ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Revie · Ewen Kennedy, headstalker at Kingairloch estate reported that all 52 stags were shot by clients, with guests coming form nine different

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ADMG - Knight Frank

2010 Stag Season Review

PW StagReview2010-11aw.indd 1 10/03/2011 09:54

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ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Review

1 Aberdeenshire2 Angus3 Argyll4 ArranandBute5 Caithness6 Dunbarton-shire7 Inverness-shire8 Perthshire9 Ross-shire/IsleofLewis10 Sutherland

TheAssociationofDeerManagementGroupsistherepresentativebodyfordeerforestownersanddeermanagersinScotland.www.deer-management.co.uk

Front cover: Walking in, Acharacle, ShielbridgeBack cover: Stags on Boreland, Perthshire February 2011

All photography by Glyn Satterley, www.glynsatterley.com

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ThiswillbethesixthyearthatKnightFrankhassupportedtheannualStagSeasonReportpreparedbytheAssociationofDeerManagementGroupsinassociationwithShootingTimes.

Thisyear,withover150entries,thereporthasarecordnumberofcontributors,butthisprobablyonlyrepresentshalfoftheforeststhatcouldmakeareturn.Themoredatathatisreceived,themorecomprehensivethereportbecomes,andthemoreusefulitwillbetoallwhoseeit.

Sospreadtheword,andensurethatforthe2011seasonthereareevenmoreentries.

TheScottishpropertymarkethasbeenthroughatoughtimeateverylevelsince2008.Itremainsdifficulttopredict,butwellpriced,qualityruralpropertystillsellswell.Activityinthemarketisuponthistimelastyearandwearenowdoingdealsonpropertythathadfailedtosellduringthelast12months.Globalinflationaryconcernsandavolatilecurrencymarketareincreasinglypushinginvestorstowardsqualityassets.Thiscombinedwiththeusualshortageofsupplybodeswellforthedeerforestandestatemarketin2011.

KnightFrankcontinuestoinvestinScotland,andweareexpandingourruralservicetoembracenotjustourportfolioofhousesandestates,butalsoenhancingourfocusonfarms,sportingandrenewables.

MichaelIrelandhaswrittenamoredetailedexaminationofthemarketandvalueofdeerforestswhichIhopeyouwillfindinterestingreadingonpage9oftheReview.Wearelookingforwardtoastrongerspringmarketaswehavenowhopefullyshakenoffthisharshwinter.

RanMorgan HeadofScotlandResidential KnightFrank Tel:01312229600 [email protected] www.knightfrank.com

Boreland stag, February 2011



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2010 red stag reviewTony Jackson Aseasonnotableforthelaterutanddeeringoodconditiondespiteahardwinter.

Theredstagstalkingseasonfor2010willlongberemembered,mostlyforthewrongreasons.AlmostwithoutexceptiontherutwasslowtogetunderwayandinmanycasesstagsdidnotbreakoutuntilthelastweekoftheseasonandwereevenheardstillroaringinNovember.Ontheotherhand,despitethepreviousappallingwinter,themajorityofstagsappearedtobeingoodtoexcellentcondition,thoughinsomecasesbodyweightwasdownontheaverage.Asusual,therewasnodeterminedpatterntotheweatherand,whilesomeforestssufferedfromcold,wetandcloudyconditions,othersnotedwarmSeptemberdaysandsoutherlywinds.Therehadbeenheavymortalityamongstreddeer,notablycalves,asaresultoftheprolongedandbitterwinterof2009-10andonsomeforestshundredsofcarcaseswerefound.TherewerealsoreportsfromSutherlandconcerningdeerdesperatelytryingtoseekshelterandfoodonForestryCommissionlandduringthehardwinter.Manyforestsreportednoproblemswithhillwalkers,butothersnotedanincreaseinwalkerswhoarenotpreparedtouserecognisedtracksortorespectorunderstandstalkingactivities.

Aberdeenshire

Mostforestsreportedalatestarttotherut.OnMarestatetherewasnoactivityuntil18Octoberandthentherutfizzledout.AtGlenTanarestatetherewasagood,activerutinthewoodlandbutlittleactiononthehillduetoalackofmaturestags.Mostforestsreporteddeeringoodcondition,thoughseveralnoteddeerasbeinglight.Theweathertendedtoeastwinds,rain,lowcloudandsnowatendoftheseason.Glenmuicklost20stagsandabout80hindsandcalvesinthewinterof2009/10andnearlyallforestsreportedheavymortality,withcalvessufferingthemost.Threeforests,Baddoch,GlenCallaterandMarestatereportedanincreaseindisturbancebyhillwalkers.

