Callumkill
Isle of Islay
Scotland

IUCN: Listed on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as 'Least Vulnerable'

Image Story:


This day, I have been up 'The Hill' for the day, forecast for rain all day....and boy, did it rain!


This is a beautiful estate on a beautiful Island, full of variation in terrain, fauna and flora.


There are 2 ancient Oak forests (Site of Scientific Interest), there are ridges with streams between and it is all dominated by a large bare-faced hill with a trig point at the peak and 2 lochs/lakes near the summit.


There are herds of Fallow Deer and prized Red Deer generally taking shelter in the treed valleys between the ridges at night and in foul weather, or can be found roaming over the high ground of the Hill during the day.


Islay, with its isolated ecosystem not only has a claim to the most healthy herds of Red Deer, but the only natural pure Red Deer species in UK.


These Red Deer are a priority species within the Upland Ecosystems of the Argyll and Bute Biodiversity Action Plan.


The Deer Management Group meets annually to evaluate the health of the herd and to allot numbers to be culled for the forthcoming year. They cull only the old and infirm to ensure a healthy herd that supports the Island ecosystem.


A 'Royal' is a male with an impressive 12 points on his antlers.