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Rutting Deer Ardnamurchan
Where to go and photograph rutting deer in Ardnamurchan.
I’ve been ‘shooting’ rutting deer (clearly camera, not gun) for 3 years now. The 3 weeks in October is a very special time to witness a very magical episode a deer’s life.
Note: It used to be the first 3 weeks in October, but now (probably global warming) it ‘seems’ to be the last week in September and the first two in October.
It’s been quite a learning curve, not only making sure to get a good shot but finding them in the first place!
I mean, we all know they are there, in the Highlands of Scotland, but where in the Highlands of Scotland - and how do I get near them to take a shot?
My first outing was in Rum, but I’ll cover that in another blog. 2020 saw Rum shut due to Covid, so we looked elsewhere, and Ardnamurchan was the choice.
I called a few campsites and was eventually guided to a croft owner near Acharacle - Fiona, and Fiona has a place right on Loch Shiel - perfect.
To the right of my tent (around the corner) there is a herd, on the hill behind me there is a herd.
At night you can hear them sploshing around in the Loch and they fight in the field behind my/your tent - if you’ve ever watched Jurassic park, they sound like T-Rex’s fighting and screaming!
Totally amazing. Take night vision if you can, get a front row seat.
OK, where can you see them?
In the hills behind the croft, there are a couple of herds. But my favorite place is Ardtoe Beach, about a 20 min drive away.
There’s a place to park for a couple of quid (honesty box), and you can also stay overnight if you have a motorhome.
It’s best at low tide to walk around the beach and up to the hill/s and plateau. You can go through the Sea Fish Marine Unit - although it’s locked up - as long as you respect the surroundings you’ll be OK - and wander up from there.
Beware though, once you’re up there, the deer could be anywhere! You could take 2 steps to the left and walk into one (I have) - I’ve even stalked up on a sleeping one, neither of us knew we were there and frightened the sh!t out of ourselves.
There’s a ‘rocky hill’ with a plateau in front and a larger one behind - which eventually heads over to Loch Moidart where you will be able to see (from the top of the ‘rocky hill) Castle Tioram.
You’ll get herds either side of the hill and usually resting females and young on top of the hill.
Once you have seen the herd, the fun begins with the stalk to get in position for a shot. Sometimes it’s taken me 3 hours to get it, other times a few minutes - sometimes the stag will investigate you.
But be careful, they either want to fight or mate, both of which are not appealing!!
Always approach with the wind in your face as near as possible (not from behind, they will smell you) and use the defilades to hide yourself. Don’t be tempted to take short cuts across open areas as they will see you. Keep to the edges no matter what.
Expect to have to walk through a lot of ‘wet’. Tip: try and have knee pads on (you’ll thank me for that) and keep looking through your binoculars every few steps. Trust me, they could be anywhere - and looking down on you.
If you get spotted, most of the time you have to start over and try from a different direction.
Be careful though, it’s wet up there (sorry to bore you with that but it is), so high top stalking boots are best - and take wet weather gear - you’ll need it.
Tell people where you are, if you break your leg up there, it’ll be virtually impossible to find you ‘in time’!
I drove to Ardnamurchan from Stirling way, through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe and then across Loch Linnhe on the Corran Ferry - after that it’s about an hour on, pretty much, single track to Acharacle - the guys in the shop will let you know how/who and where to stay.
(If you contact me I’ll give you Fiona’s tel number/email) her croft is about 10 mins from Acaracle).
Hope this helps and feel free to drop me a line if you want to know more.
N
It’s a bit rough up here!
Seahouses.
What a lovely place, got here on the 4th of Jan after a cold start in Arbroath.
Parked the van at Sea Fields Camp site and quickly walked down to the harbour - very cold with a big sea rocking the granite.
the good thing about this campsite is it’s open over the Christmas/New year season. It’s got very good pitches (our van is over 28’ but still fits OK) all are serviced.
There’s a restaurant, pool, gym and a ‘health suite’.
The sea is over the road and the town is 5 mins walk - well worth the effort.
N
