Lots

Presented by Finzean Estate:

The MacHedge is named after Finzean's famous headkeeper Allan "Hedge" Shand, and the challenge requires the team or individual to take a roe doe, ten rabbits and a brace of pheasants in a day.

The MacHedge can be attempted in January 2022 depending on availability at the estate and, while nobody can guarantee a successful MacHedge, the winners can be sure of a relaxed, fun day in glorious surroundings.

Finzean is a beautiful estate on Royal Deeside a short distance from Aberdeen, and the local community includes a thriving 4 star farm shop set in stunning countryside.

Finzean won the Heather Trust's Golden Plover Award for Moorland Management in 2015, and the area offers a huge amount to see and do for tourists and locals alike.

Date in Janurary 2022 by arrangement with the Estate Office (01330 850710).

Presented by Malcolm Hay:

A classic day’s rough shooting for three to four guns in the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside, a few miles outside Huntly.

A fantastically varied bag is possible, with pheasant, partridge, grouse, snipe, duck, woodcock, hare, pigeon, and rabbit on offer. An old-fashioned mixed day of exciting, relaxed sport.

A delicious lunch will be provided for the guns in Edinglassie Lodge.

To be taken by arrangement with the donor in early / mid November 2021.

If required, self-catering accommodation is available by separate negotiation with the donor.

Presented by Ballogie Estate:

One day’s hind or doe stalking for one rifle on the beautiful Ballogie Estate in Deeside, Aberdeenshire. The Estate Stalker will accompany the rifle. There is no limit on numbers of hinds or doe shot.

Rifle to provide own refreshments. The Estate can provide an accommodation list and use of the Estate rifle if necessary.

To be taken during November 2021 - date to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Atholl Estates:

One day’s red hind stalking on part of the Atholl Estate, one of Scotland's best known Highland estates.Extending to over 145,000 acres, the estate is divided into five sporting beats, each of which offers a different mix of sport and scenery.

The red hind stalking is part of a selective cull and the estate stalker will accompany the rifle, directing guests to the identified cull hinds. The experience is enhanced by the highland ponies which are used to carry the culled deer where conditions permit and the services of a ghillie and pony are included.

To be taken during the 2021 – 2022 season by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Malcolm Hay:

A day's roe deer stalking on Edinglassie Estate, a few miles outside Huntly in the Aberdeenshire countryside.

If required, self-catering accommodation is available by separate negotiation with the donor.

Presented by Roy Fishwick:

The winning bidder will be given the choice of either:

Morning or evening stalk for Fallow does

Woodland stalking in the N Yorks hills. An accompanied stalk to get one or more fallow does in the 2021/22 season. This will better suit an experienced stalker as opportunities in the woods can be fleeting!

or

Morning or Evening stalk for roe doe

2021/22 season. Accompanied stalk but most likely high seat based. Would suit a beginner or novice or more experienced stalker with low fitness. Estate rifle available. Allow some time for a target session first.

Presented by Lucilla Noble, Fearann Eilean Iarmain, the Isle of Skye.

Test your skills against the elements with a simulated stalking day for two, followed by one nights accommodation at the unique Hotel Eilean Iarmain, on the Isle of Skye, with a free tastings of the Gaelic Whiskies and Gaelic Gins.

Simulated Stalking is open to anyone over the age of 17 (under 17s must be in possession of a firearm certificate.)  Holders of FAC are welcome to bring their own rifles, or estate rifles are available.

Dates by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by College Valley Estates:

Enjoy a day of roe doe stalking on College Valley Estates between November 1st 2021 and Mar 31st 2022.

Date to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Alastair Riddell, North Chesthill Estate:
Two days salmon and trout fishing on the River Lyon, Perthshire to be taken, back to back, during the season.
The salmon beats alternate daily. The purchaser can fish for salmon and trout across that beat and can fish the runs across all my water for trout, but would be asked to stay away from the salmon pools on the other beat. There are plenty of local hotels, B&Bs, cottages and the famous Fortinghall Hotel nearby.

Presented by Finegand Estate Ltd: An excellent opportunity for two rods to try this small but easily fished river in beautiful scenery. This is fly only, and fishes well from June onward. Each beat is approximately 1½ miles long. Although it is definitely classed as a spate river, fish can be caught in all waters. The Shee Water, which is the head waters of the river Ericht and a tributary of the Tay, provides exciting salmon fishing, where sport can be expected to come thick and fast. It can be extremely prolific – fishing well late in the season. This has always proved to be a popular lot with our bidders. To be taken on a mutually agreed day before the 31 st August 2021, . The donor can also provide the successful bidder with a list of local accommodation.

Presented by The Duke of Buccleuch. Website: www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk. 1 day’s fishing for 2 rods on the River Nith Lower Beat. This beat is located within the grounds of Drumlanrig Estate with Drumlanrig Castle as a backdrop. To be taken between August and November, subject to availability. 

Presented by Sir John Scott, by kind permission of Lady Clare Hurd:

This is an excellent opportunity for one person to experience a day’s haaf-netting on the River Nith at Glencaple. This unique form of fishing dates back to the Vikings, the word haaf coming from the Norwegian word for heave. The 15 ft net, standing like a small goalpost on three legs, is carried into the river and is supported by the fisherman. The haaf-netters stand in a line with their nets across the estuary and catch fish coming up on the flood tide and down on the ebb tide. The fishing at Caerlaverock has been kept historically by the owners for the benefit of the Estate workers and local villagers.

The successful bidder will fish with Johnny, under the guidance of the Caerlaverock Keeper, on the flood and ebb tides. Johnny Scott wrote and co-presented the successful BBC TV series, Clarissa and The Countryman. Lunch will be provided. A pair of chest waders is essential.