Angus

Therutonlygotunderwayon8OctoberatGlenisla,butdeerwereingoodcondition.AgreatdealofmistinearlyOctoberfollowedbynorthwindsfromthe10to20Octobercauseddeertoleavetheground.AheavyofficialcullhadalsomadelettingstalkinginSeptemberanon-starterandOctoberwasproblematical.However,wintermortalitywaslessthanexpected.TherutatInvermarkwasslightlylaterthanusualinthesecondweekofOctober,butdeerwereingoodcondition.Aboutsixdayswerelosttomist,andwintermortalitywasslightlyhigherthanusual.AtTulchanofGlenislaheadstalkerWHMearnsreportedaveryshorteight-dayrut.Deerwereingoodconditionandvariableweather,withagreatdealofsnowinlastweekoftheseason.

Argyll

NiallRowantree,headstalkeratArdnamurchanandGlenborrodale,reportedfirstroaringon22August,aslowingdownoftherutatendofSeptembertheninfullflowaround7October,andsomestagswellrunby15OctoberatGlenborrodale.Stagswereinexcellentconditionwithgoodheads,thoughhindswerethinnerthanusual.HeavyrainandmistoccurredinearlySeptember,followedbyalmostsummeryweatheratthepeakoftherut.

Therewaslessmortalitythaninpreviouslongwetwinters.However,severalotherforestsreportedalaterutwhileatGlencoeandDalness,stagswerestillroaringattheendofNovember.Manyforestsreportedgoodweatherconditions,butatBlackCorries,drivingsleetandhailonsomedaysmadeforatestingseasonandacontrasttoDunlossitwheretheweatherwasdry,warmandsunny.Wintermortalityfor2009/10wasrelativelymildduetolackofrainandcold,thoughafewcalvessuffered.OntheArgyllestates,headstalkerTomKirshreportedahummelseenholding20hindsandastagheardroaringon28November.

Stag holding hinds, Acharacle, Shielbridge


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Ayrshire/Bute

AlastairChalmers,theheadstalkerattheDougarieestatereportedashort,sharpandlaterut,butwithdeerinverygoodcondition.

Caithness

BothLangwellandBraemoreestatesandDunbeathandGluttreportedalaterut,whichonlygotunderwayinthelasttendaysoftheseason.Weatherconditionsweredryandwarmwithsouthwindsandthedeerwereingoodcondition.TheestatesreportedheavylossesduringthepreviouswinterandtheNorthernDeerManagementGroupofadozenestatesfoundmorethan1,000deaddeer.

