Falconry courses for beginners

Learn the art of falconry here in the beautiful highlands of Scotland on one of our bespoke residential falconry courses which are available all year round.

Falconry is not hard to learn but please read through carefully

The total cost is keenly priced at only £400 for the first person The course is 6 days long and from morning till late evening. You will be training the hawk not me. I just show you how to go about it.

Everything is covered.(£260 for each additional person) plus the cost of the cottage for that week. The accommodation part of package will vary dependent upon the cottage tarrif for that week of the year (discounts are available for weeks outside the main holiday period) "Hyperlink Cottages"   Part of the bird training will  take place indoors into the evening. There are 4 properties to chose from. All very nice and very clean.You may also bring your own dogs for which there is a small charge of £18 per dog. Though dogs are allowed We have to train the bird and dog together As birds do not like dogs. There are some key questions you should consider which will help you decide which course is right for you. Click on "How to choose a "Falconry Course" for more information on the actual course. Course Content


  Learning falconry doesn't mean you have to abandon your family and friends. You can invite family or friends to stay in the cottage with you while you are on the course. (There is no extra charge for this) If you choose Rowan or Holly cottage you can invite up to 3 other people. (click on accommodation banner to see details of each cottage). Your family and friends can watch some aspects of your training but will not get to handle any of the birds.

Falconry courses arrival day is Saturday from 4pm and you will have the rest of the day to settle into your accommodation or do some local exploring. The course starts on Sunday where you will first be introduced to your Harris Hawk, learn some of the basics (including making the bird's equipment and the falconry knot) and most importantly you will get your first hands on experience. (You will be handling this bird for the next 6 days)

The training continues each day through to Friday  I will spend as long as necessary each day with you in order to achieve the necessary level of competence and skill. This means that I am very flexible and don't stick to a "9 to 5" daily regime, often carrying on into the evening.It also means that if you come with a partner, family or friends you will be able to spend time with them during the day to explore some of the exceptional beauty of the county of Sutherland. For a full description of what is included in the courses I offer, click on the "Course Content" above.

I believe I can offer you the best and most cost effective way to learn Falconry. You are never to old to learn falconry.

Falconry is something that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It will get you out into the beauty of the countryside, into good clean fresh air and is an effortless way to exercise - best of all - its free!!

Falconry courses take place all year but to see birds hunting the courses must be booked between October and March. Outside those times no hunting is allowed as I operate a closed season on all game during their breeding season.

I breed hawks every year so can also cater for people who wish to purchase a bird and want to take their bird up to catching quarry.

Given that I have been doing this for well over 30 years I know I can offer you an extremely competitive package and give you an experience you'll never forget. I still have my very first bird, a female ferruginous who is now 31yrs old and possibly the oldest in the UK.

If you are serious about learning to handle a bird, experience days or falconry courses of 2 or 3 days from 10 till 4 are just not enough. (With a bird that has already been trained) I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the pupil training up an untrained bird. My years of experience have proved that a 6 day week really is the absolute minimum.

All the birds I use on my falconry courses are birds that are left in aviaries to go wild. It is crucial that you learn with this type of bird in order to develop your experience and confidence in handling of birds. Most other falconry centres will give you pre-trained birds. (These birds are already trained up in most cases) If you decide to take up Falconry you will have to know how to retrain your bird each season. When you do decide to purchase a bird it will come straight from a breeders' aviary so you need the confidence to know how to handle and train it.

Remember, even after the course finishes you will not be on your own. I am always happy to provide further help, support and advice by phone or e-mail. If you are interested in booking a falconry course for yourself or as a gift for a loved-one or friend please call me to talk through your requirements. Please read further down

You can phone me (Hugh Haggarty) on Tel No: 01408 622865 Or E-mail me highlandholidays@tiscali.co.uk

SO YOU WANT TO TAKE UP FALCONRY
Having done a course, if you wish to  purchase a bird from me,  the following list are details of what is required of you:
1.  A garden where the bird can  safely sit on its bow perch
2.  Mews (Which is a small lean-to  Approx  5ft wide X 4ft deep X 5ft high.  This is shelter for the bird in bad weather.  It is open at the front.  The floor needs to be covered with either sharp sand or very small rounded gravel
3. A bow perch with heavy feet, not the spiked type. + Bath
4. A good glove. (Be aware that your really do get what you pay for there)
5. A small set of scales.  A cheap digital set converted  with a perch is fine.
6. Access to hunting ground, so you'll need to speak to farmers but you also have to find out if there is any game on the ground.  You can fly a bird most places but if you are hunting you will need specific permission.
7. If you want to get your bird to catch rabbits, you will need ferrets and housing for them.
8. A good hunting dog (German Wirehaired pointers are the best in my book) Although a dog is not really necessary, they are the business when the rabbits are in cover.
9. You will have to learn some hunting skills along with a good understanding of the country code of practice
10. NEVER bring falconry into disrepute
11. A chamber in which the bird can moult out (March till Sept ). The size is approx minimum 8ft wide X 12ft long X 8ft High  The floor covering is the same as for the mews. I use fence boards with a small spacing between boards as this allows free air flow through the building. Plastic mesh covering is used for two thirds of the roof, the remaining third is a solid covered to give the bird shelter. If you try to moult a bird out on a bow perch the bird will become completely unfit.  Without fitness a bird cannot  truly fly and your chances of it hunting and catching rabbits are slim.
12. I supply all the birds' equipment on purchase i.e jesses, bells, swivel, leash. I also have the birds micro-chipped.
13. Your need the commitment to spend regular time with the bird. You get out of it what you are prepared to put in. You really need your weekends free to fly and hunt the bird . The season start approx in Sept when the bird has finished it`s moult.  Hard Penned  is the term used
14 Lantra (in my book not worth the paper it`s written on) I know of no Lantra course that will allow you to handle untrained birds
from day one. There is no law that requires you to have a Lantra Certificate so that you can take up falconry.

Falconry is in the blood, it`s like being bitten and you cannot get it out off your system. Falconry is hunting with a bird of prey. Hawks & Falcons are NOT PETS if you want a pet bird GET A PARROT.
I DO NOT DO FALCONRY EXPERIENCE DAYS  OR HAWK WALKS
If you only want to find out if falconry is for you or take it up at a later date then yes, do the course. It`s the best insight  A hawk walk will not do it.  I could write a book but you really need hands on to know if its for you. Hope this goes some way to help,