Moorland, river systems and woodland are all fragile habitats in which man can easily affect detrimentally. We try and sustain the natural habitats of these areas by minimising the impact of man's activities and encouraging the natural ecosystems.

Moorland at Aswanley

At Aswanley we have a small heather moor. It is an insufficient area to manage successfully as a grouse moor by itself, yet adjoining land is managed as a moor. So, we have also chosen this as a land use system resisting the forestry option. We hope to be successful in the recovery of grouse.

Grouse, Curlew, Blackgame, Goldern Plovers and other moorland birds don't thrive without management. Grouse require young shoots of heather to eat, protection from hooded crows and foxes. £21 million is spent each year on grouse management and shooting in Scotland. We spend a little!

We try and burn 10% of the moor each year to regenerate heathe. By burning strips of moorland it encourges the re-growth of heather which provides fresh stems for Grouse and other moorland birds. We also protect grouse broods from crows and foxes. This management also helps the gull colony on the hill. It is the second largest colony of Common Gulls in Europe, which despite their name are not! By arrangement with Scottish National Heritage this colony is now a protected area. So far, we have not achieved a surplus of grouse, as the third factor in the survival of grouse is weather. In east Aberdeenshire this has not been helpful latterly. However, we shall persevere.

We like the heather, enjoy being on the hill and want to look after the Grouse. If you are here in the burning season and want exercise, give us a call and be prepared to get hot - very hot! The reward ... perhaps a wee bit of the famous Grouse that is easier to manage!

Catch and Release

It is well documented that the long term viability of the salmon as a species is under serious threat. While this is by no means the fault of rod and line fishermen, it is nevertheless a fact that if anglers do not voluntary show some restraint in terms of the number of fish taken, then some sort of legal prohibition will be forced upon them.

At Aswanley fishing is by fly only and we recommend a voluntary code of restraint with a maximum of two fish to be retained in any one day. We support Catch and Release and can offer guidance in best practise of this conservation method.

The River Deveron Habitat Survey

The arable fields alongside the River Deveron at Aswanley are fenced off to stop animal erosion on the river banks and encouraging the rich natural habitats of these areas to flourish. Visit the River Deveron website.

Home Holiday Cottages Weddings Entertainment Horse Trials Fishing Shooting Stalking History Conservation Contact