Unlike a lot of hunting destinations around the world where a non-hunter has little or nothing to do, our Scottish hunting offers the opposite – superb hunting for the hunters and Scottish hospitality for the non-hunters. We have a car and driver available whose sole purpose is to look after the non- hunting guests and help to make it a memorable trip for them.
For the non-hunters the day would start at about 8:30 a.m. with breakfast. When the hunters have left for the day, which would be about 9:30 a.m. the non-hunters, with their driver, would start hunting among Scotland’s finest woolen and cashmere mills and see crystal and glass blowing. There are centuries of history and castles to explore, and the magic and myths of the rugged, spectacular Scottish countryside to see.
The touring side of your day would finish at about 4:30 p.m. when you return to the hunting lodge to be greeted by a warm welcoming fire and your hunting partner, when you can tell about the trophies that you hunted that day.
The day would be rounded off with cocktails at around 7 p.m., then dinner, following with coffee in the lounge by a log fire, thinking about the next day’s adventures.
Our aim is not only to make your Scottish safari a memorable hunting experience, but to make the trip a memorable holiday for the non-hunting guests.
THE HUNT
The hunting takes place right out the back door among 35,000 private, free range acres. The hunt is challenging and fun. You will hunt hard and get wet, cold, dirty and tired, but it will be rewarding. Relax, prop your feet up and have a superb scotch over the fire place in the beautiful 4 star lodge. You will be hunting Scottish, European, and English stags. Additionally, Brown Trout fishing is included in your trip.
Success on the five day, two stag hunt has been 100%. Hunting takes place at about 2800 feet above sea level in the Scottish mountains. Our host outfitter has conducted hunts for over 40 years in this area, the last 16 years out of this lodge. The lodge is owned by Alcoa and has hosted many discriminating guests through the years. The plantation hosts approximately 50 stag hunters per season. Four clients per week are treated to this first class experience. Clients can expect to see over 400 stags per day. Shots average 100-150 yards. Trophy stags average 8-12 points and 9-13 years of age. This is pure hunting in the finest way. Hunting is done by spot and stalk methods while hiking from areas accessed by Land Rovers and 8-wheel drive vehicles.
Getting there
Clients fly commercial to London’s Gatwick Airport and onto Inverness where they are met by the staff of the lodge and transported 1.5 hours to the lodge. The nearest town is Newton Moore. The plantation is located 60 miles south of Inverness Airport and 20 miles west on highway A-9.
Non-hunting guests enjoy daily tours free of charge out of late model Mercedes vehicles. Attractions include visits to wineries, churches, woolen and cashmere mills and glass blowing craftsman.
Included:
- 2 x 1 guided stag hunt including license
- Two stag hunt
- Japanese free ranging sika trophy – additional fee.
- Non-hunting guest – call for pricing.
- Includes: all gourmet meals, wine, (no hard liquor included) 4 star lodging, tours and tour guide, game care.
Also included is plenty of Brown Trout fishing on the estate in river and lake, and clients can borrow spinning rods if they don’t bring their own. Game care includes field preparation of the antler trophies, which is boiling the heads to museum standard as required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department, and packing so they can be taken back on the plane as baggage.
Not Included
If the hunters require the capes of their trophies there is an extra charge by the hunting estate per cape (because since the recent foot and mouth disease outbreak, new regulations say the front half of the carcass will be condemned by the Ministry of Agriculture inspector on arrival at the processing plant if it is without the cape), and for return to the U.S. the capes must be flint dried by a taxidermist as per U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. The charge for this is not included in the price of the hunt and is paid direct to the taxidermist by the client. Also not included in the hunt price is hard liquor, tips and gratuities to the staff and international and internal flights. Call for pricing.
Additional costs
U.S. firearm permit; clients may borrow a firearm if need be, free of charge. Additional caping charge of trophy. Call for pricing.
Dates
Our traditional red hill stag hunting begins at the end of August until the middle of October, and is a seven night stay/five day hunt. September is prime hunting. While all hunting for Scottish Red Hill Stags in Scotland is free ranging, we strive to get you good representations of the breed. Expectation is 8 points and above in total. For two stags and accommodation, all meals and round trip transport from Inverness airport etc. as shown in the attachment, the price varies for hunters and non-hunters. This is a 2 on 1 hunt to the hunting area and then a 1 x 1 for the final stalk. Please call for pricing.
Reservations
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your hunt date. All checks and credit cards are accepted by Riata Hunting Ranches, LLC. Call today to reserve your Scottish vacation hunting trip.
