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"Short Sketches of the wild sports and natural history of the highlands": Hunting in Highland Scotland
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THE
WILD SPORTS AND NATURAL HISTORY
OF
THE HIGHLANDS.
INTRODUCTION.
I have lived for several years in the northern counties of Scotland, and during the last four or five in the province of Moray,
a part of the country peculiarly adapted for collecting facts in
Natural History, and for becoming intimate with the habits of
many of our British wild birds and quadrupeds. Having been
in the habit of keeping an irregular kind of journal, and of
making notes of any incidents which have fallen under my observation connected with the zoology of the country, I have now
endeavoured, by dint of cutting and pruning those rough sketches,
to put them into a shape calculated to amuse, and perhaps, in
some slight degree, to instruct some of my fellow-lovers of Nature. From my earliest childhood I have been more addicted
to the investigation of the habits and manners of every kind of
living animal than to any more useful avocation, and have in
consequence made myself tolerably well acquainted with the
domestic economy of most of our British ferę naturę, from the
field-mouse and wheatear, which I stalked and trapped in the
plains and downs of Wiltshire during my boyhood, to the red
deer and eagle, whose territory I have invaded in later years on
the mountains of Scotland. My present abode in Morayshire is
surrounded by as great a variety of beautiful scenery as can be
found in any district in Britain ; and no part of the country can
produce a greater variety of objects of interest either to the
naturalist or to the lover of the picturesque. The rapid and
glorious Findhorn, the very perfection of a Highland river, here
passes through one of the most fertile plains in Scotland, or indeed
in the world ; and though a few miles higher up it rages through
the wildest and most rugged rocks, and through the romantic and
shaded glens of the forests of Darnaway and Altyre, the stream,
as if exhausted, empties itself peaceably and quietly into the Bay
of Findhorn, a salt-water loch of some four or five miles in
length, entirely shut out by different points of land from the
storms which are so frequent in the Moray Firth, of which it
forms a kind of creek. At low-water this bay becomes an extent of wet sand, with the river Findhorn and one or two
smaller streams winding through it, till they meet in the deeper
part of the basin near the town of Findhorn, where there is
always a considerable depth of water, and a harbour for shipping.
From its sheltered situation and the quantity of food left on
the sands at low water, the Bay of Findhorn is always a great
resort of wildfowl of all kinds, from the swan to the teal, and
also of innumerable waders of every species ; while occasionally
a seal ventures into the mouth of the river in pursuit of salmon.
The bay is separated from the main water of the Firth by that
most extraordinary and peculiar range of country called the
Sandhills of Moray, a long, low range of hills formed of the
purest sand, with scarcely any herbage, excepting here and there
patches of bent or broom, which are inhabited by hares, rabbits,
and foxes. At the extreme point of this range is a farm of
forty or fifty acres of arable land, where the tenant endeavours
to grow a scanty crop of grain and turnips, in spite of the rabbits
and the drifting sands. From the inland side of the bay stretch
the fertile plains of Moray, extending from the Findhorn to near
Elgin in a continuous flat of the richest soil, and comprising
districts of the very best partridge-shooting that can be found in
Scotland, while the streams and swamps that intersect it afford a
constant supply of wildfowl. As we advance inland we are
sheltered by the wide-extending woods of Altyre, abounding
with roe and game, and beyond these woods again is a very extensive range of a most excellent grouse-shooting country,
reaching for many miles over a succession of moderately sized
hills which reach as far as the Spey.
On the west of the Findhorn is a country beautifully dotted
with woods, principally of oak and birch, and intersected by a
dark, winding burn, full of fine trout, and the constant haunt of
the otter. Between this part of the county and the sea coast is
a continuation of the Sandhills, interspersed with lakes, swamps,
and tracts of fir-wood and heather. On the whole I do not
know so varied or interesting a district in Great Britain, or one
so well adapted to the amusement and instruction of a naturalist
or sportsman. In the space of a morning's walk you may be
either in the most fertile or in the most barren spot of the country. In my own garden every kind of wall-fruit ripens to perfection, and yet at the distance of only two hours' walk you may
either be in the midst of heather and grouse, or in the sandy
deserts beyond the bay, where one wonders how even the rabbits
can find their living.
