Hillkeeping: it’s in the blood. Ronnie Hepburn, senior hill keeper on the Clunes, Dalnamein and Glen Bruar beats on Atholl Estates is the fifth generation in his family to do it.
Ronnie Hepburn, senior hill keeper on the Clunes, Dalnamein and Glen Bruar beats on Atholl Estates, relishes challenges – three in particular: stalking, foxes, and what has been described as a good walk spoiled: golf.
Ronnie is a fifth-generation stalker following in the footsteps of his great, great grandfather, although that chain will now be broken unless one of his daughters does a career U-turn. But Ronnie’s brother has two sons, so there is hope for continuity on that side of the family.
Ronnie’s first real job on the hill was at Invercauld in 1976 where, having just left school, he did a season’s grouse beating, “a fantastic year for grouse,” and was ponyman to Peter Fraser on Baddoch for the stags. Winter he spent behind the counter of the ski-hire shop in Glenshee, and in spring the following year applied to Atholl Estates for the position of apprentice gamekeeper. He stayed at Atholl for a further seven years, first at Tulliemet, pheasant rearing and on the grouse, then moving to the home beat and, after having one season on the ponies, he took up the position of under-keeper.
In 1980 he joined the Atholl Highlanders, and clearly that first spell at Atholl with Iain Atholl, the 10th Duke, at the helm, is one of fond and happy memories.
However, it was at Invermark, where Ronnie moved in 1984, that he discovered his love of stalking, which stays with him to this day and always will. He says: “I’m absolutely passionate about deer, and when it comes to the defence Thanks to walkie-talkies, ponymen don’t have to rely on instinct any more, says Ronnie.
In 2000, Ronnie and family moved back to Blair Atholl – he felt it was the right time to move, and the sad, sudden and early death of Colin Reid meant a vacancy for a stalker on Clunes, which Ronnie describes as “a very wet hill, probably the wettest hill I have ever stalked – but none of the guests seem to mind.” Clunes is one of five stalking beats on the Estate, shooting in the region of 90 stags last year, with just under 430 stags shot across the Estate in total.
In Ronnie’s years as a stalker a lot has changed, kit in particular.
“The quality of the rifles and telescopic sights is now far better, and moderators and bi-pods have improved accuracy no end. Clothing has improved too, which for the wet hill I work on is a real bonus! But good walkie-talkies have really revolutionised working. We don’t use ponies on Clunes but, where they do, ponymen don’t have to rely on instinct any longer. Gone are the days of waiting for the stalker to wave a hankie or light a fire.” When not stalking, there is nothing Ronnie enjoys more than being up early on a clear sunny morning with a rifle on his back looking for a fox.
And he looks forward to the next round, whether one in the breech or over 18 holes, with an infectious enthusiasm that all who know him will recognise.
Ronnie Hepburn is on the executive committee of ADMG (01397 702433,
www.deer-management.co.uk) and the committee of the SGA. Most sport on Atholl Estates is offered as a weekly package of walked up grouse shooting, open moorland stag stalking and salmon fishing. Contact 01796 481355,
www.athollestatessport.co.uk
