Great topography on Muck
The Private Ferry Over!
Toby and Mary Greeting Us
EU laws apply!
Some crackers on this drive
After trying to catch some geese out!
Wonderful Scenery
Driven Partridge
After a great drive
The result of a fantastic goose flight
Walked up Snipe right on the edge!
On the way there...
With a 10 hour drive to my brothers hotel at Port Appin on the West coast of Scotland ahead of us we set off early on the Wednesday in a convoy with guns, dogs, heavy load cartridges, wet weather gear all brimming from the cars. A brief stop half way for lunch and to walk the dogs was taken near Carlisle. Why is it the moment we crossed the border it starts to rain? After last year’s trip with remarkably fine weather we anticipated Scotland’s worst. By the time we arrived the weather though had cleared up as we looked across the loch to the Island if Lismore, stunning scenery.
As 14 of us sat down to dinner in the Pierhouse Hotel’s award winning seafood restaurant, the “giant seafood platter” was an absolute must. With every type of seafood on the platter it is one of the finest seafood dishes you will find anywhere in the world. A great night of revelry followed, boys on tour! A prompt start on Thursday morning was required as we were asked to get to our chartered ferry as early as possible because of the spring tides. An hour’s drive past Ben Nevis and through terrific scenery in the full colours of Autumn found us in Arisaig. We abandoned the cars for our small ferry, the drop was too steep for the dogs so they were ceremoniously taken round by a small dingy to the boat. The fresh sea air and huge waves was a step change from the placid journey the previous year. A number of our party were looking rather green around the gills as our 1 ½ hour journey proceeded, the bottle of sloe gin doing the rounds was not welcomed by everyone!
First Day on Muck
Arrival on the island was like meeting long lost friends as we were greeted by Toby and Mary our hosts on the marvellous jetty, which is probably the most modern feature on the island. The island is 3 miles by 1 mile with tracks for 4wd vehicles. The Land Rover Defender was loaded with all our gear and we walked the short way to Port Mor Hotel, a quaint house overlooking the harbour. It was great to be back, for 2 of our party this was their first visit and it was a joy to see them marvelling at this splendid scenic island just a short distance away from Rhum and Eig.
A hearty lunch was ready followed by the commencement of shooting. Starting with a goose ambush we lined out behind some hills. The geese were then driven towards us and some of the guns let off a fusillade of shots for the bag of 2 Pinkfoot. Whilst we waited for the geese we saw both Snipe and Woodcock. All aboard the various 4wd’s we headed off for a duck drive at the other end of the island. Whilst some Mallard are put down, the Island attracts a large wild population. The wind was getting stronger and once the duck started to appear they flew like rockets. This was duck shooting at the highest of levels, fast and furious, all the guns loosed off sufficient cartridges to lighten their load considerably. Time for a drink! The selection was huge and the laughter and enjoyment flowed from us all. To finish the day we did a small pheasant and partridge drive just to get us into the swing for the full day on Friday.
Toby and Mary entertain their guests royally. Nothing is too much, and a wonderful dinner of local lobster, much wine and silly games followed. Relaxing in the sitting room with log fire, a whiskey is the perfect end to a day. The island survives on a generator as the wind turbines ceased to work 2 years ago and local politics seems to ensure the propellers remain still despite the perfect wind farm conditions. At midnight the lights go out and its really dark. Darkness on Muck is different to most places, you cannot see a thing! Scrambling around in the darkness encourages bed in haste. Sharing rooms is needed with the size of our team so brothers and cousins were together. The laughter from bad jokes went on into the night.
Second Day - Fully Driven
Friday morning presented us with good weather and a stiff breeze. Out of the 7 shoots so far this season only 1 had been dry. We were blessed again. A huge breakfast set us on our way. Toby organised us into vehicles and off we went for a variety of really exciting drives. Pheasant and Partridge curling on a 40+mph wind tested all the guns, the snipe were nearly impossible, in fact no one hit one. Standing on a drive and looking at the sea either side of you is a spectacular setting. You almost want to bottle the memories as this is a truly special adventure. Watching birds fly off the mountain and over cliffs at a remarkable height makes you smile, there is no way your gun can stretch to some of these birds. Shooting is about smiling faces and constant banter. There was no shortage. Lunch was held in the only restaurant on the Island, a charming bothy which sees many visitors during the summer months. It seems as though nearly all the Islanders are involved one way or another in the day’s entertainment, charm is in abundance continually.
We came for 150 bird trip and already the bag is being exceeded. With some exceptional shooting we plough on regardless, to hell with the expense, this is brilliant! Running a shoot on the island has its advantages, the birds cannot stray, there are no foxes, no rabbits, but beware of the Sea Eagle that makes the occasional appearance. Further drives ensued including another foray at the duck on another part of the island. Back at the hotel an evening of riotous behaviour ensued, thank goodness Toby and Mary are broad minded. As all the team played the Lancaster Bomber game on the floor and John the captain barked out the flying orders, we could barely contain ourselves. When Jonny the starboard engine caught fire water flew around the sitting room and many of us were soaked, Michael in the control tower had a lot to answer for. We will get him back! After, Toby quietly reminded us that goose flighting was on the agenda for first thing in the morning, be ready at 6.00 am. As there was no electricity, you are well advised to ensure you are organised the night before.
Third Day - Goose Flighting and Snipe!
We were ready for 6.00 and off out in the vehicles, well not all of them, as Michael had left the ignition on in one, so we had one less for the time being. Toby took us all to a strip of game cover that was being grazed heavily by Pinkfoot. He placed us in a wood beside the cover and immediately the geese started coming. You could hear them, but seeing them was more tricky as it was still pitch black, nonetheless geese started to descend on us. The loud thump near you as one was shot was enough to ensure you were watching very carefully on everything around you. This was exhilarating and went on well into the daylight. Unbeknown to us, Mary was elsewhere on the island on a quad bike ensuring that any other grazing geese were sent in our direction, her efforts were beyond the call of duty especially as she had yet another huge breakfast to cook.
Back for breakfast we looked towards the sea and with substantial waves crashing on the rocks, Toby suggest we may be around for another night. Shame, we cry! Lets’ go and do two more drives anyway and see what happens. The weather has turned and proper Hebridean weather soaks us to the skin. This doesn’t stop some of the fastest birds you are ever likely to see going over the guns, they don’t seem to mind the weather at all. The art of ensuring the guns are in the right place given the conditions has been refined to a high level by Toby and his team, we complete two wonderful days of shooting….or so we thought.
Back at the hotel we gather that the ferry cannot make it, the first time in 4 years of shooting trips. No worries, we say and Toby gathering there are a large number of Arsenal season ticket holders present suggests that he gets Sky TV out so we can watch the Chelsea v Arsenal game. With a 5-3 scoreline to Arsenal our spirits could hardly have been higher as we finished lunch watching the game. (Sorry Julian, we know you hate football). The afternoon was free, what could we possibly do? Off to do some walked up snipe shooting was the obvious conclusion. Walking over the peninsula at the end of the island in a long line was one of the most memorable moments of my shooting career. There were many snipe and at last we had some success with a bag of two plus one goose despite many shots. Back for tea and our last night.
With a total bag of 253 we broke the record bag by a long way. Toby and Mary’s hospitality was fantastic as always and the friendliness of all the team makes this one of the best shooting destinations available in the UK. Be prepared for any weather, it can change in moments.
