Anne and Patrick and I attended the Game Fair at Scone, just north of Perth, last weekend, in support of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and what an excellent three days it turned out to be. After the debacle of last year's event, which was washed out at the end of the first day, this year was blessed with perfect conditions.
It was great to meet a large number of our members and supporters and to introduce new people to the need for moorland management. We were focussing in particular on our work with heather beetle and bracken control, but got involved in discussion about all aspects of moorland management.
- Paul Wheelhouse, MSP, Minister for Environment, visiting our stand on the Friday,
- Making the Golden Plover Award to Edinglassie Estate, Strathdon. People in the photograph:
- Malcolm Hay, Heather Trust Chairman
- Andrew Salvesen, Scottish Chairman GWCT
- Charles Pearson, owner of Edinglassie Estate
- Derek Calder, Headkeeper (who does all the work!)
- Stuart Young, Estate Factor.
- Patrick and me on the HT stand
- HT mobile HQ - the tent and 'Kermit' the camper van.
One of the highlights of the Fair was the presentation of the Golden Plover Award for Moorland Management to Edinglassie Estate, Strathdon, which was selected as a result of the estates excellent and innovative approach to moorland management over a period of many years. Charles Pearson was presented with a print of a Golden Plover that had been provided by the artist Colin Woolf, from a painting he did specially for the award, which can be viewed on the Wildart website.
We will be publishing more details about Edinglassie Estate in the Annual Report, next month.
This was the inaugural presentation of the Golden Plover Award, and we look forward to considering applications for next year's award, which will be made at next year's Game Fair.
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| Seen on the central display outside the HT stand |
