Fill your boots on a hill stalk

Stalking on the wind-pulverised Corbetts of Arran is as wild and rugged an experience as you will find anywhere in Scotland. Thanks to the generosity of Jules and Jamie Gibbs, who run the 25,000-acre Dougarie Estate that occupies the north-western corner, I was to have my first go at bagging a stag on the island. 

A cancelled ferry from Ardrossan meant we had to take a plethora of smaller boat crossings and an extraordinary road trip across Argyll, as well as an unexpected night spent in Tarbert, before finally making it across to Arran. 

Great quest 

By the time I arrived slightly late at Dougarie Lodge to meet headkeeper David Anderson, I already felt like I had completed a great quest. I quickly changed into my Brandecosse Tasso Four Season 9in hunting boots and said my hellos to David and Andy, my gillie for the day, then hopped in the truck to head back towards the north of the island to see what we could find. 

We stopped a little short of Lochranza and got out of the truck. David, who was carrying the rifle, set off at a good pace in the blazing sunshine and I did my best to cling to his coat-tails as we ascended Glen Catacol. We hugged the lower slopes of Beinn Bhreac, keeping to the north side of the burn that formed crystal-clear pools on the smooth granite outcrops. This was a rare day indeed. The lingering cloud that had earlier hung around Arran’s taller peaks had completely burned off and there was just enough wind to keep the midges at bay — a gift. 

David had a plan that involved quickly getting to the top of the ridge that rose hundreds of metres above us, then staying just below the skyline as we carefully moved along it. This meant an almost vertical ascent straight up the hill over the heather. We left the path and headed directly up the face of the hill, gently zigzagging to give us some respite from the climb. Again and again I placed my foot on an unsteady bit of scree or into an overgrown burn, and each time my Tassos saved me from a rolled ankle or bruised arch. 

As we gained altitude, tarns appeared in hitherto unseen corries and the glen perfectly framed the view out to sea, with the quartzite Jura Paps shimmering into view across the Kilbrannan Sound. 

Skirmish 

As we reached our desired height we spotted a mixed group of 15 or so stags and hinds behind us across a shallow gulley. For 10 minutes we sat and observed them. I was dripping with sweat from the climb and glad of the break. It was early September, yet two young stags in the herd were tentatively locking antlers, although their hearts didn’t seem to be fully invested in the duel. The encounter looked to have the vigour of a preparatory skirmish prior to the rut proper in a few weeks’ time. 

Although there were one or two appropriate stags in the group, David was confident of seeing others further on his planned route, so we decided to keep these reds as a backup. We were now at well over 1,000ft but a profusion of meadow pipits still bounced around the exposed rocky crags as we left the deer behind. As we continued, our jolly, if breathless, chatting quietened and we slowed to a creep as we approached each horizon to the dead ground ahead. This was where David had expected to find the deer. 

After a few repetitions of this process, David peered above a low-lying bluff. After a quick scan above the parapet, he sank back down and motioned for me to do the same. There were a couple of suitable beasts in this group but the approach was too open. 

We beat a retreat back around the peak of the hill and re-emerged on the same group from a different angle. We had now crested the spine of the island, revealing views down Glen Sannox and back across the Firth of Clyde to the islands of Little Cumbrae and Bute. Strangely for an island, other than due south there are no views straight out to sea on Arran. 

Urgency

David and I left everything but the rifle and crawled 20 yards forward to a handy bund line. I got behind the scope and he talked me through the herd. They must have become aware of our presence because several of them raised their heads and some began to wander off up the back of Caisteal Abhail. David remained calm but, with an underlying urgency, whispered: “Mid right, broadside stag watching the two hinds walking away, take him quick.” “On him,” I murmured in response. I took a good breath, let half of it go and fired. 

To the backdrop of Goatfell, the copper bullet struck true over the 218 yards and our stag went down. He kicked a bit but stayed put. On inspection he had 11 points, but David told me they often look younger than they are on Arran. The stag’s teeth were well worn and his cups had the telltale fishtailing of a head that is going back. 

Arran pop 

David got on the radio and Andy effected a rescue in the Argocat. We loaded the stag but chose to avoid the bone-jangling ride across the moors. Instead, we skipped down the glen to Lochranza for a can of pop at the Arran Distillery. Perfect in every way. 

