Birds of Prey in Scotland

When travelling with a group of friends, there are many opportunities to do group activities, in your own time and in the space of your choice!  You can always go on group activities when you are travelling of course, but it's pretty much the luck of the draw whether you find you fellow group members pleasant and engaging.

When we stayed at Drumkilbo House in Scotland, there were endless opportunities to undertake group activities, as the lawn outside the magnificent house seemed to be calling for a lovely day outdoors. 

Lesley has a passion for Birds of Prey, so it was arranged for Kingdom of Fife Falconry to come and provide a display. 



When the cost is divided among the group, it is a wonderfully inexpensive way to spend a couple of hours in the rare Scottish sunshine.  We were blessed with a particularly glorious day, so much so that the handler needed to spray the birds with water to stop them from becoming stressed in the heat.  The birds ranged in size from a tiny barn owl called Boo, to the Russian Steppe Eagle you can see here; there was also a rather inelegant vulture named somewhat unfortunately Vomit.

The barn owl in flight was a favourite with everyone, but somehow the Russian Steppe Eagle seemed just a little more menacing!  Everyone had a turn wearing the gloves and experiencing the thrill of the birds approaching!  The bird handler hires out this barn owl at weddings, where you can arrange to have your wedding rings carried by the owl to the waiting best man.

Group activities such as this add considerably to the memories of a holiday, even for those who chose not to participate due to a particularly healthy respect for talons and beaks!!  Not all activities have to be so flamboyant; on that same holiday we also arranged a formal dinner, and made impromptu trips together to the surrounding areas.  Our daily adventures always made for entertaining banter in the evenings!

If you have always wanted to do something like this, get planning!