me laugh (well, most of the time).

One of my best-loved walks is on the beach. The dogs go mad in the sand and it’s great to see them running in to the waves. Nora, the black Labrador, always manages to find a dead crab or something else deceased to chew on. I try my best to prise it from her jaws, but she is very determined, and usually wins the tug of war. I always keep my fingers crossed that it doesn’t re-surface in the car later. The smell is a sure give away. As we make our way along the beach the dogs dig holes in the sand and there’s the usual scuffles over a stick or a piece of seaweed. One of my dogs is an ex-service dog so he is the most obedient one of the group. I only have to shout heel and he is there, right by my side.

I wish they all behaved like that, it’s usually only when the word ‘treat’ is mentioned, that I get any kind of response.

One of the new dogs that has joined the group is a little Dachshund. He is only 10 months old but has fitted in really well and is a real little gentleman with all the dogs. I think they have taken him under their wing (paw) as he is the youngest.

He trots along and tries to keep up with the rest, but his little legs only go so fast. I usually have to carry him towards the end of the walk as he gets tired.

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Walks in the woodlands are another of my favourites. I love the smell of the vegetation and the earth. The sound the wind makes through the trees is calming and there are plenty of smells for the dogs to chase.

There are so many different colours speckled throughout the woods. Every shade of green and the vibrant colours of the Rhododendron flowers which are magnificent. It’s such a shame their flowers don’t smell but they make up for it with their fabulous blooms. Trying to navigate through the woods with some of the dogs on a lead is tricky: roots can be a hazard, it’s like I’m dancing the Highland Fling when I’m jumping between them. The dogs pull me onwards, eager to get on with the walk. I’ve had a few falls but nothing serious, luckily. I’m always met with a big wet nose and sloppy tongue licking my face to make sure I’m ok. I dust myself off and carry on.

As we come to the edge of the woods we head down to the river for a well-deserved drink and to cool off, not me, just the dogs. They usually splash around enough to soak me so I might as well just jump in with them. Afterwards, we head off and the walk comes to an end for another day. A quick dry off and then home for everyone. By this time, the dogs are tired (and so am I) and its peace and quiet at last.

I look forward to a new day, with new challenges, new experiences and possibly a new bundle of fun to join our group.

One of my favourite places I've visited in Scotland has to be Braemar. The summery weather was glorious, it was so warm, and the river walks were enchanting.

We walked for miles, following the winding river, and taking a break by a bridge to catch our breath. As we walked through the heather, little moths flew all around us, it looked like it was snowing. We finished the day with a drink, and looked out on to the park that hosts the Braemar Gathering. One day, I hope to attend the Gathering.

I love these style of magical weekends and I look forward to travelling again very soon."

The Simple Life

By Wills Kass

“

Minnie our Jack Russell at age 13 isn’t as capable as she used to be at stopping the rabbits digging up the lawn, but we now have a new weapon. The Stoat that lives under our wood pile, although we think it demolished our Quail, can be spotted hunting the banking in the garden. Now Minnie has some help in keeping the garden rabbit free.

A walk along to the pond to check on the Signets that hatched the end of May is always a sight to see. Swans take around 2 to 3 weeks to build their nest. One egg is laid every 12-24 hours hence it may take 2 to 3 weeks the incubated by both parents with hatching 6 weeks later. There are a few predators that can swim to the little island on the pond. The parents defend the island as best they can but sadly some of the Signets are taken, but this is nature.

The Asters are full of Bees and Butterflies busy pollinating as they feed. Lou has left patches of the garden and the banking uncultivated full of wild flowers, weeds, Dandelions and Brambles for the insects to do their important work. Our Cherry plum Tree blossom was amazing this year and has formed the small fruits. We can’t wait to make Cherry plum pies, Rhubarb ice cream and Cherry plum gin. These are just a few of the recipes I like to make throughout the summer. I usually pick the fruit between June and August. This year, Lou is going to try his hand at making cider with the enormous amount of Apples we pick from the two old trees at the bottom of our garden. We have Bramleys to cook with and an unknown type of red eating Apple. As we cannot cope with the amount of apples that these old trees provide we like to leave fallen fruit for the late autumn /winter for the deer to consume. As they rot and ferment the birds and insects also pick away at the fruit."

The Spring flowers have completed their beautiful display around the garden and Summer has arrived.

Looking around the herbaceous border we have sadly lost a number of plants and shrubs due to the hard Winter and frosty Spring. We have replaced these with Lavender Thyme and Rosemary. Hopefully, the gaps in the flower beds will fill in soon. All the songbirds are busy nesting and bringing up new broods to replace the numbers lost over these hard previous seasons. We need them to recover fast. Next year’s Dawn Chorus depends on it.