The varieties of the soil and its productions, both animate and
inanimate, will, however, be best shown in the extracts from my
notebooks, with which these pages are filled. My memorandums, having for the most part been written down at the moment,
and describing anecdotes and incidents that fell under my actual
observation, will at all events contain correct descriptions of the
nature and habits of the animals and birds of the country;
though, not being originally intended for publication, they are
not arranged in any regular order. Here and there I have
quoted some anecdote of animals, which I have heard from others:
these I can only offer as I received them, but I can safely assert
that I have quoted the words of those persons only upon whose
veracity and powers of observation I could depend. My subject,
as connected both to natural history and sporting, has led me
back to my former wanderings in the more northern and wilder
parts of the country, where I had great opportunities of becoming acquainted with the habits of the wilder and rarer birds and
beasts, who are natives of those districts ; and the pursuit of
whom always had greater charms for me than the more commonplace occupations of grouse or partridge shooting.
I hope that my readers will be indulgent enough to make allowances for the unfinished style of these sketches, and the copious
use of the first person singular, which I have found it impossible
to avoid whilst describing the adventures which I have met with
in this wild country, either when toiling up the rocky heights of
our most lofty mountains, or cruising in a boat along the shores,
where rocks and caves give a chance of finding sea-fowl and
otters; at one time wandering over the desert sand-hills of
Moray, where, on windy days, the light particles of drifting
sand, driven like snow along the surface of the ground, are perpetually changing the outline and appearance of the district ; at
another, among the swamps, in pursuit of wild ducks, or attack
ing fish in the rivers, or the grouse on the heather.
For a naturalist, whether he be a scientific dissector and preserver of birds, or simply a lover and observer of the habits and
customs of the different ferę natures, large and small, this district is a very desirable location, as there are very few birds or
quadrupeds to be found in any part of Great Britain, who do
not visit us during the course of the year, or, at any rate, are to
be met with within a few hours' drive. The bays and rivers
attract all the migratory waterfowl, while the hills, woods, and
corn-lands afford shelter and food to all the native wild birds
and beasts. The vicinity too of the coast to the wild western
countries of Europe is the cause of our being often visited by
birds which are not striclly natives, nor regular visitors, but are
driven by continued east winds from the fastnesses of the
Swedish and Norwegian forests and mountains.
To the collector of stuffed birds this county affords a greater
variety of specimens than any other district in the kingdom,
whilst the excellence of the climate and the variety of scenery
make it inferior to none as a residence for the unoccupied
person or the sportsman.
Having thus described that spot of the globe which at present
is my resting-place, I may as well add a few lines to enable my
reader to become acquainted with myself, and that part of my
belongings which will come into question in my descriptions of
sporting, &c. To begin with myself, I am one of the unproductive class of the genus Homo, who, having passed a few years
amidst the active turmoil of cities, and in places where people do
most delight to congregate, have at last settled down to live a
busy kind of idle life. Communing much with the wild birds
and beasts of our country, a hardy constitution and much leisure
have enabled me to visit them in their own haunts, and to follow
my sporting propensities without fear of the penalties which are
apt to follow a careless exposure of oneself to cold and heat, at
all hours of night and day. Though by habit and repute a
being strongly endowed with the organ of destructiveness, I
take equal delight in collecting round me all living animals, and
watching their habits and instincts; my abode is, in short, a
miniature menagerie. My dogs learn to respect the persons of
domesticated wiJd animals of all kinds, and my pointers live in
amity with tame partridges and pheasants; my retrievers lounge
about amidst my wildfowl, and my terriers and beagles strike
up friendship with the animals of different kinds whose capture
they have assisted in, and with whose relatives they are ready to
wage war to the death. A common and well kept truce exists
with one and all. My boys, who are of the most bird-nesting
age (eight and nine years old), instead of disturbing the numberless birds who breed in the garden and shrubberies, in full
confidence of protection and immunity from all danger of gun or
snare, strike up an acquaintance with every family of chaffinches
or blackl)irds who breed in the place, visiting every nest, and
watching over the eggs and young with a most parental care.
My principal aide-de-camp in my sporting excursions is an old
man, who, although passing for somewhat of a simpleton, has more
acuteness and method in his vagaries than most of his neighbours.
For many years he seems to have lived on his gun, but with an
utter contempt of, and animosity against, all those who employ
the more ignoble means of snaring and trapping game ; and this
makes him fulfil his duty as keeper better than many persons
trained regularly to that employment.
He is rather a peculiar person in his way, and has a natural
tendency to the pursuit of the rarer and wilder animals, such as
otters, seals, wildfowl, &c.-which accords well with my own
tastes in the sporting line-many a day, and many a night too,
at all seasons, has he passed lying in wait for some seal or otter,
regardless of wet or cold.
