Scottish Highland Red Stag & Sika Deer Hunt

2026 / 2027

Scottish Highland Red Stag & Sika Stag Hunt

1 x 1 - $6,500

TROPHY FEES INCLUDED:

Your Choice of:

• 1 Red Stag or
•  Sika Stag

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Upgrade to Both Trophies for only $8,000!

THIS HUNT INCLUDES:

• 3 Full Hunting Days
• 2 Travel Days
• 1 Trophy Fee (Choice)
• 1×1 Hunting with Local Guide / Stalker
• 4-Star Lodge Accommodations
• Arrival Day and Final Night Lodging
• All Meals
• Beer, Wine, and Spirits
• Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off from Inverness
• Daily Transportation to the Hunting Area
• Hunting Licenses and Permits (Not required in UK)
• VAT
• Field Preparation of Trophies
• Trophy Transportation to Local Taxidermist / Dip & Pack Agent
• Dip & Pack / Expediting / Raw Trophy Preparation
• FREE Estate Rifle and Ammunition

EXTRAS:

• Observer (No Sightseeing) – $1,000 / Trip
• Observer (With Local Tour Guide) - $2,500 / Trip
• Additional Hunting Day – $2,000 / Day
• International Airfare
• Taxidermy
• Trophy Shipping
• Gratuities
• Personal Expenses
• Trip-Cancellation Insurance

Or, you can add a day and an additional trophy Red Deer or Sika Deer for $2,000. That means it will become a 4-day hunt at a total cost of $8,500 and include 2 trophies or any combo of the 2 species you want.

This Scottish Highland hunt takes place in the remote Sutherland region of northern Scotland and offers the opportunity to pursue both red stag and Sika stag across 7,000 acres of exclusive, free-range Highland country. The property combines open moorland, rolling hills, and forestry, creating two distinctly different stalking environments and a classic Scottish sporting experience.

This is traditional spot-and-stalk hunting where the landscape and weather dictate the pace of each day. Hunters can expect to spend significant time glassing from ridges, reading the wind, and using folds in the hill, heather, and woodland cover to close the distance. This outfitter works hard to take mature, representative stags rather than simply filling a tag, with the goal of putting hunters in front of quality animals in a truly wild setting.

About the Animals

Red deer are one of Scotland's most iconic game animals and have been part of Highland sporting tradition for generations. Mature red stags are large, powerful deer carrying impressive branching antlers. The outfitter aims to put each hunter in front of a representative 10-point or better Highland stag and will pass younger or still-developing animals in favor of mature, quality trophies.

Sika deer were introduced to Britain from Asia and have become firmly established in parts of northern Scotland. Sika stags are smaller than red deer but are known for their alert nature, adaptability, and challenging woodland behavior. The hunting area holds Sika in good numbers and is recognized within Sutherland for producing consistently high-quality stags.

The Hunting Area in Sutherland

The hunt takes place on an exclusive 7,000-acre free-range estate in Sutherland, approximately two hours north of Inverness. This is one of the more remote regions of mainland Britain, with extensive open country and very little development. Hunting parties are kept exclusive, with no overlapping bookings or shared hunting pressure on the property.

The terrain is a mix of open Highland moorland and forestry, providing a combination of longer hill stalks and more technical woodland hunting. Open slopes allow hunters to glass over large areas, while the forestry provides close-cover stalking opportunities, particularly for Sika.

This is genuine Highland terrain where weather, wind, and visibility can change throughout the day. Hunters should expect approximately three to six miles of walking during a typical hunting day. The terrain is not extreme, but reasonable fitness, good waterproof clothing, and quality boots are recommended.

Scottish Stag Hunting Methods

Each morning begins at the lodge, where the day's weather, wind direction, and hunting plan are discussed over breakfast with your local stalker. The hunting ground is approximately a 15-minute drive from the lodge. Once on the hill, much of the hunt consists of glassing ridges and slopes before selecting an approach that keeps the wind favorable and the hunter concealed.

Red stag stalking often involves long approaches across open moorland, using heather, ridges, and natural folds in the ground for cover. At times, the final approach may require crawling through the heather to remain below the animal's line of sight. Sika hunting can involve more woodland and forested terrain, where visibility is reduced and slow, and careful movement becomes especially important.

Shots are normally taken prone from a bipod or from shooting sticks at approximately 100 to 200 yards, depending on the approach and terrain. Lunch is normally carried into the field so hunters can remain on the hill throughout the day. Once a stag is harvested, recovery is generally completed by quad bike or Argocat.

