January

In The Hills

Hind stalking, which starts in late October continues. On a warm day grouse pairs can be seen ‘clocking’ – taking up breeding territory with the cock displaying and calling to the hen birds in their distinctive fashion.

On the River

The salmon fishing season on the River Tay and its tributaries opens on 15 January with a ceremony at Kenmore to honour the river and the fish.

On the Farm

Cattle and Sheep stock are being fed. Pheasant shooting is taking place.

February

In The Hills

Hind stalking ends in the middle of the month. For the next two months deer have a tough time towards the end of winter and especially if the spring is late. Try not to disturb them.

On the River

A quiet month. Salmon are running the lower Tay and may be entering Loch Tay.

On the Farm

Cattle and Sheep stock are being fed indoors and out.

March

In The Hills

All birds including birds of prey and ground nesters are taking up their territory and beginning to build nests.

On the River

The trout fishing season opens ( 15 March – 6 October). There are big spring salmon to be caught on the River Tay and Lyon.

On the Farm

Low ground lambing is about to begin. Stay away from breeding ewes and keep dogs on the lead. You may see roe deer, hares, oyster catchers, curlew, partridges and pheasants out in the open fields.

April

In The Hills

Fox Hunting is taking place on all the estates in the glen prior to lambing. A busy time for breeding birds. Nest building. Heather burning takes place to burn off the old rank heather and to allow the new shoots to come through, upon which grouse chicks and young deer feed. You may see a ‘black grouse’ display during the early morning – called ‘lekking’.

On the Farm

The ewes are brought in from the hill where they have spent the winter – just in time to lamb. Lambing is at its height at the end of April and into the first two weeks of May. Hoggs (last years lambs kept for flock replacement) will return from their winter away, and will be released to the hill.

May

In The Hills

The height of the bird breeding season. Grouse, Ptarmigan, Merlin Hawks, Short Eared Owls, Pippets, Wheatears, Golden Plover and Curlew, all ground nesting birds are at the vital stage of their nesting. It is very important that they are not disturbed by humans and dogs. Stick to the recognised routes and tracks. In the hills do not wander into the corries. In this way you will also avoid disturbing the deer who are heavily pregnant and are about to calve. Birds of Prey are also nesting and must not be disturbed. Roe deer have their calves in the latter two weeks of the month. Their previous years young are pushed away from the family group. You may see young animals wandering around as if lost!

On the River

Fishing is taking place. The Code is inconclusive in its advice to recreational users other than fishermen. The River Lyon is very narrow and dangerous, especially in the lower Pass of Lyon. We would therefore ask visitors to check where it might be appropriate to carry out water sports locally. There are recognised places such as Grandtully and Loch Tay where facilities are first class. In addition it would be helpful to contact estates to find out whether the proposed activity will conflict with estates’ programmes and fishing.

On the Farm

May is the main lambing period. In the third week of May the ewes and their young are being returned to the hill. The mother will take her lambs back to where she was raised. This is known as’hefting’. Again it is important that dogs do not get in amongst sheep in the fields or on the hill. Cattle come off feed and return to the fields for the summer grazings.

June

In The Hills

Deer Calving. Stay out of the corries. Dogs on leads. Hinds leave their calves hidden during the day. Do not be tempted to touch the deer calves if you find them, for by doing this you will leave your smell and the mother (hind) will almost certainly abandon her baby. As with sheep, the hinds take their calves to where they were brought up, a very important process known as ‘hefting’. Do not stay late in the hills as the mothers need to return to their calves to feed and to bond with them. Again it is important that dogs do not get in amongst sheep (in the fields) and deer (on the hill). Ground Nesting birds, grouse, ptarmigan, plover chicks will fledge. The parents will struggle to rear them because of the weather, predation and disturbance. Human disturbance should be minimised. Dogs especially under control.

On the River

Fishing is taking place. You can expect runs of small salmon, known as grilse during this month.

On the Farm

Most Lambs returned to the hill. Hay and silage making is taking place. Stay away from operating machinery.

July

In The Hills

Deer calves are becoming more robust. The stag season opens on 01 July (01 July – 20 October) although not many estates start stalking until August and September. Occasionally you may find a notice at an entry point to the hills at Invervar indicating that stalking is taking place. We hope you will understand our request to walk elsewhere. Ground Nesting birds, grouse, ptarmigan, plover chicks will fledge. Some parents will have to have second broods having lost the first brood to poor weather (in June) or predation. Human disturbance should be minimised.

On the River

Fishing is taking place. You can expect runs of small salmon, known as grilse during this month.

On the Farm

Hay and silage making is taking place.

August

In The Hills

Although the deer calves are quite strong, they can easily become separated from the hind in bad weather and if disturbed. Look out for and stay away from deer. Stag stalking begins to get underway. Occasionally you may find a notice at an entry point to the hills at Invervar indicating that stalking is taking place. We hope you will understand our request to walk elsewhere. Grouse Shooting ( 12 August – 10 December) Much of the highland rural economy depends upon grouse shooting.

On the River

Fishing is taking place.

On the Farm

Hay and silage making is taking place.

September

In The Hills.

Stag stalking takes place regularly. This is a necessary process to maintain the herd in a healthy state. Old, weak, and injured animals are humanly shot. Many estates rely upon the income to support their employees and businesses. You may regularly find notices indicating that the activity is taking place and we ask that you walk elsewhere. Most estates provide a point of contact, so you are advised to check in advance to avoid disappointment.

On the River

Fishing is taking place

On the Farm

Cattle and Sheep Sales are beginning. Partridge Shooting takes place.