Forest Owner Tenant StalkerStagsShot

AverageWeight

Heaviest

AberdeenshireBallogie MNicol N/a PeterLittlejohn 33 15-03 21-02

GlenmuickEstateSirAndrewWalkerOkeoverBt

N/a ABTaylor 60 12-09 18-05

GlenTanar MichaelBruce N/a ColinMcClean 71 14-07 20-09

InvercauldTrust Various ColinFarrel 24 13-06 16-10

InvercauldTrust Various MichaelFalconer 46 13-08 16-06

MarEstate MMNicolsonandothers N/a IanCampbell 51 13-07 20-01

MarLodge NationalTrustforScotland Various StewartCumming 84 13-02 17-04

AngusGlenisla MajorJPOGibb N/a NicholasGibb 15 13-00 17-02

Invermark EarlofDalhousie N/a FredTaylor 70 14-00 19-03

TulchanofGlenisla DrFlorianKühnle N/a WHMearns 85 13-03 17-12

ArgyllArdchattan MrsSHTroughton N/a BruceCampbell 14 09-02* 12-05*

Ardkinglas DavidSumsion N/a JasonFerguson 39 09-06*Not

given

ArdnamurchanandGlenBorrodale

ArdnamurchanEstates Various NiallARowantree 76 16-08 29-04

Ardtalla ArdtallaEstatesLtd N/a CallumSharp 47 15-12 21-01

Ardtornish ArdtornishEstateCo N/a SimonBoult 30 15-04 23-06

ArgyllEstatesHisGracetheDukeofArgyll

N/a TomKirsop 91 13-08 20-01

Auch ABesterman N/a JCampbell 15 14-05 17-10

BlackCorriesVicomteAdolphedeSpoelberch

N/a DavyThomas 20 13-09 16-02

Blackmount PhilipFleming N/a AlastairMacDonald 87 13-10 17-00

Dalness RJFleming N/a AlastairHunter 10 13-10 16-08

Dunlossit DunlossitTrusteesLtd N/aDonaldJamesMacphee

35 14-10 24-10

Glencoe-Dalness NationalTrustforScotland N/a JohnMacDonald 32 13-05 19-08

GlenforsaTrusteesofGlenforsaEstate

N/a GrahamWaugh 22 14-08 22-05

LagganEstate LagganPropertiesLtd N/a NielPark 33 14-06 22-07

Laudale JKRFalconer N/a StevenBrazendale 27 12-00 20-04

ShielbridgeEstateTrusteesofCBHolmanSettlementTrust

N/a DougMacdonald 18 12-02 18-03

Strone TRTurnbull N/a TRTurnbull 32 12-01 20-06

Arran and ButeDougarie SCGibbs Various AlastairChalmers 29 14-05 17-08

InvercauldBaddochGlenCallater

* shows larder weight

Walking up, Suisgill, Sutherland

Spying, Suisgill, Sutherland



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Dunbartonshire

ColinStark,theheadstalkeratGarabalreportedthattheweatherhadbeenverywet,butthatthedeerwereingoodcondition.

Inverness-shire

Nearlyalltheforeststhatsubmittedreturnsreportedalaterut,insomecasesonlycommencinginthelastweekoftheseasonandthenendingquickly.AtGlendoe,therutneverreallygotunderway,withfewstagsonthegroundand,eveninOctober,thereweregroupsofhindsseenwithoutastag.However,atGlenMama,activityimproveddramaticallyinthesecondweekofOctoberwiththearrivalofsomematurestags.ThiswasnotthecaseatKingiewherealackofmaturestagsresultedinaninactiverut.

Mostforestsreporteddeeringoodcondition,whileweatherconditionsweremixed.Someforestsreporteddryconditions,apartfromthelasttwoweeksinSeptember,whenheavyrain,wind,snowandmistmadestalkingdifficult.Thoughthemajorityofforestsreportedaveragemortalityamongdeerinthepreviouswinter,thereweresomeexceptions.Therewere60deadhindsatDunachtonestate,whileatGlenavontherewere130deaths,mostlycalves.

EwenKennedy,headstalkeratKingairlochestatereportedthatall52stagswereshotbyclients,withguestscomingformninedifferentcountries.AtGlenquoichoneguest,aged75,havingsurvivedfourboutsofheartsurgery,shothis99thandfinalstag,afeatthathadtakenhim26yearstoachieve.WhilsthillwalkerscausedproblemsatKilliechonateForestandatKingie,AlvieandDalraddyestatesnotedlessdisturbancefromwalkersandmountainbikersthaninpreviousyears.


