This week has been grim, wet and windy but nothung unusual. Pretty much steady gales as expected at this time. So when a sunny calm day happens what do you do. Well the most logical thing is to go and do all the outside jobs but on this occasion we decided the day had to be enjoyed. So after the basic tasks were completed and we took delivery of 30 round deer posts for our new planting block delivered by MV Seaflower we skipped lunch and headed out to the Gap. The stretch of water between us and Raasay.

The first wildlife we ‘bumped’ into was an Otter, quickly followed by a mature Sea Eagle directly above where the otter has scurried into the sea, whilst watching out for Mr Otter a Great Northern Diver popped up. She quickly swam away towards the Island at the mouth of Acarseid Mhor where the Stag and family that live there were out enjoying the sun.

Grant was reminding me about the Bamboo that is growing 100 metrees up from the shore on pretty poor ground, time for some action there.

There were a few deer on the tops but the next exciting moment was when we came upon a flock of Purple Sandpipers, very tame they say, well these were incredibly so.

Further along the coast Grant spotted a good old stag relaxing in the sun, quickly followed by a group on Eilean Garbh.

In this group our old friend, broken antler was the Boss. He had been rutting in the parks at Rona Lodge all October with some spectacular fights when young stags came sniffing about. He had obviously broken his antler off before he reached us as Grant picked it up over the winter a long way from Big Harbour.

So far we had seen a good number of deer on Rona, fingers crossed they will stay as we need the venison, our sales are going through the roof. Passing the Islands in the gap, seals were in numbers, Curlews, Oyster catchers and all the usual gulls, seabirds were knocking about. Good numbers for the time of year. We crossed to Eilean Tighe, checked out the Sea Eagles nest, there was not a lot of life there or any of the other nests but plenty eagles about.

We crossed to the Golden Eagles eyrie above the wooden shed on the top West side of Raasay (now needing felt). Where we saw another haul out of seals, plenty of them about at the moment.

There after we headed down to Fladda, to check on the Sea Eagles nest and have a quick check at Erlet and John Cater’s properties, we were happy to report no damage or problems. The usual windblown stuff and a few deer knockong about. Grant and Stacey had not been before so were fascinated with Fladda, it is a lovely wee jewel of an Island. On landing at the ladder in North Harbour we came across this old boy.

He was a right bag of bones, we felt he was looking weak and when he eventually moved off it was with difficulty, stiff and old, definitely a candidate for culling. Bit like myself.

Very skinny and stiff. After I came home and downloaded the pictures I was sure I had seen this stag before, with his distinctive antlers I was convinced he was what we called ‘TV screen.’ This was a stag that visited, I can see from my records in 2016. Of course his headgear has changed and is now what they would call ‘Going Back’. I remember he arrived and was very active that October on or around the 21st, on sunny warm days when we had had a late rut. A fine stag then, if it is him, amazing he has survived for so long. Apart from his age and he must be I reckon 12 to 15 years old, I wonder if he had a bad beating this last rut.

Since we butchered all our October stags this last year I can say I am amazed that the carcasses suffer so much damage and bruising in that month. Holes in the skin and holes with puncture woundswell into the meat, broken ribs are common, necks with puncture wounds and bruised all over are quite common too.

He has such a distinctive head I am sure this is him in 2016. I bet he can tell a few tales, he will be well travelled.

The sun was out on Fladda, we had a look at the geological dykes and the Sandstone, an impressive geology destination, popular with many over the years.

One last photo of the cottages with Dun Caan in the background, one day I will get up there.

Back up Loch a Sgurr, impressed with the light on the rocks, more stags plus a couple of hinds now on Eilean Tighe and sea eagles floating in the air, there were plenty about.

Another highlight before we berthed, a Redshank in the back bay, lovely to see but only one, hoping for two. Stardust Boat trips were in with a full boat of happy visitors, the sun fairly brings them out.

Finally, a hind and calf above the pontoon enjoying the sun deep in the heather, check out the calf’s ears.