His neighbours, though all allowing that he was a most inveterate poacher, always gave him credit for a great deal of
simple honesty in other things. So one day, having caught
him in a ditch waiting for wild ducks, on my shooting-grounds, instead of prosecuting, I took him into my service,
where he has now remained for some years ; and though he sometimes shows an inclination to return to his former way of life, he
lives tolerably steady, taking great delight at all idle times, in
teaching my children to shoot fish or trap vermin-a kind of
learning which the boys, young as they are, have become great
proficients in, preferring Simon Donald to their Latin master;
and though they attend regularly and diligently to the latter,
they make equally good use of the lessons of the former, and can
dress a fly and catch a dish of trout for dinner, gallop on their
Shetland ponies across the wildest country, or hit a mark with a
rifle as well as most boys of double their age. And, after all,
this kind of education does boys more good than harm (as long
as they do not neglect their books at the same time, which I do
not allow mine to do), as they acquire hardihood of constitution,
free use of their limbs, and confidence in their own powers. But
I have said enough of me and mine, and must refer those who
may have any curiosity on the subject to the following sketches,
as illustrating my doings and observations in my temporary
home.
It may be proper to mention that Chapters XXVI. and XXX.
have already appeared in print; some learned critic having
deemed it expedient to publish them in the 153rd Number of the
' Quarterly Review.'
CONTENTS OF "Short Sketches of the wild sports and natural history of the highlands"
Introduction...........I [AS ABOVE]
CHAPTER I.
Highland Lakes-Steamboats-Small Lochs-Wild Cats-Ravens-
Dragging the Lake-The Crea-Fishing at Night-Pike-Trolling
large Trout on Loch Ness-Flies, Otters, &c.-Fishing with the
Otter-Spawning Trout........7
CHAPTER II
Roe: Mischief done by-Fawns-Tame Roe-Boy killed by Roe-
Hunting Roe: Artifices of-Shooting Roe-Unlucky shot-Change
of colour-Swimming-Cunning Roe . . . . . .18
CHAPTER III.
Grouse's Nest-Partridge Nest-Grouse-shooting-Marten Cat-Witch:
Death of-Stags-Snaring Grouse-Black Game: -Battles of-Hybrid
Bird-Ptarmigan-shooting-Mist on the Mountain-Stag-Unsuccess
ful Stalking-Death of Eagle.......25
CHAPTER IV.
The Wild Cat: Strength of; Rencontre with-Trapping tame Cats:
Destructiveness of-Poisoning vermin-Trapping vermin . . 38
CHAPTER V.
Poaching in the Highlands-Donald-Poachers and Keepers-Bivouac
in Snow-Connivance of Shepherds-Deer killed-Catching a Keeper
-Poaching in the Forests-Shooting Deer by Moonlight-Ancient
Poachers .......... 43
CHAPTER VI.
Salmon-fishing-Salmon ascending Fords-Fishers-Cruives-Right
of Fishing - Anecdote - Salmon-leaps-History of the Salmon-
Spearing Salmon-River Poaching-Angling-Fly-making-Eels-
Lampreys .......... 51
CHAPTER VII.
Short-eared Owl: Habits of-Long-eared Owl-Tame Owl-White Owl
-Utility of Owls-Mice-Rats: Destructiveness of-Water Rats :
Food of-Killing Rats-Ratcatchers.......6*
CHAPTER VIII.
Crossbills: Habits of; Nest-Snowy Owl-Great-eared Owl-Hoopoe
-Shrike-Tawny and Snow Buntings-Lizards-Singular Pets-
Toads: Utility of; Combats of-Adders-Dog and Snakes-Large
Snake-Blind-Worm........71
CHAPTER IX.
On the Peculiarities and Instinct of different Animals-Eggs of Birds
-Nests-Feeding habits-The Beaks of Birds-Wings of Owl-In
stinct in finding Food-Ravens-Knowledge of Change of Weather
-Fish...........77
CHAPTER X.
The Eagle: Habits; Greediness; Anecdotes of; Killing Eagles; Trap
ping ; Food of-The Peregrine Falcon : Manner of Hunting-Tame
Falcon: Anecdotes of-Guinea-Hen and Ducks-The Osprey-The
Kite: Trapping-The Buzzard; Nests and Habits of . .82
CHAPTER XL
The Hen Harrier: Destructiveness to Game; Female of-Trapping-
The Sparrowhawk: Courage of; Ferocity; Nest-The Kestrel;
Utility of-The Merlin: Boldness-The Hobby-Increase of Small
Birds...........90
CHAPTER XII.
The Otter: Habits-Catching of-Shooting-Attachment to each other
-Anecdotes-Fish killed by.......96
CHAPTER XIII.
