Scottish Falconry

Falconry is the art of hunting with a trained hawk or falcon; its origins are in China but it spread through Europe and the Middle East where it became the most popular form of hunting for food. As a result, the sport became constrained with various restrictions on ownership of birds with a clear hierarchy of species ownership established from the crown downwards. The most prized birds were the Goshawk, and Gyr and Peregrine falcons.

As a form of hunting for food, falconry was eclipsed by the introduction of the gun but it continued as a sport among enthusiasts and has become very popular this century both as a sport and as a means of increasing numbers by captive breeding.

The training of hawks and falcons is a complicated and time-consuming exercise with daily flights and a precise feeding programme. By this means, birds are taught to fly to the fist to receive food, firstly while attached to a restraining line known as a creance and later, as confidence is established, freely. Bird weight is the key to its hunting efficiency: too high and it becomes lazy - too low and its physical condition becomes suspect.

Hunting with falcons/hawks on Scottish estates can be arranged and demonstration days are offered to those who wish to learn more about the birds and the sport.