Activities at Ackergill Tower

Activities 1 | Activities 2 | Seasons 1 | Seasons 2

As well as offering outstanding accommodation, Ackergill Tower also offers a wide range of activites to be enjoyed.

Archery
Budding Robin Hoods to the fore, target butts in a row, test your arm & eye at this most Medieval of sports. Site with your dominant eye, allow for the Caithness breeze, adjust the trajectory for distance and let your arrow fly true. Targets back another 5 paces, another volley released.

For the true outdoorsman, try your hand at the sporting choice of North American game hunters in the off-season. In the walled garden hunt for blue fox, javelina, deer and wolf - life size 3D targets shot using modern bows under the watchful eye of Derry and multiple National Champion Harry.

Shooting
Up before dawn for duck, bacon sandwiches & coffee in the Gun Hall. Dogs pacing, Hamish sorting out the guns & cartridges. A final briefing then off to the Land Rovers and away to the loch.

In position as the first tinges of dawn appear. The rhythmic flap of wings as the greylags leave the water for a day's feeding on the stubble and the first of the duck - mallard, widgeon & teal, come in fast and low to sleep the day away.

In the evening we go for geese. In position before twilight, skein upon skein of cackling birds darken the sky. Some will pass by at 500 feet, others will circle and drop to Hamish's call. Walked up grouse, snipe, pigeon and even the odd partridge make for a good morning or afternoon's rough shooting.

Horse Riding
A hack through the glorious Caithness countryside, tuition if you would like for first timers and improvers or, for the experienced rider, 5 miles of golden sands provide the opportunity for a pulsating gallop to remember. Through the waves, over the river and beyond.

Fishing
Wild brown trout fighting to get onto the rod and everyone a record breaker according to Jimmy, the Ghillie, who has a story for every occasion and plenty to spare. For the game fisherman, sea trout ply the waters of the Tower's own loch Wester and Salmon await the chase on the mighty Thurso.

Falconry
Andy the Tower's Falconer will amaze you with his knowledge and skill with the eagles, hawks and owls. A spell binding display of some of nature's most agile and graceful predators. Learn to fly the birds, appreciate them and, if you wish, take them hunting to see them in their true environment.