Quality shooting days are what Balfour is all about For the last quarter of a century the words Balfour, Shapinsay and Orkney have been spoken in hushed, almost reverential tones by small groups of sporting devotees who love to partake in the unpredictable sport of wildfowling. Quietly - and almost by accident - the wild fowl (that's duck and geese to the uninitiated) shoot on the Balfour estate has become one of the world's most exclusive shooting clubs.
Orkney sits on the migration routes from the Arctic breeding grounds. Shapinsay is at the very heart of Orkney and habitat management on the Balfour estate itself has not only created an environment attractive to migrating birds but has also enhanced the attractiveness of the whole island of Shapinsay as a breeding place for many species.
Having wild birds on the island is all very well but getting them in front of a Gun is another question altogether. It is never possible to guarantee that a flight will be successful - wild birds really are wild - but at Balfour the many natural ponds have been enhanced over the years and many new ones created in such a way that they blend almost seamlessly into the unspoilt and ancient landscape. That coupled with local knowledge and year upon year observation and recording provide the shoot staff with an extra margin when choosing the location to visit.
The weather in Orkney can be wild too. The winds are strong and the rains heavy and cold. If you have ever seen a duck flare up in a 40 mph wind you'll realise that shooting in these conditions is challenging. The BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) describe wildfowling as shooting's "extreme sport" but the many years of hard work and dedication at Balfour have made the ponds comfortably accessible for the select few while retaining the wild element of fowling. The truly 'extreme' is also available for those who are fit and ready to enjoy it though - but always with safety in mind.
On a typical day the shooting party will meet an hour or so before first light to prepare for the morning flight. The party will either set out to decoy or flight geese or else with the aim of being in the right place for a morning duck flight. The final decision is the Shoot Captain's and will not usually be made until he has assessed the prevailing weather conditions in the light of his knowledge of bird movements.
On days with lighter weather the surrounding islands and tidal skerries offer good sport. A boat trip in the early hours in search of greylag geese quickens the pulse and raises the senses.
During the middle of the day there might be an opportunity to head out in search of snipe. And then, as the season progresses there are the most northerly pheasant drives in Britain to enjoy. Not the main reason for visiting Balfour but still very good sport when the wind is high and the birds soar.
The evening flight will almost always be for duck - either around a flight pond or on the shore. This takes place as the light drops and the night falls. Quality shooting days are what Balfour is all about. It is not about huge bags or easy, predictable birds. Instead it's about taking your opportunity when the elusive goose comes into range and about that final wigeon taken against the odds when it is almost dark. It's about adjusting your shots to compensate for the wind and ducking out of the rain between chances; about enjoying the astounding vistas and the incredible mid-winter sunrises. And then, at the end of the day, there is the prospect of conversations over a well-earned whisky in the gun room or the library and the quiet luxury of Balfour Castle enjoyed with friends............
