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Gundogs & Falconry

A smiling female gundog instructor pats her dogs in the back of an off-road vehicle

Falcons and gundogs are both noble creatures, albeit of a rather different nature. And with our series of handling experiences, you’ll discover so much more about them and your own skills too.

Enquire now

Falconry

Gleneagles is home to The British School of Falconry and a truly beautiful place to learn all about these magnificent birds of prey. Our group and individual falconry experience lessons have been created to suit novices and experienced handlers alike.

An instructor shows a guest how to hold a harris hawk
45 mins / £115pp

Introduction to Falconry

A hands on experience for beginners learning to handle and fly a Harris hawk.
Learn More
A group receiving a falconry lesson
45 mins / £335

Family Falconry

Our expert falconers teach the basic skills and techniques of this fascinating and ancient sport.
Learn More
A Harris Hawk poised on top of a falconer's glove
Half-full day / From £270pp

Hawking

Your skills can be developed further during sessions hunting with the birds on nearby sporting estates.
Learn More
An instructor shows a guest how to hold a harris hawk
45 mins / £115pp

Introduction to Falconry

A hands on experience for beginners learning to handle and fly a Harris hawk.
Learn More
A group receiving a falconry lesson
45 mins / £335

Family Falconry

Our expert falconers teach the basic skills and techniques of this fascinating and ancient sport.
Learn More
A Harris Hawk poised on top of a falconer's glove
Half-full day / From £270pp

Hawking

Your skills can be developed further during sessions hunting with the birds on nearby sporting estates.
Learn More

Gundogs

With lessons taking place on the lawns leading down to Laich Loch, our gundog training experiences simulate typical sporting conditions, teaching you to work with these intelligent animals on agility, retrieves and obedience.

Great for beginners
Two golden Labradors running through heather
45 mins / £115pp

Introductory Gundog Lesson

During the lesson, an instructor will introduce the dog and explain the principles of controlling a gundog in the field.
Learn More
Young children being show the labradors by gundog instructors
60 mins / £335 per family

Family Gundog Lesson

Put the school’s highly trained labradors through their paces.
Learn More
A gundog sitting side on next to a handler with a bag
90 mins / £195pp

Combined Lesson

A combination of an Introductory Gundog Lesson and a Fieldcraft Lesson.
Learn More
A group watching a labrador jump over a fallen tree in a fieldcraft lesson
45 mins / £115pp

Fieldcraft Lesson

Handle a dog over a rustic agility course for a variety of retrieves.
Learn More
A golden Labrador chasing after a decoy pheasant
75 mins / £150pp

Trials Session

Trials Sessions afford guests the opportunity to handle a dog for more demanding retrieves, fired from an automatic launcher over heather moorland.
Learn More
A golden labrador leaps over a fence towards the camera
45 mins / £115 pp (up to 4)

Gundog Scurry

Scurries are a test of a gundog’s speed, ability and initiative.
Learn More
A golden Labrador swimming through a loch on a rainy day with a decoy in its mouth
From 45 mins / £115 pp

Training Techniques

Techniques sessions guide you through the methods for training gundogs.
Learn More
A golden Labrador chasing after a decoy pheasant
75 mins / £150pp

Trials Session

Trials Sessions afford guests the opportunity to handle a dog for more demanding retrieves, fired from an automatic launcher over heather moorland.
Learn More
A golden labrador leaps over a fence towards the camera
45 mins / £115 pp (up to 4)

Gundog Scurry

Scurries are a test of a gundog’s speed, ability and initiative.
Learn More
A golden Labrador swimming through a loch on a rainy day with a decoy in its mouth
From 45 mins / £115 pp

Training Techniques

Techniques sessions guide you through the methods for training gundogs.
Learn More

Ferrets

Hugely enjoyable for all ages, The Ferret School is the first school of its kind at a hotel. In Britain, as far back as the thirteenth century, man has domesticated ferrets to hunt rabbits for the table, but the ferret’s friendly nature has also enabled it to charm itself into peoples’ affections.

