A wildfowlers Paradise
Orkney is fast becoming one of the top wildfowling venues in the North of Scotland. Over 45,000 Greylag and Pinkfoot geese arrive during October and November each year, providing spectacular flights at dawn and dusk. Flights like this are very rare and really must be seen to be believed.
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The majority of the Geese spend the whole winter and spring in Orkney
before returning to their breeding grounds in Iceland in April.
The inland lochs hold a large number of ducks the most common spices being
Widgeon, thousands arrive from Iceland during October. There are also
good numbers of Mallard and Teal.
John a BASC registered goose guide and keen wildfowler personally organises
and runs all the shooting. A maximum of 6 guns per shoot ensures that
the party is guided on a one to one basis. The Geese are flighted as they
leave their roost and head for the open grass or barley fields to feed,
decoys and hides are utilised to enhance the flight. Feel free to bring
your own if you wish.
The evening duck flights can be spectacular; John has built up contact
with many local farmers and land owners and has exclusive right to shoot
the ponds.
Dawn Flights: Using his experience John will
organise the location and transport the party at approximately 6.00am
John has access to several shooting grounds which could mean a short walk
from your base, to a 40 minute drive to the other side of the islands,
returning from your morning flight to The Mekister and a wholesome cooked
Scottish breakfast served in the dining room overlooking the loch of Harray.
Dusk Flights: John will organise a trip to one
of the many duck ponds he has exclusive rights to shoot. Leaving the hotel
at approximately 3pm, again depending on the location, and arriving back
at approximately 6pm, where a warm open fire welcome awaits in the lounge
bar. A selection of drams will no doubt help to warm you up. Orkney produce
is served on the dinner menu, Aberdeen Angus beef, sourced within 10 miles
of the hotel, hand dived local scallops, Westray crab etc.
Information: John has his own dog “Ged”,
but guests are welcome to bring their own dogs with them, we have kennelling
facilities at the hotel, and a large game room for useful for drying off
your equipment.
The hotel has its own clay pigeon launcher and John can organise a fun
or competition shoot for your group, rough shooting (hare, rabbit, pheasant)
etc…can also be arranged
2008 Winter Shooting Tarrif
Shooting starts from £ 40 per gun per shoot depending on the size of group and length of stay.
All accommodation is based at the Merkister Hotel, where a special price has been set for all of John's shooting guests.
Bed & full cooked Scottish breakfast £35pppn
based on 2 guests sharing a standard twin/double room
£50pn for single occupancy.
Upgrade to superior room (larger room, digital plasma tv, loch view)
£10pppn
£65pn for single occupancy
Upgrade to terraced garden suite
(extra large room, wide screen digital tv, dvd/cd player, private terrace,
loch views, bathrobes, etc..etc…)
£20pppn
£95pn for single occupancy
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