AverageWeight

Heaviest

Caithness

BraemoreTheWelbeckEstatesCoLtd

N/a JHMiller 36 14-05 19-02

Dunbeath&Glutt SWMThreipland N/a WMilne 75 13-08 19-08

LangwellTheWelbeckEstatesCoLtd

N/a JJBain 50 14-09 19-12

Sandside GeoffreyMinter N/a AlanSandison 2 12-11 14-00

DunbartonshireGarabel OveWolffMarsden N/a ColinStark 3 15-02 16-07

Inverness-shireAchdalieu WestHighlandWoodlands Various AlanCurrie 33 14-06 19-07

AchnacarryNorth DACameronofLochiel Various AlexMacdonald 47 14-04 18-03

AchnacarrySouth DACameronofLochiel VariousDonaldKennedy,EwanKennedy

33 Notgiven 17-09

Alvie&DalraddyEstatesAlvieTrust/JamieWilliamson

N/a GraemeMacdonald 22 13-01 16-11

Ardverikie ArdverikieEstateLtd N/a DLanglands 125 13-03 16-09

Barisdale R&JGordon N/a CraigHarbison 21 14-00 17-02

BenAlder BenAlderEstateLtd N/a IanGCrichton 56 14-00 16-04

Braulen AndrasLtd N/a RSmith 111 14-08 19-06

CamusroryTheHonRupertSoamesandMrRCrosthwaite-Eyre

N/a VStockwell 4 15-06 17-03

Coignafearn CoignafearnEstate Various SandyDey 103 14-06 18-10

Conaglen JGuthrie N/a RossMaclean 47 13-10 17-11

CorrourEstate CorrourLandsLtd N/a DonaldRowantree 250 13-04 16-06

CulachyCulachyEstateManagementLtd

N/a ScottBremner 46 13-08 19-00

Dalwhinnie BenAlderEstateLtd N/a IainMacDonald 9 13-03 15-00

Dell JPGFinnis N/a ColinBarclay 16 Notgiven

Notgiven

Dunachton JohnForbes-Leith N/aAndrewDrummond

24 09-11* 13-10*

Glenaladale GlenaladaleEstate Various DavidMcCauley 18 13-10 17-04

Glenavon GlenavonEstate N/a RGreenlaw 45 14-01 17-08

Glanbanchor GlenbanchorEstate N/a JimGrant 36 13-11 Notgiven

GlenDessary SirPatrickGrant N/a - 35 14-07 18-02

Glendoe MessrsGandRVernon N/a GeorgeWatson 37 13-10 16-04

Glenfeshie GlenfeshieEstateLtd N/a DavidTaylor 70 10-12 17-07

GlenMama DrDFBerardelli N/a PaoloBerardelli 17 13-12 15-02

GlenmazeranEnglefieldEstateTrustCorporation

Various MJIrvine 12 13-10 16-04

Glenquoich DuncanGordon N/a LeaMcNally 31 15-05 18-12



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Perthshire

Again,withoutexception,everyforestreportedalaterut,oftennotgettingunderwayuntilthefirstorsecondweekofOctoberand,insomecases,stagsstillholdinghindsandroaringinNovember.Ashortageofbig,maturestagswasreportedinsomeforestsandmanyhindswerenotedwithoutmaturestagswellintoOctober.KeithHall,headstalkeratAcharnHill,notedmanyyoungstagswithpoorheadsoronlypedicles,andatCraiganourstagsstayedintheirgroupstotheendoftheseasonanddidnotbreakout.Manyforestsreporteddeerinreasonabletogoodcondition,thoughstagsatAuchlyneandSuielackedfatandwereaboutastoneunderweight,whiledeeratInvergeldieweredescribedaslean.Someforestsnotedthatwhiledeerwerecarryingfat,weightwasdowncomparedtothepreviousseason

Weatherconditionsweremixed,withsomeforestsexperiencingheavyrain,mistandlowcloudinSeptember,whilstothersreporteddrydayswithsouth-eastwinds.Mostforestsreportedmortalityfromlastwinterasbeingsurprisinglylow,thoughGlenartneylostaround300deerandalotofroewerefounddead.Onthewhole,disturbancebyhillwalkerswaslight,thoughseveralstalkswerespoiltatGleylyonbyignorantorunhelpfulwalkers.AtLudeestatestalkerAlistairStephenwitnessedagoldeneagleattackingandkillingaroefawn.Theheneaglekeptthedoeatbay,whilethecockdrovethefawnintoadrainandkilledit.AtAuchleeksestateafreakheadwasshoton9October,astagwithfourantlersprotrudingfromtherightpedicle.


