Autumn Leaves - Oct 13, 2020

I would like to begin this blog by sending huge congratulations to Alex Hogg on the absolutely fantastic news of the award of an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours. I cannot think of anyone who deserves this more, giving so much for so long to The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association, to Gamekeeping as a whole and on behalf of us all. Thank you Alex.

Thinking of Scotland and Autumn leaves reminds me of a trip I used to love taking up to the Highland College (UHI) to meet the students who came in for their week’s study in October. This is not possible under the current restrictions and guidance so we will be sending our packs and providing a video presentation instead for the time being.

We are doing our utmost to reach everyone and ensure we are known consistently across the shooting community, through personal contact – gifts and letters, by social media, podcasts, video’s etc. We know there are many who are struggling through redundancy, financial pressure, the usual weather challenges, and becoming usual attacks from the uneducated (either by choice or just not understanding), and more. The Gamekeeping community are amazingly self reliant, resilient and fortunate in living where we do through this pandemic. However these issues layer upon layer can wear down our ability to continue without support, either from our family, friends, work and others.

As part of the gamekeeping community and wider family we are here whenever and wherever and for as long as required.

Never hesitate to call us in confidence at any time.

As autumn turns to winter I hope your shooting has been able to continue

with the usual additional safety measures, stalking, fishing – whatever

you are involved in.

Take care all.