About the Outfitter

This operation is intentionally small and personal, with most weeks hosting only one hunting party. The outfitter emphasizes exclusivity, local knowledge, mature animals, and a traditional Scottish stalking experience rather than high-volume hunting.

Hunters are guided by local stalkers who know the property's ridges, forestry, weather patterns, and deer movements in detail. The owner is also personally involved with many trips, meeting guests upon arrival and often joining them in the field.

The Scottish Highland Hunting Lodge

You'll stay at Garvault House, a remote 4-star Highland lodge - mainland Britain's most remote hotel, that has been featured on Channel 4's World's Most Secret Hotels. Set deep in the Sutherland wilderness with no other building in sight for 20 miles, evenings are spent around the peat fire in the library or swapping stories from the day over a three-course dinner of locally sourced game and wild trout. All meals and drinks are included - house wines, beers, and spirits - and we're happy to arrange specific bottles on request.

Bedrooms are individually furnished and feature private en-suite bathrooms with views across the surrounding lochs and Highland countryside. Wi-Fi is available for guests who need to stay connected, while the isolated setting provides a peaceful atmosphere far removed from towns and outside distractions.

The trip is suitable for up to four hunters and observers. While hunters are on the hill, observers can enjoy guided day tours of the Scottish Highlands - castles, whisky distilleries, wild beaches, and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Britain.

Evenings can be spent around the peat fire in the library or drawing room, with a whisky, books, board games, chess, or the piano available to enjoy. Dinner is served communally and features locally sourced game, wild trout, and home-cooked dishes. A cooked breakfast, packed lunch for the hill, and three-course evening meal are included, along with house wine, beer, and spirits.

Additional Hunting & Fishing Opportunities

Additional stags may be added to the safari by extending the hunt. Each additional hunting day costs $2,000 and includes accommodations, meals, transportation, guiding, and one additional stag.

Sika are present in good numbers, while the established red deer herd provides reliable opportunities for mature representative stags. River fishing can also be incorporated into the trip, with the Helmsdale and Naver rivers both located within approximately one hour of the lodge for guests interested in adding salmon fishing.

Getting to Sutherland

Most U.S. hunters will travel through Edinburgh or Inverness, with Inverness Airport being the nearest airport to the hunting operation.

The outfitter will meet hunters at Inverness Airport and provide the approximately two-hour road transfer through the central Highlands to the lodge. Airport pickup and final-day drop-off are included, and no charter flights are required. The daily drive from the lodge to the hunting area is approximately 15 minutes.

Trophy Handling and Care

Trophies are managed from the end of the hunt through delivery to the taxidermist. They are dried, prepared, and transported to Alba Highland Taxidermy in Inverness, where dip & pack, export documentation, disease certification, and onward shipment are handled.

Red stag and Sika are non-CITES species. Trophies are normally delivered to the taxidermist within approximately one week of the hunt, and the hunter is kept updated throughout the export process.

Taxidermy

Alba Highland Taxidermy handles trophy preparation, dip & pack, documentation, and export. The full process from the end of the hunt through delivery to a U.S. taxidermist typically takes approximately 6–12 months.

The Hunting Season

This hunt is available from July 1 through December 31.

The Best Time to Hunt

The outfitter recommends mid-September through mid-November, during the rut. This period generally provides increased stag activity and excellent opportunities to locate and stalk mature animals.

Recommended Firearms and Rental Rifles

Suitable calibers include .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, and similar cartridges that meet Scottish legal requirements for red deer.

The outfitter recommends using the estate rental Sako S20 in .270 Winchester, which is fitted with a sound moderator and zeroed at 100 yards. Rifle use and ammunition are included at no additional cost, eliminating much of the paperwork associated with bringing a personal firearm into the United Kingdom. Practice ammunition is provided on arrival so hunters can confirm zero before heading onto the hill.

Deposit Policy

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm the booking. The remaining 50% balance is due 90 days before arrival. Final payment is accepted by bank wire only.

Cancellation Policy

The initial 50% deposit is non-refundable. Cancellations made less than 90 days before arrival result in forfeiture of the full balance. Where possible, the outfitter will make reasonable efforts to move the hunt to another mutually convenient week. Trip-cancellation insurance covering hunting-related travel is strongly recommended.

EXCLUSIONS: International airfare, observer fee, taxidermy, trophy shipping, gratuities, personal expenses, and any items not specifically listed as included above.

HUNT # SC-GSC-Stags