The Classic Scottish Field Sports Break

Experience a true taste of Scotland’s finest country sports while staying at one of the grandest Country Hotels in Perthshire. During your three-night break you will hunt game using Harris hawks in the stunning surroundings of Glen Isla, visit one of the oldest whisky distillery in Scotland, fish for salmon on the mighty River Tay and shoot clay pigeons in Fife.

For groups of 2 to 8 persons, we offer;

3 nights accommodation at Ballathie House Hotel near Perth

Based on double occupancy standard rooms with breakfast and dinner

The full-time services of a professional River & Green guide
1 session of clay pigeon shooting with instruction
1 day of salmon fishing (spinning or fly) on the River Tay, with riverside lunch & wine
Hire of all fishing equipment
1 half day of hunting with hawks in Glen Isla, with packed lunch
All transport within Scotland

Available dates;

23/09/10 – 26/09/10 Fully booked
30/09/10 – 03/10/10 6 spaces available
07/10/10 – 10/10/10 8 spaces available
14/10/10 – 17/10/10 8 spaces available

Price: £1,235 per person

Services excluded;

Flights to and from Edinburgh
Alcoholic drinks
Telephone calls

Hunting with Harris hawks

To go hunting with these magnificent birds is to experience one of the most ancient forms of Scottish hunting. Guests need to be dressed in suitable outdoor clothing and walking boots. In the company of two experienced handlers, we will walk through the stunning, heather-clad hills of Glen Isla, with a hawk on the arm of each hunter. When game, such as rabbit, pheasant or partridge are spotted – either by dogs or the handlers – the birds are put into flight and you will marvel at the bird’s hunting prowess as the game is taken.

The Blair Athol distillery

Blair Athol single malt Distillery stands at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands in the picturesque town of Pitlochry. Established in 1798, Blair Athol is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. The distillery produces a 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, with a mellow deep-toned aroma, a strong fruity flavour and a smooth finish. Blair Athol wins hearts through its contribution to the Bell's Blend, the most popular blended whisky in the U.K.

Salmon fishing on the River Tay

The mighty River Tay is a big river where it flows through the beautiful Perthshire countryside. This is one of the four great salmon rivers in Scotland and every year it produces a huge number of fish, including many fish over 10kg in weight. In fact, it was on the River Tay where, in 1922 Miss Georgina Ballantine caught the largest rod-caught salmon ever taken in Scotland; a magnificent specimen of 29kg. Being such a big and long river, the Tay offers the opportunity of excellent fly-water and spinning water. On the wider and deeper stretches of the river, many fish are taken using the “harling” method. This is where the ghillie skillfully manoeuvres the boat across the stream while working lures from two rods fished in tandem. You will be fishing on a prime lower Tay beat, near Dunkeld.

Clay pigeon shooting

We will be shooting clay pigeon targets at Scotland’s premier shooting centre, in the Kingdom of Fife. Each guest will receive instruction and have the opportunity to shoot 20 shots at targets which simulate the flight of various game birds, such as pheasant, partridge and snipe.

Ballathie House Hotel

Set in quiet seclusion on the banks of the River Tay on the edge of the Scottish Highlands, Ballathie House offers one of the highest standards of luxury hotel accommodation in Scotland. This four-star luxury hotel has been extensively upgraded and is recognised as being among the top 200 hotels in Britain.

Ballathie House Hotel has all the antique details and fine touches you would expect from a Scottish country house. Gently chiming clocks, gilt-framed portraits, statues and curios bring charm and character throughout the house. Many famous guests and royalty have chosen to stay at the hotel, not only for its secluded setting, extremely high standard of service and its proximity to superb fishing, but also for its award-winning gastronomy. Ballathie was a winner at the 2010 Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards, picking up the prize for best rural restaurant.