My passion is Deer and my Highland ponies and using them for work as nature intended.

During the months of August through to 20th of October I can sometimes be found up the hills with my ponies.

We work on Scottish estates taking the culled deer off the hill and back to the larder.

This is often long and cold work, and sometimes involves the dreaded Scottish midge - for which there is no certain deterrent as yet .I find the work very rewarding indeed.

I can be alone for hours on end, but am never lonely. There is always something out there to be spied on through the telescope.

 

 

To see photos of myself and my Highland ponies at work stalking, please visit the Gallery.

I have noticed an increase in the guests to the estates asking for ponies to join them on their days stalking. They like to see these calm gentle ponies carrying the stags home.

In fear of this tradition dying out, I have made a video on the subject - A Highland in Harness - keeping tradition alive , which is aimed to make a record the valuable work of the stalking pony for future generations to see and as an educational tool for ghillies and stalkers who work with ponies.

 

 

Highland ponies have been used for hundreds of years to bring home the game. It may take a little longer than modern ATV's, but a pony is a lot quieter and can access places modern equipment cannot.  Today people are looking for greener options - what better way to be green than to be authentic

The estates I have worked on over the years include: Rhidorroch, Assynt, Dundonnel, Gruinard, Eilean Darroch and Glen Affric. I have worked with some wonderful friends and taken out some fantastic guests over time.  What a great environment to meet such lovely people.

I am occasionally available for work along with either one or two ponies. If you would like to know more then please contact me for availability.

Stalking Demonstrations by The Frilly Ghillie:

I also do demonstrations with my ponies round the country shows during the summer months on stalking and what it's all about.

My demonstrations give an insight into the red deer cull, bringing the deer back to the larder on a Highland ponies in the Scottish Highlands. I will be available, ready to answer questions and promote both Scottish deer stalking and our beloved Highland Ponies.

The use of Ponies for carrying stags off the hill has been used since Victorian times when the guests would have ridden out and then returned on foot alongside the pony carrying their stag.

Highland ponies are excellent weight carriers and their kind temperament makes them ideal for training for many purposes. They are not very tall, ranging from 13hh - 14.2hh, making them an ideal height for lifting a heavy stag onto.

Their natural gait is a steady walk which is excellent over rough terrain. They are extremely sure footed and their natural instinct teaches them how to navigate their way around and across the many bogs and rocky ground.

There are three designs of  saddles for the purpose. Each design has been developed to the prefered specifications of those using them on different estates. This is why today there are so many different looking saddles for this use. The first style being much like a conventional riding saddle in shape, with added straps for fastening the stag on with. This is called a combination saddle. The second and third are the 'Strathfarrer' and the 'Glenquoich', which differ their strap arrangements and thier sizes. These saddles have two or three girths, a breastplate, breeching and a surcingle, all to help with holding the saddle into position on the pony. In addition, there are several straps for securing the stag in position on top of the saddle.

A deer chosen for the cull is either old, infirm or a switch. (A switch has long top tines/points on its antlers and they could damage and kill good quality stag should they go into battle).

My demonstration includes a simulated stalk of a (dummy) stag, and how it is then strapped onto the pony. I also explain about what clothing is desirable and why, and explain some to the equipment used.

Please contact me for more information.