Conservation & Deerstalking (Hunting)

Conservation lies at the heart of Arran’s land management policies.

Through the Arran Deer Management Group, there is communication between the parties involved with deer management. Deer numbers and their habitat are monitored and a planned cull is taken annually ensuring plentiful grazing for the remainder whilst relieving fragile plant communities of the mountain and moorland areas from grazing pressure.

The Island's open hill and mountains are home to around 1,300 adult Red Deer (approx. 600 stags, 700 hinds) and their calves from which the Arranland estates cull about 65 stags and 120 hinds each year.

There can be few things in life that go more hand-in-hand than conservation and sport and no thrill quite like that of getting close to the country's largest and most majestic wild animals in such beautiful surroundings. The ultimate is to challenge the deer’s hightened senses of sight, smell and hearing, getting close enough in such open country to select an old or weak animal to cull for the benefit of the others. Care, being taken over a long period, has resulted in benefits for all
We offer the limited opportunity to experience this challenge in due season.

Ideally a group of family or friends, numbering six to eight persons, would stay at Brodick Castle Kennels Lodge, bringing their own cook,and field one or two parties per day with a total expectancy of 5 to 10 stags (or 12 to 20 hinds) during the week.