The Rut

October is the first really autumnal month and it’s also the time when you can often hear the red deer stags (males) roaring across the hills as they stake their claim to their hinds and their territory.  Loch Riddon Bothy is perfectly positioned to make the most of this and the stags on the mountains opposite the Bothy can sometimes be heard echoing their calls across Loch Riddon or closer at hand on the hill behind the Bothy.

Red Deer Stag on the Road

During the autumnal breeding season, known as the ‘rut’, males bellow to proclaim their territory and will fight over the females (hinds), sometimes injuring each other with their sharp antlers.

Red deer are Britain's largest land animals, They are a magnificent sight to behold among the majestic mountain scenery and are wonderfully camouflaged especially at this time of year.

Red Deer Stag

Red deer are dark russet-brown in colour, with a paler buff rump patch and a pale tail. Look out for herds of large, sturdy deer.  At dawn and dusk they can often be seen at the side of the road or even in the middle of the road so it is wise to be wary of this.

Rutting Stag

It is thought that Scotland could be home to almost one million deer in total. The other species are roe, fallow and sika.

Recent estimates suggest there could be up to 400,000 red deer in Scotland.

Red Deer Stags Fighting