AverageWeight

Heaviest

Glenshero/Sherramore RioTintoAlcanEstates Various BruceHendry 126 13-08 18-13

GlenSpean MessrsSmith&Bruce N/a PhilHoare 15 Notgiven

Notgiven

Inverguserain IainWilson N/a IainWilson 5 13-06 15-08

KilchoanEstate EricDelwart N/a IainBiggart 24 15-01 20-05

KilliechonateForest RioTintoAlcanEstates Various AWalker 49 13-13 18-10

Kingairloch KurtLarson N/a EwenKennedy 52 14-07 21-01

Kingie I&HBrownLtd N/a JohnCameron 22 15-01 17-13

KinlochHourn HenryBirkbeck N/a DonaldCameron 12 12-12 14-08

KnoydartEstate TheKnoydartFoundation N/a JimBrown 47 14-00 16-12

Mamore AlcanHighlandEstates I&HBrown JohnCameron 18 13-00 15-13

Mamore-Caolasnacon AlcanHighlandEstatesStuartSymmers

StuartSymmers 9 12-06 16-05

NorthMorar IanRSBond N/a AlecMackay 40 15-00 18-08

NevisNevisEstate,c/oStrutt&Parker

N/a RobertGrant 6 Notgiven

Notgiven

PitmainEstate C/oSmithsGore N/a GrahamMabon 24 Notgiven

Notgiven

RoshvenHill CaptainJAPForbesColinSurman

ColinSurman 8 13-05 15-08

Struy AngusSpencer-Nairn N/a RoddyLegge 22 13-06 17-03

PerthshireAcharnHill ANBBaillie-Hamilton MrKHall KeithHall 8 06-06* 09-04*

BruarTrust Various RonnieHepburn 68 12-11 17-00

BruarTrust Various KevinGrant 58 13-00 18-13

AthollEstates Various RichardFraser 109 13-01 17-00

BruarTrust Various DominicMorroghBernard

30 13-13 17-00

AthollEstates Various GraemeCumming 44 13-00 17-06

Auchleeks NialMackinlay N/a BobPirie 40 12-04 15-00

Auchlyne MrsEPatterson Various GeorgeCoyne 18 13-02 15-03

Boreland JudgeRARStroyan N/a TimFrost 65 13-05 16-11

Camusericht BenAlderEstateLtd N/a DuncanRichardson 60 13-02 19-00

Cashlie WHPorter N/a StevenMartin 49 13-02 18-02

Cluniemore PitlochryEstateTrust N/a BrianTroup 17 15-03 18-01

Corrievarkie BenAlderEstateLtd N/a RichardMacGregor 25 12-03 16-10

Craiganour AstelLtd N/a DavidOlds 81 12-04 16-01

Edradynate MichaelCampbell AlexCargill AlexCargill 8 10-07 11-06

Glenartney BaronessWilloughby N/a AlistairWork 90 14-03 21-04

Glencally Mr&MrsBennettJasonWilliamson

JasonWilliamson 48 14-07 18-08

Glenlochay StruanRobertson N/a JamesBarrie 52 11-13 17-08

GlenlyonEstate IainWotherspoon N/a JimmyLambie 55 13-06 18-00

GlenturretEstate MrandMrsSeldon N/a IanMacphee 5 07-10* 09-06*

Atholl

Clunes

Dalnamein

ForestLodge

GlenBruar

WestHand

* shows larder weightQuarry in sight, Acharacle, Shielbridge



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Ross-shire

Withafewexceptions,onceagaintherutwasdelayed.OnsomeforestsitdidnotgetunderwayuntilmidorlateOctoberandeventhenwasbrief.However,thiswasnotthecaseeverywhere.AtApplecross,therutgotunderwayon23Septemberandcontinuednormally.AtDruidagitcommencedon25Septemberand,whileatEishkenthefirstroarwasheardon22September,therewaslittleruttinguntillateOctober.Manyforestsreporteddeerasbeinginverygoodtoexcellentcondition,thoughinsomecasesweightswerebelowaverageasaresultoftheprevioushardwinter.


