Monthly Archives: February 2012

Close of the hind season

Posted on February 19, 2012 by James Hall

The hind season closed last week and we have now had a chance to tally up the numbers. We have pretty cautious this year about culling hinds because it is clear that the calving rate will not be high (about … Continue reading →

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Running repairs

Posted on February 16, 2012 by James Hall

One of the challenges of a long estate road is that keeping it in reasonable condition is a continuous task. The winter is usually the most damaging time for the road as frost and rain get into the surface and … Continue reading →

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The closing of the hind season

Posted on February 14, 2012 by James Hall

The hind stalking season closes tomorrow and we have been trying to get a last few stalks in. We haven’t been helped by a miserable turn in the weather which has brought low cloud, wind and rain. We are particularly … Continue reading →

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Winter Sun

Posted on February 12, 2012 by James Hall

The weather map seems to be upside down at the moment. Snow in Rugby, rugby frozen off in Paris and we are ‘basking’ in mild weather (well, 5-10c). It got a bit colder today but the sun came out. I … Continue reading →

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Stacking timber

Posted on February 9, 2012 by James Hall

There is something deeply satisfying and rather primal about the task of stacking timber for your own fire. I suppose it goes back to the earliest days of man as a hunter/gatherer, though in those days it was probably done … Continue reading →

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Ice and fog

Posted on February 8, 2012 by James Hall

We still haven’t had much snow here this year, but we have had a few days of heavy frost. Yesterday we had both ice and fog which leant the whole strath a rather ghostly appearance.

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Ardgay to Anywhere

Posted on February 2, 2012 by James Hall

I suppose it is nothing short of miraculous that the Far North Line has survived. But survived it has and Ardgay is the nearest station to Croick, on the banks of the Dornoch Firth and about 10 miles from the … Continue reading →

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Three antlered stag

Posted on February 2, 2012 by James Hall

We were out hind stalking today when we saw this most unusual stag. As you can see it has two antlers on one side (the right hand side as he is looking at you). I don’t know how this happened; … Continue reading →

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Winter View

Posted on February 1, 2012 by James Hall

Winter View

View up the strath towards Glaschoil cottage, with deer to the left

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Woodcock et al

Posted on February 1, 2012 by James Hall

No sooner had we returned north that we took up a very kind invitation to mark the end of the season with a day’s shooting at Pitkerrie with James Munro. James is a very generous host but he certainly makes … Continue reading →

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