The heat of the morning sun is a most welcome feeling of well-being and joy, not just for us but all the wildlife around. Our Pygmy goats sprint around the garden, happy in the sun, nibbling the luscious green Bramble leaves that are invading our garden fence. We thought we would be expecting some new kids on the block but the billy goat we are borrowing will not be joining the girls until September.

Lou has been back on his Highland Pony, Mac, riding around the local bridal paths nearby checking out the fields full of crops ready for harvesting. The stubble fields, once harvested, are wonderful for riding around and gives Mac some much needed exercise. Our Irish x Thoroughbred, Jasmine is in the middle of being broken to ride, and our Highland pony Kasper broken to ride last year is being ridden again by our friend Nic. Nic helps out as her love of horses and ponies gives her some freedom from hectic family life.

The nest boxes are full of Bluetits, Hedge sparrows and Great tits. Watching the fledglings leave the box onto the branches of the trees in the garden is always a treat to see.

The Swallows that arrived in early Spring have nested and brought up young. It is always wonderful to watch them diving for insects in the evening in the last rays of the sun and listen to them chattering on the electricity cables as they line up to preen their feathers.

Lou has yet to build a predator proof run for the quail we lost, so hopefully this project, one of many, will be completed soon. The quail do not like the cold, so summer is a Our garden, our good time to replace our quail that were all taken last year. sanctuary.

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Advertisements Summer 2021 Wanted

More properties wanted!

Becoorie Scotland are expanding and looking for additional holiday accommodation in the Strathearn valley, Perthshire to add to the Becoorie portfolio.

We offer a bespoke personal service to run your holiday home ensuring the best standard and service for both owner and customer.

Please contact: Nicky@Becoorie.co.uk

Situations Vacant

ScotlandInFourSeasons

Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine is looking for an experienced marketing and publishing individual able to assist, on an ad-hoc basis, with the growth of our new magazine.

Experience in niche publications and social media highly desired.

As we are all about Scottish content we are looking for someone based in Scotland, working from home.

Email Linda Mellor, Editor: linda@scotlandin4seasons.co.uk

Upcycled & Sustainably Sourced

Visit www.becoorie.com for the sustainably sourced range of Zulucow bags, rugs & accessories

80 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Scotland in 4 Seasons Stockists

PAPER LOVES TREES European forests, which provide wood for making paper, paper packaging and many other products, have been growing by 1,500 football pitches every day!

Discover the story of paper www.lovepaper.org

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Source: Forest and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), 2005 - 2020 European Forests: EU27 + Norway, Switzerland and the UK Love Paper is a registered trademark for Two Sides Ltd. Registered in the UK, U.S. and other countries and used with permission.

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Scotland in Four Seasons Subscribe!

Scotland in Four Seasons is published 4 times each year. We align with Scotland’s spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons. The magazine is available in paper and digital formats from our website and selected stockists.

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82 Scotland in Four Seasons Summer 2021

Coming up in our Autumn Edition On sale via our website from September 15th

Autumn is the beautiful season of change, vibrant colours and rich in textures.

Our favourite season, what's yours?

TIPS! Learn how to improve your pictures

Going, going, gone! Our favourite Auctioneer shares his travels and exploits across Scotland as life returns to a more normal rhythm. Will he cope?

Does Sheldon know what normal is?

We have our doubts...

On Sale 15th September

Photography Special - we share our professional photography tips to help you improve your pictures, master composition, get the basics right and avoid classic mistakes.

Review! We have rigorously tested Gateway1

boots over the winter, spring and summer months and share our review in our Autumn issue.

Ne w Column!

M r & M r s

Our new Country Columnists, Mr Rod and Mrs Gun! Our Outdoorsy newlyweds, Cara & Ali share their adventures on land and river across Scotland and beyond.

Neil Cunningham Dobson tells the story of an old shipwreck on Skye and a family connection.

We have Island tales from a rural GP on Hoy. Life on the Remote Pait Estate in Autumn with Angela Phimister. Me & My Dog. Our Story. Forever Scotland. Gifts for You & Yours. Walkies. Creative Countryside, The Simple Life. Autumn Fishing with Rod Guru Simon Barnes of Simba Roads. My Outdoors.

Let's Chat, and much, much more....

We meet the talented Perth-based Professional Chef from No.9 with a love of the outdoors and fishing.

We are delighted to feature artist Rebecca Underdown Rebecca is a self taught artist from Glenrothes in Fife. After years as bookshop manager in London she moved to South Uist with her family and went back to painting.

Now, after trying Ayrshire and the Cotswolds, they have settled in the Cabrach in Moray.

Rebecca is inspired by the big skies and open views around her and likes to play with colour in her work.

Featured Artist!

Rebecca Underdown

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We aim to stock local, sustainable and environmentally positive products while promoting an ethical and mindful way of life.

"It's a way of life."

Be Coorie, Commercial Lane, Comrie Perthshire PH6 2DP

www.becoorie.com