AverageWeight

Heaviest

Innerhadden RichardBarclay N/a CraigMacIntosh 34 12-03 16-08

Innerwick MrsFWhewell N/a DavidPirie Notgiven 13-02 17-08

Invercauld-RhiedorrachandGlenshee

InvercauldEstate N/a LiamSDonald 170 14-12 18-01

Invergeldie PriestleyFamily N/a CraigRoss 23 13-03 15-10

Invermearn ABesterman N/a JCampbell 48 13-07 21-06

Lochs LochsEstateTrust N/a StevenMacdonald 57 Notgiven 17-06

Lude DuncanGordon N/a AlistairStephen 66 14-07 20-00

Meggernie MrsBMalim N/a AllyMacaskill 99 Notgiven 18-03

Monzie MrsCMMCrichtonGlenturretEstate

IanMacphee 3 09-13* 11-05*

Murthly&StrathbraanThomasSSteuartFotheringham

N/a FergusMcGregor 17 11-09 20-06

NorthChesthill AlastairRiddell N/a HShearer 30 12-02 17-02

Remony A&JDuncanMillar N/a BruceBlackley 38 13-04 23-01

RoroEstate EmilyAndersonBalnahanaidFarm

RoddyBillimore 22 13-02 17-04

SouthChesthillandInvernain

MajorGeneralCARamsay N/a HamishRae 52 13-02 17-09

Suie MrsEPatterson Various GeorgeCoyne 8 13-06 16-02

Tarvie JColman N/a JimTod 24 13-06 15-04

Ross-shire and Isle of Lewis

Achnashellach CaptainNJNHWills N/aChristopherMackenzie

15 13-10 14-09

Applecross ApplecrossTrust N/a DavidAbraham 62 14-07 18-07

Arnisdale JHRichmond-Watson N/a EwenBallantyne 40 14-05 19-13

Corrielair IanBrown&Sons N/a JohnnyMatheson 18 14-00 16-12

Coulin TheHonPRSmith N/a NeilMorrison 34 14-00 19-11

Cluanie,EastQuoichandBunloyne

MrSiva-Jothy N/a RhuaridhCampbell 39 14-09 17-05

Diabaig TheTrusteesofECBacon

SirPaulNicholson,SirNicholasBaconBt

DonnieBeaton 11 14-00 16-07

Druidaig HIMacrae N/a IainCulbertson 10 14-00 15-00

Dundonnell SirTRice MrFDineleyAlasdairMacdonald

30 Notgiven

Notgiven

EastBenulaSouthRTurcan,GWeaver,PUrquhartandMWard

N/a AngusHughes 14 13-12 16-10

Eilanreach LordDulverton N/a AlanMackenzie 36 14-03 18-04

Eishken NOppenheim N/a ChrisMacrae 87 12-00 15-00

Fannich MedievalIndustries N/a RMatheson 33 13-04 16-06

GlasnockEstate MarkAdams N/a DuncanMacleod 11 14-05 18-00

* shows larder weightSynchronised spying, Boreland, Perthshire


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AverageWeight

Heaviest

GlencarronandGelnuaigForest

AlasdairDouglas N/a BrianWatson 32 14-07 17-07

InverinateSmechManagementCoLtd

N/a AndrewSlaughter 200 13-08 18-07

Keanchulish DavidBulmer N/a MarcusMunro 12 13-06 20-04

Kildermorie IanADuncan N/a DougieRussell 46 11-05 15-07

Kinlochluichart IHLeslie-Melville Various GlynRobson 77 13-01 17-07

Lochrosque,Cabuie,WestFannich,KinlocheweandGlendocharty

PatWilson N/a RonnieRoss 82 Notgiven

Notgiven

StrathcononEstate KirkbiEstate Various AngusCameron 76 13-02 16-06

Strathvaich StrathvaichFarmsPartners N/a DonaldMaCrae 80 14-00 18-06

TorridonEstate NationalTrustforScotland N/a SeamusMcNally 9 13-12 15-09

Tullich TheHonRichardCurzonTomChetwynd

TomChetwynd 6 13-02 16-02

SutherlandAchentoul SirJohnNutting N/a DuncanBentley 40 14-11 20-06

AlladaleandDeanich PaulLister N/a InnesMacNeill 100 12-07 18-04

BadanlochBadanlochEstateCompanyLtd

Various BrianLyall 45 14-07 21-01

Balnacoil MrandMrsPNissen N/a JohnMcMorran 33 15-01 18-03

Bighouse MTWard N/aMalcolmRichardson

17 14-02 17-01

Borrobol MichaelWigan N/a JohnMacdonald 56 13-12 17-11

Clebrig,Altnaharra AWNicholsonMrsPFNicholson

ARobertson 15 16-01 19-08

Corriemulzie CorriemulzieTrust Various AlasdairMackenzie 65 14-06 17-08

Croick JHall N/a ASutherland 20 16-11 19-05

Dalnessie ErichtFarmingCompany Various AndrewMackay 34 14-02 18-07

Glencalvie GlencalvieEstate Various AndrewSutherland 78 13-12 19-03

GlencanispandDrumrunie AssyntFoundationAssynt.BizLtd

RonnieBuchan 59 13-03 16-10

GlenCassleyEstate GlenCassleyEstateLtd N/a MWhite 48 14-00 19-07

Kinloch AWGSykes N/a HughMontgomery 32 14-00 18-07

Ledmore DavidBulmer N/a MarcusMunro 25 13-08 20-07

LoubcroyExecutorsofMrPFJColvin

Various AlasdairMackenzie 22 14-02 17-07

Merkland RWoods N/a RoddyWatt 40 13-12 17-08

NorthLochNaver NorthLochNaverEstate N/a CraigRigby 8 13-08 19-00

ReayForest TheDukeofWestminster N/a DavidAllison 166 13-06 19-12

ShinnessEstate CGAFletcherandFamily N/a DerickSutherland 13 Notgiven

Notgiven

SkelpickandRhifail TheHonGELopes N/a EuanAnderson 4 15-03 16-12

Strathmore MrsHeatherGow N/a JohnSpence 26 14-02 19-05

Syre SyreEstate N/a DavidHorsburgh 7 14-07 17-00


Onthewestcoast,weatherconditionsweredescribedas“variable”,butmanyforestsexperiencedwarm,dryweatherthroughmostoftheseason.Strongsouth-westerlywindsatDiabaigmadeshelteringdeerhardtofind,whileEishkenexperiencedahotseasonwithlittlerainorcloud.

AtKinlochluichart,thereweremorehillwalkersthanusual,withfewstickingtorecognisedtracksand,asaresult,aboveaveragedeerdisturbance.ItwasthesameatAchnashellach,whereasteadyincreaseinwalkershasmeantthatdeernowshowlittlefearofhumans.ThesameoccurredatArnisdaleestate,GlencarronandGlenuaigForest.Atthelatter,ptarmiganarenownestingbelow2,000ft.Mortalityfromthepreviouswinterwasvariable,withsomeforestsreportingdeerhavingsurvivedwithlittleloss,butothersnotingsomemortality.TherewereanumberofdeathsatGlencarronandGlenuaigalongtherailwayline,probablyasaresultofdeepsnowmufflingthesoundofanapproachingtrain.

Sutherland

InsomeforeststherutwasontimebutlingeredintoNovember;butonothersitwaslate.AtBorrobol,itbeganon22September,whilstatDalnessieitwaslateOctoberbeforeitgotunderway,withthefirststaginthelarderon19October.Theconditionofthedeerwasfairtogood,manywithfatroundthekidneys.Weatherconditionsvariedhugely,someforestsnotingmilddayswithsoutherlywinds,otherssuchasBalnacoilsufferingfromapredominantlyeastwind.