October

In The Hills

The red deer rut begins. The stag stalking season is at its height. This is a most important time for highland estates. We would be most grateful if you would avoid walking here during this period. The rut is the breeding season for the red deer. You may well hear and see the stags roaring and holding small groups of hinds. We have provided access advice. Alternative walking areas will be suggested. Enquire locally and in advance via the Tourist Office or The Estate upon which you are staying. Stalkers and owners will only be too pleased to advise.

On the River

The Trout & Salmon Fishing Seasons both close. (6 and 15 October respectively). Salmon and Trout are spawning.

On the Farm

Cattle and Sheep sales continue. Pheasant Shooting takes place.

November

In the Hills

The rut is still ongoing. Hind stalking gets under way. The rut will decline and the stags will return into their own groups heading for their wintering grounds. Hinds and calves remain in their groups in the corries and high tops (weather permitting) on the Estate. Walk on the recognised routes and try not to drive hinds out of shelter as the weather worsens. Occasionally you will be advised of stalking taking place. Please respect that advice and find an alternative walk. Consider enquiring in advance to avoid disappointment.

On the River

Salmon and Trout are spawning

On the Farm

Pheasant Shooting takes place.

December

In the Hills

Walk on the recognised routes and try not to drive hinds out of shelter as the weather worsens. Occasionally you will be advised of stalking taking place. Please respect that advice and find an alternative walk. Consider enquiring in advance to avoid disappointment.

On the River

Salmon and Trout are spawning

On the Farm

Pheasant and Partridge Shooting takes place.

Heather Burning - April

This burns off the old rank heather and allows for the new fresh shoots to come through, which young deer and grouse feed upon.

Nesting Time - May

It is crucial that at this time of year when the ground nesting birds, such as the red grouse, golden plover and many other species are most vulnerable, that they do not get disturbed. PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES.

Deer Calving Time - May / June

Do not be tempted to touch any of the calves that you may come across, for by doing so you are putting your smell onto the calf and when the mother (hind) returns she will not recognise the smell as hers and she may abandon it. The hind naturally leaves the calves for long periods of time as they are safer hidden in the long heather rather than running alongside the hind.

The Stag Cull - 1st July – 20th October

The Hind Cull - 21st October – 15th February

The need for a cull is even more apparent, with deer numbers increasing and their range decreasing. It is essential to ensure the long term welfare of the herds and that the old, the weak, the sick and the injured are culled.

The Rut - September – December

This is the Breeding season for the red deer. You may well hear the stags roaring, warning each other of their presence and should you be very lucky you may see these majestic animals battling for supremacy within the herds. The Code asks visitors to find out where stalking and culling is taking place and to stay off open hill when stalking is taking place. Estate owners and Land Managers are asked to inform the public daily of these activities and where they are taking place. Advice is to be given of alternative walking sites which visitors are encouraged to use.

The Grouse Season - 12th August – 10th December

Much of the Highlands economy depends upon grouse shooting. Years of careful habitat management have not only resulted in adequate grouse numbers but also a wide diversity of other flora and fauna, many of which may otherwise not be present in the uplands of Scotland. The Code asks visitors to be alert to the possibility that shooting is taking place, seek and use alternative routes, Avoid crossing land until it is safe to do so. Land managers should be aware where recreation might take place and attempt to advise the visitor and publish alternative routes accordingly.

Fishing

Fishing is a peaceful and pastoral sport, which contributes significantly to the rural economy in Glen lyon. The Code is inconclusive in its advice. Fishing is a peaceful and pastoral sport which contributes significantly to the rural economy in Glen Lyon. The river is very narrow and extremely dangerous in the lower glen and water sports are not recommended because of this and the avoidable clash with fishing. We would ask visitors to check where it might be appropriate to carry out water sports locally. There are recognised places such as Grandtully and Loch Tay where facilities are first class. In addition it would be helpful to contact the Estate to find out whether the proposed activity will conflict with local programmes and fishing.

The Access Code

The code is based on three key principles and these apply equally to the public and the land manager:

• Respect for the interests of other people. Act with courtesy, consideration and awareness.
• Care for the environment. Look after the places you visit and enjoy and leave the land as you find it.
• Take responsibility for your actions. Remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk free. Act with care at all times for your own safety and that of others.

How can I help?

• Ask locally if there is any specific estate activity planned for the days when you plan to take off into the hills or access a piece of water. Stalking, shooting and fishing is very important to local economy. A minor adjustment to your plans may help avoid disruption to the estate work while ensuring that you have a more enjoyable and rewarding outing.
• Find out more by visiting www.outdooraccess-scotland.com or phoning your local Scottish Natural Heritage office.
• Comply with local notices and requests. Stay on recognised paths, tracks or routes – They are advised for a reason
• Keep dogs on leads at all times
• Be quiet – watch – listen - learn and enjoy
• Remember, you are a stranger in a natural and wild environment, be as discreet and as unobtrusive as you can
• Please take all your litter home with you. Don’t leave anything behind which might injure or maim animals
• Avoid the risk of fire.

Local Help

• Ask the owner of the property that you are staying in
• Local Tourist office in Aberfeldy ( tel: 01887 820276)
• Local shops will know how to contact land owners
• Take a Highland Safari into the countryside, which will be led by a knowledgeable guide
• Estates may be contacted in advance through ‘Going to the Scottish Hills’ or via the Tourist Office
• Other agencies can be contacted through national and local directories.

‘Know The Code’

We hope that all visitors to Highland Perthshire enjoy their stay and hope you will take into consideration the management practices that take place in the surrounding land.