SHOOT FOR THE SKYE
Heading over the sea to Skye, Rosie Morton puts her rifle skills to the test on a simulated stalking experience with Eilean Iarmain’s head gamekeeper and crack shot, Scott MacKenzie
Gamekeeper Scott MacKenzie shows Rosie Morton the ropes on a simulated stalking experience
There are some things you just can’t put a price on, and as we clamber into autumn after six surreal months, letting loose on the sporting playground that is the estate of Eilean Iarmain seemed like heaven on Earth after months of lockdown. Located to the south of the Isle of Skye on the Sleat Peninsula, the beautiful Hotel Eilean Iarmain was to be my base for two days, and with Lady Luck on my side, gold and yellow hues reflected across the bay at dawn, carpets of purple heather providing the perfect backdrop for the day ahead – this is Scotland at its best.
But while going weak at the knees for a romantic landscape is a speciality of mine, I wasn’t here to admire the views. Instead, the estate’s head gamekeeper Scott MacKenzie had arranged for me to put my shooting skills to the test on their simulated stalking experience – the perfect way for those less blood thirsty guests to learn about deer management without culling an animal, and to settle once and for all who’s the crack shot of the group. Holding a shotgun was no alien concept for me, but being in charge of a rifle for the first time was an exhilarating, if not slightly alarming, thought.
My host, jesting that his earliest understanding of a gamekeeper came from Seth Armstrong from Emmerdale Farm and Roald Dahl’s Danny, the Champion of the World, was incredibly modest about his achievements. But I knew better. Known as the Skye Gamekeeper on his social media channels, I had read that Scott won the prestigious UK-wide Gamekeeper of the Year award just last year and had been instrumental in seeing the hotel win Country Sports Hotel of the Year titles. No pressure to hit that target then.
Quickly reassuring me that he was accustomed to taking novices out on the hill, as well as experienced shots including ex-cabinet ministers, high rollers with private planes and tourists in bobble hats and yellow wellies (which he of course advises strongly against), this rifle rookie was ready to dive head first into a fantastic sporting opportunity.
Better known to Gaelic-speaking locals as Fearann Eilean Iarmain, Scott keeps a watchful eye over the 23,000acre estate and all its wildlife, and knows it like the back of his hand. Bumbling down a muddy track in Scott’s pickup, he pulled up at the range to check zero, and most importantly to ensure I could shoot the rifle without doing any lasting damage to myself or anyone around us. After a satisfying ‘clunk’ of my bullet hitting the practice target, we were set to climb the hills in search of our first simulated stalk.
As we crested the first hill, the old lungs were being put to the test already, so stopping to enjoy the spectacular
panoramic views that stretched for miles allowed for a few deep heaves of fresh air. All that was left was to find the first target. Easier said than done.
All six of the hardened steel targets are positioned to emulate varying deer management challenges. Demonstrating the difficulties of shooting hinds with calves, and culling deer beside rocks or at awkward angles, they give an authentic taste of a real deer stalk.
Crafted by Tom’s Targets, each target is shaped to mimic hinds, their calves, fox and a majestic stag (affectionately known as Hector). These bronze-coloured targets were camouflaged beautifully against the autumnal hillside, so were incredibly tricky for the untrained eye to spot. Standing back patiently until I’d locked onto the metal hind, Scott watched on to see how the newbie fared. The sun beating down on our backs, I took aim – and to my delight that gratifying ‘clunk’ resonated once more. This was a fully immersive experience that I will hold dear for a long time.
Lolloping through the heather to find the next targets, I followed Scott’s footsteps safe in the knowledge that his chosen paths would avoid too many falls in boggy ditches, and chatting with him was a real treat – his passion for conserving the landscape and its abundant wildlife was clear, and he’s keen to help as many guests to see beyond the usual tourist traps, experiencing Skye through the eyes of a local.
‘Whenever I create an outdoor activity, it’s always with education in mind,’ says Scott, who has looked after the estate for 14 years. ‘It’s a great way to promote the wider work we do. Going out on a simulated stalk is a great outdoor activity that people enjoy doing, and in between each stalk you get a chance to talk about deer management with that person. You can challenge pre-conceived ideas of why we manage deer.
‘A tour guide coming to Skye for a 24- or 48-hour visit cannot possibly give a real representation of the landscape people want to visit. We encourage people to engage with the local community, to book an experience with somebody local – they’ll have a much better experience.’
Scott also runs guided wildlife walks on the estate, as well as argocat tours, fishing outings, woodcock shoots and camera stalks, allowing guests to get up close to handsome red stags, hinds, roe bucks and does for the perfect photo opportunity.
‘Photo stalking presents the same challenges as a real stalk,’ he tells me. ‘You’ve got to get in close; all the elements are the same. The only difference is you’re not pulling a trigger.’ As we enter the peak of the rutting season, there is no better time to head out onto the hills to hear the stags’ roars echoing across the estate.
Returning to Hotel Eilean Iarmain to enjoy a whisky tasting of the estate’s own Pràban Na Linne, The Gaelic Whiskies, and a hearty plateful of the estate’s own venison shot by Scott, the all-encompassing experience at Fearann Eilean Iarmain was truly idyllic.
Spectacular landscapes, fantastic company and top-class tuition from the master himself – I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Hector, you’ve been warned!
“Each target is shaped to mimic hinds, their calves, fox and a majestic stag named Hector