One of UK's leading Falconry Centres, this operator is based in the stunning highland scenery of Perthshire yet only 45 minutes' drive from Glasgow, 60 minutes from Edinburgh and just 30 minutes from Perth. Located in the heart of a vast country estate, your falconry course is a real insight into the noble sport falconers practice.
The centre has one of the largest and most diverse collections of birds of prey in the UK, with Golden, Bald Headed, Batteleur and Stepps Eagles, as well as a wide variety of Falcons including some very rare breeds such as the Lugger alongside the more common Saker, Gry, Merlines and Peregrines.
Run by an enormously experienced and dedicated team that also runs a very successful birds of prey breeding programme, you are guaranteed a wonderfully rewarding falconry experience here in Perthshire. If you're looking for a Falconry day in other areas of the UK then please take a look at IntotheBlue's main Falconry and Birds of prey section.
Half Day
A packed half day course designed to give you a greater insight into Falconry. Your session will be spent handling and flying many types of bird, which include several species of Falcon, Hawks, Owls and Eagle. You'll be taught how to pick up and handle the birds, do a falconer's knot and 'free fly' the birds. The grande finale to your half day 'meet the birds' experience is flying one of the larger raptors, such as a Golden or Bald Eagle.
Full Day
During the hunting season this full action packed day takes place out in the Perthshire hills pursuing wild game with a number of different fully trained birds. Your morning session will begin with an introduction to falconry and then you will go straight to mastering the techniques of handling Eagle, South American Harris Hawks, Falcons and Owls.
A packed lunch is provided before you head back out - this time taking dogs and ferrets (conditions permitting) to work out with the birds. A full hunt will ensue as the birds go into action. The fully trained instructors will be on hand throughout the day to ensure you are completely involved in the hunt, providing you with information on both the flora and fauna together with other wildlife which will be seen.
Half day falconry courses last approximately 3 and a half hours. You'll gain an insight into the art of falconry and get the chance to handle and fly a variety of hawks, owls and falcons from the glove. The session culminates in flying one of the larger raptors like the Golden Eagle or Bald Eagle. Half days do not include any hunting with the birds. The instruction ratio is usually 5:1. There are plenty of opportunities to take pictures.
Full day last around 7 and a half hours. The morning follows the same format as the 'meet the birds' experience, then after a packed lunch you'll head out onto a private hunting estate with a pack of highly trained Harris hawks and dogs to hunt naturally wild game. At the end of the afternoon your instructor will prepare the days bag and you can even request to take some away with you. The usual instruction ratio is five participants to one falconer.
Half Days are available every day except Christmas day. Sessions usually run from 09:00 to 1230, at certain times of the year afternoon sessions may also be available 1:30 to 5:00. Half day sessions aren't affected by poor weather, if it's too wet to fly outside the centre boasts a 180ft indoor falconry arena.
Full days are available throughout the year however hunting can only take place from the start of September to the end of February 29th. Outside this period you can still enjoy the full day Falconry Adventure with the opportunity to fly more of the collections fabulous falcons but you will not go hunting.
The venue is a purpose built Falconry facility close to Gleneagles and Auchterarder in Perthshire.
Minimum age 14. You should wear sturdy footwear and sensible outdoor clothing.
Spectators are welcome but there is a charge of £37.50 on the 'Meet the Birds' experience and £79.50 on the 'Falconry Adventure' which also includes lunch. There is an excellent selection of accommodation locally from B&B to 5 star hotels, The operator has negotiated discounts at many and will be pleased to advise you. The venue itself boasts indoor and outdoor flying arenas, luxury reception areas with wifi and plasma TV. There is full disabled access and toilet facilities.