It has been non-stop these last 10 days with the Game Fair at Moy, meetings with conservation groups about their deer policy and now the media build up to the start of the grouse season. All week I've been asked for comments on the prospects for the season from newspapers in Scotland, England and overseas. Photographers have showed up to get pictures of me out with dogs and tomorrow we're doing a press day in Edinburgh, bringing a brace of grouse into the city in an old landrover, to be cooked by chefs. After all the pontificating it'll be a relief to get out on to the Lammermuirs myself on Saturday where I'll be loading for guests.
There's always great anticipation before the grouse season begins, and not just from the minority who will be shooting. There are so many people keen to get out to work their dogs or who just go beating to be able to work on a beautiful heather hillside. And for grouse keepers it's harvest season, of course, the result of a whole year's efforts in creating the best possible environment for grouse and other ground-nesting birds to thrive.
It was great to meet up with so many folk at Moy and the tent was really busy, with the burgers selling fast and furious from morning till night. Local stalkers cull around 12 stags which are generously donated by the estates then local butchers make the burgers and they're sold for funds. It's a big exercise in logistics and we really appreciate the work done by the men on the ground. And still on the fundraising theme, the annual Silent Auction closed at the weekend so thanks to everyone who donated shooting, fishing, stalking and other great experiences and to those who supported us - and bagged a great day out - by bidding for a lot.
Just a final observation for the week: I was in the restaurant of the newly renovated Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh the other day and was delighted to see venison on the menu. The downside was that it was £72 for two! I'm delighted for the restaurant if people are prepared to pay that but it certainly ain't feeding back to the estates which cull the deer. Something is going seriously awry in the supply chain.