Grouse Shooting over pointers in Scotland. It's doesn't get much wilder or remote than this.
We've shot with Dick Bartlett several times. Dick has got a few moors on and around Ben Rhinnes overlooking the Moray Firth.
To me this is as wild as it gets. Often just you, a close friend and the dog handler. You get amazing views and a true sense of isolation. At times you are at significant altitude.
It involves a significant amount of walking. You never know where the grouse will be be, how many will be flushed or what direction they will fly.
If the wind is up the grouse fly faster than anything you can imagine.
The hills in August are covered in a blanket of pink heather for as far as you can see. It's such a beautiful place and experience!
When the dog points, you need to get to it as fast as you can or the grouse will run. You slowly walk forwards, one of you either side of the pointer. Full of anticipation, never knowing how many grouse will jump up, from the short pink heather. You cannot understand how they can hide from you, when the heather is so short. But you cannot see them.
Sudden they call, the covey lifts and accelerate away at crazy speeds. You lift the gun with instinct, pick out a grouse and have a go. It really is very exciting.
It can be hard work, but well worth the effort.
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