Scottish ibex and ‘island' cattle

While some 'opportunities' are best politely declined, Mungo Ingleby ponders the fact that sport - and the enjoyment of it comes in many and occasionally unexpected forms

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THINKING about the new year and new directions reminds me of an email I received from one of the great characters of the West. Among other things, the estate owner in question always had an eye for any opportunity and only a passing interest in trivialities such as the law. He wrote: 'Please be advised that there is an opportunity here to stalk a feral seven-year-old Highland bullock with a Greifelt Dreiling Rifle. Jan to 16 Apr over three days to allow for skinning, extraction and so on and preparation of horns (four litres capacity).

I replied that while I thought a feral Highland bullock might well be a worthy adversary, his plan was morally indefensible and against the law. Nevertheless, our correspondence continued – I suspect we were both a little bored – and the details emerged. He had despatched a group of Highlanders to a smaller island for summer grazing. One summer turned into two, and they had recently declined the chance to return to the mainland, badly scaring those who extended the invitation in the process.