Fishing will be catch and release, in line with conservation regulations.

To be taken in the summer months of 2021 between June and August, by arrangement.

Presented by The Rt Hon the Earl of Home KT CVO CBE:
Birgham Dub consists of 1 mile of double bank fishing and is a 2 rod, 2 boat beat, with two full time boatmen. The Dub has a wide variety of pools and streams for both high and low water conditions. Not only the Dub with its pools named the Corbie, Cundy, Galoshan Point, Hens Leg and the Nick; but also (above and below) are the streaming waters known as the Brose, Magrie, the Cradle, the Weil and Jilly’s Cast. The beat is very well maintained, with an excellent fishing hut and other facilities. Birgham Dub is owned by Douglas & Angus Estates and forms part of the Hirsel Estate at Coldstream. To be taken on Tuesday 31st August 2021 by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by The Earl of Dalhousie, Website: www.dalhousieestates.co.uk: Fishing is let over the Upper and Lower Beats of the Edzell Water (West Bank only) on the River North Esk. The middle beat is not included. There are ten named pools. The upper beat extends from below the Gannochy Bridge on the Fettercairn Road to the Suspension Bridge by Edzell Village and the Lower Beat runs from the top of the Lyn Martin Pool down to the confluence of the North Esk and the West Water. To be taken this season by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Antony Braithwaite and Rob Cooper:

The offer is for two rods to fish one day on the Haughton Castle Fishings on the North Tyne, spend the night at a nearby decent pub and then to fish on the Main Tyne - on the little known Greycourt Beat, opposite the famous Styford beat.

Presented by Sir Michael Strang Steel Bt. CBE: 

Two days' salmon fishing for two rods on the River Ettrick, a tributary of the River Tweed and can be fished from the bank or by wading. 

Dates by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Professor Rob Marrs, University of Liverpool and The President of The Heather Trust:

A day’s consultancy visit to an area of moorland identified by the successful bidder.

Rob is a leading academic expert on moorland management with a particular emphasis on vegetation management including heather and bracken.

It is anticipated that the successful bidder will wish to accompany Rob on the visit and in conversation take advantage of his encyclopaedic knowledge of moorland.

To be taken by arrangement with the donor during the summer of 2021. Depending on the location, some assistance with travel and subsistence charges may be requested.

Presented by Dick Bartlett, British Moorlands. Website: www.britishmoorlands.com.

The morning will be spent counting breeding pairs of grouse using pointing dogs to find and flush the pairs which will give an indication of the shooting potential of the 2022 season. This is fascinating to watch if you enjoy seeing good gundog work.

The afternoon offers you hands-on experience of moorland work such as heather management, grit site selection and operation, water provision for upland wildlife and predator trapping systems.

The whole day is guided by Dick Bartlett who will explain how modern technology is used by British Moorlands to produce grouse shooting which is technically and financially sustainable, and also affordable to the ordinary shooter.

Please see www.britishmoorlands.com for more information on our work to save our heather moorland heritage through viable grouse production for shooting and falconry.

Suitable for a group of 2 - 10.
Location; Speyside, North East Scotland
Date: tba for March/April 2022.

Presented by Dr Oliver Moore:

A day out botanising/plant, bryophyte and/or lichen identification training in Highland Perthshire with Dr Oliver Moore.

Oliver is a keen naturalist and brings his knowledge and love of upland wildlife to the role of Moorland Management Best Practice Guidance Officer for the Heather Trust. 

He spent three years at Letterewe, Wester-Ross, researching the impact of Red Deer management on bryophyte and lichen ecology that resulted in several scientific papers and a recently published book.

Since then Oliver has worked as a Lecturer in Applied Ecology, for the University of Gloucestershire, and today works part-time for Taylor Wildlife, as Senior Ecologist/Botanist, when he is not on Heather Trust duty.

The exact location of the day can be agreed with the donor.

Up to 6 people can be accommodated.

Presented by Chris Amos:

50 cartridges / clays at Westlands Country Park, Dumfries and Galloway.

Different guns can be provided or the winning bidder can bring their own.

Presented by Hamish Waugh, Effgill (near Langholm): A day (for two people) with a traditional hill shepherd.

The day, depending on work on hand, will consist of a tour around the farm and seeing how hefted sheep are herded, seeing my collies at work, and an explanation of what the winning bidder is seeing.

There will be roast lamb for lunch where Fiona and Hamish will be on hand for a general discussion and able to answer questions as they arise.

The day will be taken in early or mid-summer (preferably before shearing time) but can be flexible when arrangements are made.

An outing lasting 3 – 4 hours with a Penrith Red Squirrel Ranger in Cumbria.
Funds raised will be shared with the Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group.
Preferably May or June – date and time to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Simon Blackett:

A family/group ticket to Braemar Castle with personal guided tour and tea/coffee in morning room for up to 10 persons.

To be taken any time in 2021.

http://www.braemarcastle.co.uk/

Presented by Greg Hutchings:

A really exciting chance to see an afternoon of grouse hawking over pointers in East Ayrshire.

A packed lunch will be provided before heading on to the hill. The opportunity will be for two people to spectate while Greg works his dog and falcon as a team.

There will also be an opportunity to handle the falcon, and falconry will be explained in detail.

To be taken by arrangement with the donor on a fair weather Saturday in September or October 2021.

Nebuchadnezzar of Chateau de Sales 2016 (to be collected in Radlett) and a tour of the cellars of Mr John Apthorp CBE, located in Radlett.