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The base for Barisdale is at Kinloch Hourn. All materials have to come in and out 6 miles by boat or foot, which add some unique challenges to its management.
With
a reputation as a treasure trove of natural beauty, it is not
surprising there is such a large quantity and diversity of animals,
birds and fauna to be seen in this large area of wilderness.
Over
fifty different species of birds have been recorded on the estate,
including golden eagles, ptarmigan, stonechats, ringed plovers, rock
pipets, oyster catchers, pied wagtails and greenshanks to name just
a few.
Red deer live throughout the estate, although you have to remain
vigilant if you wish to see some of the rarer animals which include
mountain hares, pine martins and otters. Take care at nesting time in the spring, of shore birds nesting down the coast, and ptarmigan on the high tops, if your dog is not at your heel.
Owned by Robert and John Gordon ,the main enterprises and actvities at Barisdale are: lettings to hillwalkers and visitors, deer stalking, on going establishment of native woodland in temporary fenced enclosures, hill path maintainance and upkeep of the buildings and machinery. The estate has two full time employees and one or two seasonal workers.
A small business catering for visitors has been developed over the last 20 years as the popularity of hillwalking has increased.
Deer are managed as a sustainable resource through sales of wild venison and stalking rents and deer management. They provide the main employment. ‘Stalking’ deer has taken place at Barisdale since the 19th century.
As a member of the KDMG (Knoydart deer management group, which is made up of several estates) yearly cull targets are set. The aim of the Group is to conserve and maintain an environment that will enable the members to hold & withstand a healthy deer population on their land. This includes keeping the density of deer at a level where they’re not having a detrimental impact on vegetation, flora & fauna.
Our deer numbers are counted annually and once this has been done, we work out our cull for the oncoming season. Stalking is provided by a professional resident deer-stalker currently with over 30 years experience in the field. It’s under this supervision that guests are directed which animals should be taken out & culled from the herd. A number of animals culled within a season, consist of beasts of poor quality and ones that are too weak to make it through the winters.
All deer within our countryside should be considered an asset to everyone and not as a pest or vermin, if managed properly.
Barisdale currently work with Yorkshire Game Ltd who buy our venison and have been pro active in marketing this natural and healthy food directly to many leading restaurants throughout the UK and exporting to Europe.
Visitors
should be aware that deer stalking takes place from September to
February and we ask that during this time you
discuss routes with the estate manager when at Barisdale. |