Weasels-Ferrets: Fierceness of-Anecdotes-Food of Weasels-Man
ner of Hunting for Prey-The Stoat: Change of Colour-Odour of
-Food of-Their catching Fish: Polecat-The Marten Cat-Habits
-Trapping-Eating Fruit-Activity of: Different Species . .101
CHAPTER XIV.
Anecdotes and Instinct of Dogs-Anecdotes of Retriever-Shepherd's
Dogs-Sagacity-Dogs and Monkey-Bulldog-Anecdotes of Shoot
ing a Stag-Treatment of Dogs . . . . .108
CHAPTER XV.
Increase of Wood-Pigeons and other Birds-Service to the Farmer of
these Birds-Tame Wood Pigeons: Food of-The Turtle-Dove -
Blue Rock Pigeons-Caves where they Breed-Shooting at the Rocks
near Cromarty . . . . . . . ..118
CHAPTER XVI.
Wild Ducks; Edible kinds of-Breeding-places of Mallards-Change
of Plumage-Shooting-Feeding-places-Half-bred Wild Ducks-
Anas glacialis-Anas clangula: Habits of-Teeth of Goosander-
Cormorants-Anecdotes . . . . . . . .126
CHAPTER XVII.
Birds that come in Spring-The Pewit: Pugnacity; Nests of; Cunning
-Ring-Dotterel-Redshank-Oyster Catcher: Food; Swimming of;
Nest-Curlew-Redstart-Swallows, &c. . . . . .135
CHAPTER XVIII.
Sheldrake : Nest; Food-Teal: Breeding-places; Anecdotes-Landrail;
Arrival of-Cuckoo-Nightjar: Habits of-Quail-Grebe : Arrival;
Account of Nest and Young-Baldcoot-Water-Hen-Water-Rail . 142
CHAPTER XIX.
Wild Geese: Arrival of; Different kinds of-Anecdotes of Shooting
Wild Geese-Feeding-places-Wariness-Habits-Breeding-places-
Blackheaded Gull-Birds that breed on the River-banks . .151
CHAPTER XX.
The Sandhills of Morayshire: Description of; Origin of-Foxes: De-
structiveness and Cunning of; Anecdote of-Roe-hunting in Sand
hills-Anecdotes ..... . . . .161
CHAPTER XXI.
Death of my First Stag........169
CHAPTER XXII.
The Findhorn River - Excursion to Source - Deerstalking-Shep
herds-Hind and Calf-Heavy Rain-Floods-Walk to Lodge-Fine
Morning-Highland Sheep-Banks of River-Cottages . . .177
CHAPTER XXIII.
Findhorn River-Bridge of Dulsie-Beauty of Scenery-Falls of River
-Old Salmon-fisher-Anglers - Heronry-Distant View-Sudden
Rise of River-Mouth of River.......186
CHAPTER XXIV.
Migration of Birds in October-Wild Swans: Pursuit of; Manner of
Getting a Shot; Two Killed-Habits of Wild Swan . . .192
CHAPTER XXV.
The Water-Ouzel: Nest; Singular Habits; Food; Song of-King
fisher : Rare Visits of; Manner of Fishing-Terns: Quickness in
Fishing; Nests of.........196
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Muckle Hart of Benmore ........ 203
CHAPTER XXVII.
Different kinds of Gulls: Large Collections of-Breeding-places__
Islands on a Loch-Eggs of Gulls-Young Birds-Food& and Vo
racity of Large Gulls: Salmon-fry killed by-Boatswain-Gull-
Manner of procuring Food.......214
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Woodcock's Nest: Early Breeding of; Habits of, in Spring; First
Arrival of; Anecdotes of; Manner of carrying their Young-Habits
of Snipe-Number of Jack-Snipes-Solitary Snipe . . .220
CHAPTER XXIX.
Seals-Destruction to Fish and Nets-Shooting Seal in River and Sea
-Habits of Seals-Anecdotes-Seal and Dog-Seal and Keeper-
Catching Seals-Anecdotes .......224
CHAPTER XXX.
Fox-hunting in the Highlands.......232
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Badger: Antiquity of; Cleanliness; Abode of; Food; Family of
-Trapping Badgers-Anecdotes-Escape of Badger-Anecdotes-
Strength of-Cruelty to........236
CHAPTER XXXII.
Autumn day on the Mountain-Stags and Hinds-Death of Stag . 243
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Peculiarities and Instinct of different Animals.....253
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Coursing Deer..........258
CHAPTER XXXV.
Tameness of Birds when Sitting . . . . . . ,273
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Variety of Game . . .......277
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