The next morning, after a luxurious stay in Laundry Cottage, we went to cast a fly on Iorsa Water above the lodge in arrestingly beautiful circumstances — but to no avail. Pleased as punch nonetheless, we headed for the ferry with a deer

carcass from a stalk earlier in the week in the boot wrapped up in a bivvy bag that David had sold me at a reasonable rate. 

Without the right boots, stalking across the treacherous terrain of the Arran uplands, hauling deer out of bogs and prancing down ravines would be a deeply unpleasant and likely injurious experience. On these pages are three of my favourite boots to make the task easier.

Brandecosse Tasso 9in Four Seasons boot 

I recently went to collect a pair of these superb stalking boots for testing from the Brandecosse headquarters in the Glenkens in Galloway. I was treated to a detailed masterclass on their features and manufacture by none other than the boots’ designer Josh Trueman. 

Josh talked with great passion about the new modern styling of the boot and its unprecedented durability. The Tasso’s upper is made from a single piece of Italian nubuck, which reduces stitching and thus fault lines to improve longevity. The 360-degree rubber foxing makes these boots totally scratch-resistant and an extended calf-leather gusset brings the waterline within an inch of the top of the boot. I stalked across Arran’s uplands all day and no water made it through. 

The multi-density midsole and thoughtful lacing points offer superb ankle support and arch comfort. I have a dodgy right ankle and during my stalk on Arran in these boots, despite the horrendous ground, my ankle didn’t bother me a squeak. The same early September stalk was roasting hot but my feet didn’t end up feeling like boil-in-the bag rations thanks to the breathable Sympatex H2Out lining. 

The boots also feature delightful touches such as great balance as you bring your foot through, and stylish red grippy laces that don’t readily come undone. 

Price £309 

Contact brandecosse.com 

Gateway1 Fiordland II 11in leather boots 

The Fiordland II is a top-of-the-line boot designed to provide comfort, durability and traction. I tested a pair roe stalking in the Cheviots in Northumberland and they were terrific. They have a cushioned insole that provides ample support and shock absorption. I spent hours traversing steep hillsides and the soles of my feet and my ankles remained in one piece. The boots were excellent on descents thanks to the profile of the sole, which allowed me to walk for long periods at all sorts of odd angles without discomfort. 

The boot has a padded collar and tongue to prevent chafing, as well as a solid lace-up closure system, with eyelets that are easy to use even with cold fingers.

They feature an insulating double-density EVA midsole to protecting you from the cold, and the reinforced stitched rubber rand ensures these boots always maintain their integrity and impermeability. I was stalking in them at dawn through thick undergrowth after a very heavy dew and my feet stayed desert-dry over the several hours I was out. Even though these boots look chunky, they were light and cocooned my feet wonderfully. 

A robust tab at the top of the boot, and a pronounced ridge on the heel, mean they are simple to slip on and easy to remove. 

Price £314 

Contact gateway1-footgear.com 

Dedito Moorland boots 

I’ve been the custodian of a pair Dedito Moorland boots for a couple of years and, although I have thoroughly mistreated them throughout that time, they are still going strong. These 11in boots are totally waterproof and grip your calf in a way that stops water from sneaking in from above. The deeply ridged Vibram soles are grippier than a caterpillar track in golden syrup, and in a world where £300 is the starting point for high-end boots, these represent excellent value without sacrificing quality. 

The upper on these boots is also made from a single piece of Italian nubuck leather that has a polyurethane coating. This means that they are super-scratch-resistant, and after a day out, where other boots require painstaking reconditioning using potions of almond oil, beeswax and myrrh, these will be right as rain when left to dry and given the once-over with a stiff brush. 

The Deditos provide maximum support for your ankles and, despite my pointy gnarled feet, I’ve never developed any hotspots in them straight from the off. The Velcro front strap for keeping the laces secure is a master stroke. If you are not wearing gaiters the laces can be dragged undone by unruly brush or briar. The Windtex waterproof breathable membrane keeps the wind out and the lacing goes low down to the toe for a great fit. 

Price £245 

Contact deditoboots.com