Monthly Archives: August 2011

The Highland House Transformed

Posted on August 30, 2011 by James Hall

One of the particular pleasures of a visit to Ullapool is that it has two excellent bookshops. For me, it is impossible to visit either without buying something interesting and unusual. Both shops have an excellent collection of books about … Continue reading →

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First salmon

Posted on August 29, 2011 by James Hall

We operate a strict catch and release policy for salmon and sea trout at Croick, but there can be an exception to every rule. And I think that the best exception is when people catch their first ever salmon. That … Continue reading →

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Three pointers, two 410’s and one brace of grouse

Posted on August 27, 2011 by James Hall

It was a wonderful day for walking in search of a grouse, warm and dry and with a good strong wind. So Frank and I took our three pointers and our 410s up the hill in front of the house. … Continue reading →

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Starting the stalking season

Posted on August 26, 2011 by James Hall

Yesterday marked the start of the red deer stalking season for us. Guests had already shot a few sika but it is only after the first red that it feels like the stalking season is properly underway. We woke in … Continue reading →

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A glorious Ptarmigan day

Posted on August 21, 2011 by James Hall

Five of us had a wonderful day on Saturday, shooting grouse and ptarmigan in the hills above Loch Einich in the Cairngorms. This was the eighth year we have visited and each year has been great in its different way. … Continue reading →

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Strong Black Grouse numbers

Posted on August 19, 2011 by James Hall

We work closely with the RSPB at Croick to monitor and support our Black Grouse. The mixture of habitats and the number of young trees we have seem to suit them well and we have a healthy population. The RSPB, … Continue reading →

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A fish worth a walk

Posted on August 19, 2011 by James Hall

Last week, a very nice fishing family was staying at Manse. As the river was low they made several journeys up to our trout lochs to catch wild brownies, mostly of one-bite size. Loch nam Buidheag is the northern of … Continue reading →

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Counting grouse in the sun

Posted on August 13, 2011 by James Hall

Kenny spent the morning with us today, to help count our grouse. This is the third year we have covered the same area of ground to count numbers. Because it is only a sample, it doesn’t tell us the total … Continue reading →

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Experiments with a Bronica, in colour

Posted on August 12, 2011 by James Hall

These are some more photographs, equally experimental, taken with Fuji Velvia 100ASA. There is none of the graininess associated with the previous much cheaper B&W film but there is a depth and richness to the colour palette which is quite … Continue reading →

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Experiments with a Bronica

Posted on August 12, 2011 by James Hall

I purchased a second-hand Bronica camera a few months ago. It is medium format film camera with a good reputation for the quality of its’ pictures, but without the programmes and electronic support which we take for granted on DSLR … Continue reading →

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