admg - knight frank 2010 stag season revie · ewen kennedy, headstalker at kingairloch estate...
TRANSCRIPT
in association with
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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ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Review
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.
Forest Owner Tenant StalkerStagsShot
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
* shows larder weight
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ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Review
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.
Forest Owner Tenant StalkerStagsShot
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.
Forest Owner Tenant StalkerStagsShot
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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ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Review
Forest Owner Tenant StalkerStagsShot
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
* shows larder weight
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.
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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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ADMG - Knight Frank 2010 Stag Season Review
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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Reviewproducedby The Association of Deer Management Groups Tel:01397702433www.deer-management.co.ukWhileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensurethattheinformationcontainedinthisReviewiscorrect,ADMG,KnightFrankandShootingTimes&CountryMagazinecantakenoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissions.
KnightFrankdoesnotmanagethosepropertieslisted.Nopartofthisreportmaybereproducedwithoutpermission.
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