ThreeforestsreportedalargenumberoflocalstagskilledbytheForestryCommissionaftertheygainedaccesstotreesandshelteroversnow-filledcattlegrids.

Deermortalityfromthepreviouswinterwashighinsomeforests.Achentoullost184deer,whileatBorrobol60stags,140calvesand20yearlingsdied,and30carcaseswerefoundatNorthLochNaverestate.



9

Withalongandbitterwinterfrom2009into2010givingrisetoreportsofoutofconditionbeastsandalateorsomewhatsubduedrut,coupledwiththeongoingeconomicmalaise,youcouldbeforgivenforthinkingthatthedeerforestestatemarketwouldhavefollowedsuitin2010.The2010marketingseason,however,wasdominatedbyoneprinciplefactor–scarcity.

Insummary,nomorethanfivetraditionaldeerforestestateswerebroughttotheopenmarketin2010,withanotmuchgreaternumberofmoremixeduplandestateswherestalkingwasinterspersedwithothersportingopportunities.Inreality,thereweretherefore,onlyalimitednumberofbuyeropportunities,withdemandfrombothhomeandoverseasbuyersstillatalevelwherecompetition,overthoseprimeestates,wasgeneratedinmostcases.

Thereisnodoubtthateconomicconditionshavereducedbuyernumbersfromthoseseenafewyearsago.However,theHighlandsportingestateremains,forsome,atrophypurchaseinaglobalmarketplace.

Thoseestateswhichoffertheclassiccomponentsofanappealinglodgehouse,necessarystaffaccommodation,qualitystalkingwithgoodaveragesandgoodweights,andadd-onssuchasfishingsandlowgroundshootingopportunities,werehighlyprized,resultinginsalesofsomeconcludingwellinexcessofguideprices.Thoseestatesthatwereunabletoofferthefullrangeofclassiccomponents,orwereinfluencedbydetrimentalfactors,attractedlessinterestandlessmarketappetite.

Insummary,the2010marketsawawideningofvaluerangeswiththe‘cream’,representedbyonlyasmallnumberofclassicestatesbroughttothemarket,verymuchrisingtothetop.

Asaquestionofcapitalvalueandvaluationofdeerforestestates,thecapitalvaluerange,traditionallyassessedonaperstagbasis,widenedin2010,withthebestcontinuingtogrowinvalueandthepoorest,atbest,stagnating,givingarangenow,fromalowpointof£20,000toahighof£40,000andaboveperstag,qualityratherthanquantitybeingtheinfluencingfactor.

2010 Deer forest market shines through - albeit on a small scale

Michael IrelandMAMLEMRICS.HeadofScottishRuralValuations,KnightFrank

Marketdemandsarechangingalsowithmanypurchasersvaluingotheraspectsthatanestatecangive,throughalternativesportingandincomegenerationopportunities.The2010marketdemonstratedthatthebestdefinitelyshinesthrough,butthatvaluationofsuchestatesinfuture,purelyonthebasisofthe‘recordbook’isbecomingoversimplistic.

Inaresidentialandcommercialpropertymarketofstagnation,smalltransactionnumbersandpressreportsof‘doomandgloom’in2010,thedeerforestestatemarketshonethrough,albeitinasmallernumberthanmostofuswouldlike.Here’sto2011!

Stags and hinds on the skyline, Acharacle, Shielbridge


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TimFrostisnottheretiringtype–butthen,thisonce,heis.Mindyou,hesaysthatheretiredat23whenhestartedworkingforJockCairneyatLochChoire,sodelightedwashetohavelandedajobinthecountrysidewithnorelevantqualificationsonthestrengthofhiswife,Linda,beingappointedasteacheratasmallschoolinSutherland.

Timmaylooklikeamanofthehills–hesayshestillhasthenestonhishead,buttheeggsareallgone–butinfacthehailsfromBurton-on-TrentintheMidlandswhere,afterworkingatthefineneedlesfactory,hejoinedMarstonThompsonandEvershedasanassistantmechanic.

ItwasonaholidayatLochShiel,Ardnamurchanand,havingtakenarealshinetoScotlandandtheoutdoors,thatthecouplesawajobadvertisedforaschoolteacheratLochChoirethatLindaappliedforandlanded.

Itwasabravemoveforayoungcoupletoupsticksfrom‘civilisation’andheadtothebackofbeyond,withtheSutherlandEducationAuthorityandtheCountessofSutherlandtothank.

