***Remastered this is fresh update to the Outdoor Gibbon Podcast ***

Slipping through the Scottish Highlands in search of a red stag is a primal experience that tests both hunter and quarry. When an unexpected opportunity arose to stalk in Pitlochery, Perthshire, I jumped at the chance—with barely a week's notice and a 2.5-hour drive ahead.

The morning began with meeting Ben the keeper and his ghillie Gary, before loading into an Argo to navigate the rugged terrain. Typical Scottish weather accompanied us—one minute relatively clear, the next "chucking it down" with sideways rain that stung exposed skin. As we climbed higher through forestry tracks into open moorland, the distinctive roar of stags echoed across the valleys, signaling the rut was underway.

What followed was an exhilarating dance across multiple hills, constantly adjusting our route based on wind direction and deer movement. The terrain demanded respect—thick heather concealing peaty holes and boggy patches that required careful navigation. We observed fascinating social dynamics among the red deer, with mature stags behaving unusually, grazing together rather than fighting for territory as expected during the rut.

The moment of truth came after hours of patient stalking. As we crawled through heather to within shooting range, I experienced something remarkable—instead of the typical adrenaline rush, an unusual calm descended as the 13-point stag presented a perfect broadside shot. The 308 rifle performed flawlessly, and the magnificent animal, later weighing in at 113kg, traveled barely 10 yards after the shot.

What makes Scottish stalking special isn't just the harvest but the entire immersive journey—the challenging terrain, the unpredictable weather, the traditions of Highland stalking, and those rare moments when everything aligns perfectly in the field. Join us for more adventures and enter our upcoming social media competition for a chance to experience a Scottish roe deer hunt yourself!

Support the show

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/the_outdoor_gibbon/