Two large pheasant shoots have come up for lease in Stirlingshire and Royal Deeside. The sporting leases are for 1,200 acres on the Blair Drummond Estate, Stirling, and more than 6,500 acres on the MacRobert Trust Estate at Douneside, Tarland near Aboyne in Aberdeenshire.
The Blair Drummond Estate, at the foot of the Trossach hills and also home to Scotland’s only safari park Blair Drummond Safari Park, offers a well-established low ground pheasant shoot in beautiful and easily accessible countryside which is just 33 miles from Perth, 34 miles from Glasgow and 47 miles from Edinburgh.
Recent years have seen the annual release of about 7,000 pheasants, reared by the estate gamekeeper, which provide 15 100 to 250-bird days and several rough days. The lease features 12 named drives, three of which are from game crops.
Andrew Duncan, of managing agency Strutt & Parker, said they hoped to find a conscientious and considerate tenant to lease the shoot for an initial period of three years. It is hoped that the current gamekeeper, David Leith, will continue in his role. A large farmhouse may be available for the tenant if required.
At Douneside, in the Howe of Cromar, the three-year sporting lease features a developed pheasant shoot, duck flighting and stalking rights, the latter by negotiation.
The shooting is over a mixture of topography with a range of drives and there will be a limit of 11,000 birds, pheasant, partridge and duck, which may be released under the lease. The shoot has consistently returned more than 45% for pheasants.
The trust leases an additional 790 acres of adjoining ground which could also be included by negotiation. Douneside House may be available for shoot breakfasts and lunches, subject to negotiation.
Simon Power, of Strutt & Parker and estate manager for the MacRobert Trust, said: ‘We are looking for a tenant willing to take on the responsibility of managing this fine shoot and developing it so it continues to be among the best in the north-east of Scotland.
‘This lease is a rare opportunity and has already generated substantial interest.’
Prospective tenants for both leases will be expected to provide a fully detailed management proposal with their tender.
Viewings are by appointment only. For Blair Drummond Estate, contact Mr Duncan on 0131 226 2500. For Douneside, contact Mr Power on 01339 881444.
