WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Farming at its best in the Highland hills of Glenlivet

Driving north towards Inverness, you’d be forgiven for being unaware of the existence of the lovely hidden straths of Glenlivet that lie to the east of the A9, between the Cromdale and Ladder hills and the clear rivers Avon and Livet. Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands, is, however, a name that most recognise, as it is frequently mentioned in weather reports when its exposed hill road gets blocked by snow. It’s an unspoilt landscape of sweeping views to the dramatic Cairngorm peaks, small wooded valleys dominated by birch, oak, Scots pine and rowan, and stretches of rare juniper scrub. It’s off the tourist radar, but it’s a landscape that has much to offer.

After a beautiful drive bordering the River Avon, passing Tomintoul Distillery, I arrive at an unusual hill farm. Tenant farmers Alan and Tilly Smith refer to this place as Wild Farm. Tilly, small and wiry, has an encyclopedic knowledge of deer. Her interest in the creatures stems from a childhood inspired by her father, Dr Oliver Dansie, a self-taught expert who worked with estates and deer parks, scientists and government bodies, to advise on the best methods of live deer capture. His techniques are still used today.

The Smiths bought their house on the Glenlivet Estate in 1986, and took on their first farm from the Crown Estate in 1990. It’s now more than 60 years since the Cairngorm reindeer herd was established. Following the deaths of founders Mikel Utsi and Ethel Lindgren, the Smiths bought the herd in 1989, and have been running it ever since. It is now accepted as a key part of Scotland’s ecological heartbeat.

Part of the herd was moved to Glenlivet in 1990 to safeguard the animals in case of a serious livestock disease outbreak, and to ease grazing pressure on the original site at Glenmore. Unlike other deer, reindeer are not guilty of habitat degradation. The ones at Glenlivet remain integral to the main herd, and are moved between the two sites. Unlike other animals on the farm, the reindeer are not killed for meat. Strictly herd animals, they thrive on the exposure of the highest slopes of the farm’s 700 acres.

‘I am very proud of our reindeers, and love seeing the joy in people’s faces as they pull their sleighs’

Left: Tilly Smith, the owner of Wild Farm, is passionate about deer, and bought the famous Cairngorm reindeer herd in 1989. Below: The stags have spectacular antlers.