Theywerebyallaccountshappytimes,Timactingasghillieandhelpingontheestateforaroundfouryears,learningstalkingskillsandfieldcraftfromJockCairney,amasterofthecraft.WhereasTimflourished,Cheeky,theeightpointer,sadlydidnot–butthat’sanotherstory!

AboundarychangeplacedLinda’sjobinjeopardy,iftheCaithnessAuthoritypulledtherugandthispromptedanunlikelyturninTim’scareerpathasheenteredtheemployoftheBlairDrummondSafariParkandbiggergameintheformoflions,tigers,leopardsandelephants.

Nosuchjobwouldbewithoutitsshaggytales!Timrecountsthetimehetookatiger,presumablyacub,fromtheParktoLeithtovisitHMSTiger.ThroughEdinburghthetigersatuprightinthebackoftheiroldCortina,causingvaryingdegreesofshockandsurprisefromothermotoristsandtheiralarmedpassengerswhenevertheystoppedatthelightsonQueenStreet.

Thentherewastheover-exuberantliononavisittothePeeblesHydroHotel,andthetimeattheBlairDrummondparkwhenTimwassummonedtoattendthelionenclosureasanemergency.Theradiocrackledtolife,withahintofpanicthrownin:“Tim,Timcomequick;they’regettingoffthebus!”Timrecountshowthekeepershadtopositionthemselvesbetweenthelionsandapartyofpensionersontheirdayoutwhoweregentlypersuadedbackontotheircoach.

TimwentbackintotheworldofdeermanagementinMay,35yearsago,asunderstalkeratBorelandfortheStroyanfamilytoNielGraham,headstalker.Thingswereverydifferentthen.TheRedDeerCommissionwastodecidethatthereweretoomanydeerbeingshotintheirparticularDMG,andthestalkingteamwasreducedtoone,unliketodaywhentheDMG’stargetstocontrolnumbersarenowfirmlylockedintoaSection7.

Borelandthenofferednotjuststalkingbutalsopheasantsandgrouse.Nowthegrouseandthepheasantsarefew,butthestalkingcontinuesingreathealth.ThirtyyearsagotherewerefewstagsonestategroundtothesouthoftheLochay.Nowthereareplenty;theirhealthevenmoreassuredwitharegularwinterfeed.

IhadthepleasureofadayoutonBoreland,overtheEaglesandDuncroiskBurns,BeinnnanOighreag,andthechimneysofMeallTonEich,withMarkStroyanandhiswifeBunch.

tim frost hangs up his bootsDickPlayfairmeetsTim Frost,Borelandstalkerfor35years,andwhofinallycalleditadayinFebruary



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ItwasadreichOctoberdaywhenyoucouldhardlyseeyourhandinfrontofyourfaceattimes–butgreatcompany;BunchtakingtwostagsandbothTimandsonMorvwhohastakenoverfromhimatBorelandguidingus.

IwentbackinFebruaryonabrightbutcolddaytoseeMorvfeedingthestags,withsomegloriousbeastsamongthemallingoodfettle.

Timdoesn’tseehimselfasaconventionalstalker.Hecamewithnobackgroundinit-unlikesonsFalconandMorvenwhohaveitintheirblood.Headmitstopossiblydoingthingsdifferently,butispreparedtoputhisneckontheline,andeventowriteaboutitinhistwo-monthlycolumnintheKillinNewswhichhedescribesasfunandedgyandhascoveredsuchthemesas‘ThewomenIhavesleptwithonthehill!’

ButTim,thestalkerwho,inhisunderpants,wasseenbeatingoutahillblazewithhisburn-drenchedbreeks,

doeshaveaseriousside.Plainlyheloveshisjob,andwillmissit.Heknowshiscraftandtakesgreatprideinit.Hehasseenchangeover35years–notallofitforthebest.Whilehethinkstheaccesslawshavebeengoodingettingurbanfolkouttoenjoythecountryside,heagonisesoverwhytheycannotbemoregenial.Hesaysthatlessfolkspeaktoyounowthattheyhavethe‘righttoroam’,andtheyforgetthattheyhaveasideofthebargaintokeep.Hehasonlyeverhadoneseriousset-towithawalker.Hehasonlyevercomeacrossonedeadbodyonthehill–andno,itwasn’tthesameperson.

Heacknowledgestherisksyoutake.Hesays:

“Whenyouthinkoftheconditionsyougooutin,andthecrazythingsyoudo,there,bythegraceofGodandallthat…”

Tim,nowyoucanputyourfeetup,readabook,writeyournewspapercolumn,relax.SomehowIdoubtit. Father and son team, Tim and son Morven

Tim, with Bunch and Mark Stroyan, Boreland


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ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Revie · Ewen Kennedy, headstalker at Kingairloch estate reported that all 52 stags were shot by clients, with guests coming form nine different

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