A boy holding a ferret in front of him on a lawn
From 45 mins / £115pp

Ferret Lessons

Children aged eight and up, and animal-loving adults, can take a 45 minute lesson during which they will learn how to handle and hold a ferret correctly and how to walk it on a harness lead.
Learn More
A boy holding a ferret in front of him on a lawn
From 45 mins / £115pp

Ferret Lessons

Children aged eight and up, and animal-loving adults, can take a 45 minute lesson during which they will learn how to handle and hold a ferret correctly and how to walk it on a harness lead.
Learn More
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Bespoke Adventures

Our playground planners create personalised itineraries for families, individuals and groups in search of fun countryside pursuits and leisure activities.

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The Glorious Playground

Enjoy more of what Gleneagles has to offer around the resort.

Introduction to Falconry

Enquire Now
A man holds a Harris Hawk while being shown by a falconry instructor

DESCRIPTION

Equipped with a sporting jacket, boots, and a falconer’s glove – all of which are provided by the school – you will be guided through the essential techniques of working with these magnificent birds of prey.

Details

45 minutes and £115 per person

Family Falconry

Enquire Now
A woman holds a Harris Hawk while her friends and instructor look on

DESCRIPTION

Our expert falconers teach the basic skills and techniques of this fascinating sport – one of the oldest and most aristocratic in the world – providing families with hands-on experience of handling and flying Harris hawks.

Includes a private flying demonstration, including eagles, hawks and falcons, with an opportunity for guests to handle and fly Harris hawks.

Suitable for family groups of up to five people. If children are small, hawks may be shared amongst the group.

Details

45 minutes lesson – £335 per family

Hawking

Enquire Now
A Harris Hawk on a falconer's glove

DESCRIPTION

Your skills can be developed further during sessions hunting with the hawks on nearby sporting estates, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Scottish countryside in a unique and memorable way.

During this hunting session guests fly Harris hawks at rabbits and game birds in season on local sporting estates.

PRICES

½ Day Hawking

£270 per person (2½ hours)

Full Day Hawking

£450 per person (5-6hours, broken in two 2.5-3 hour sections with time for you to take lunch between)

Non Participant 1/2 Day / Full Day

£99 / £150 per person

Introduction to Falconry

Enquire Now
A man holds a Harris Hawk while being shown by a falconry instructor

DESCRIPTION

Equipped with a sporting jacket, boots, and a falconer’s glove – all of which are provided by the school – you will be guided through the essential techniques of working with these magnificent birds of prey.

Details

45 minutes and £115 per person

Family Falconry

Enquire Now
A woman holds a Harris Hawk while her friends and instructor look on

DESCRIPTION

Our expert falconers teach the basic skills and techniques of this fascinating sport – one of the oldest and most aristocratic in the world – providing families with hands-on experience of handling and flying Harris hawks.

Includes a private flying demonstration, including eagles, hawks and falcons, with an opportunity for guests to handle and fly Harris hawks.

Suitable for family groups of up to five people. If children are small, hawks may be shared amongst the group.

Details

45 minutes lesson – £335 per family

Hawking

Enquire Now
A Harris Hawk on a falconer's glove

DESCRIPTION

Your skills can be developed further during sessions hunting with the hawks on nearby sporting estates, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Scottish countryside in a unique and memorable way.

During this hunting session guests fly Harris hawks at rabbits and game birds in season on local sporting estates.

PRICES

½ Day Hawking

£270 per person (2½ hours)

Full Day Hawking

£450 per person (5-6hours, broken in two 2.5-3 hour sections with time for you to take lunch between)

Non Participant 1/2 Day / Full Day

£99 / £150 per person

Introductory Gundog Lesson

Enquire Now
Two golden labradors run through a heather moorland in the sunshine

DESCRIPTION

During the lesson, an instructor will introduce the dog and explain the principles of controlling a gundog in the field. The popular breeds of gundogs will be explored, together with their history and abilities. Soon you will take control of a labrador and learn skills from basic obedience to retrieves.

DETAILS

45 minutes and £115 per person

Minimum age 12 years; younger guests aged 8 – 11 years can enjoy a Junior Gundog Lesson,

Family Gundog Lesson

Enquire Now
A golden Labrador looking at the camera

DESCRIPTION

Families can enjoy learning gundog handling together as they are taught how to put the school’s highly trained and enthusiastic labradors through their paces.

Your instructor will explain the principles of controlling gundogs in the field. Soon you will take control of the dog and learn to progress from basic obedience to retrieves.

Details

60 minus and £335 per family

Children must be a minimum age of 8 years.

Combined Lesson

Enquire Now
A gundog and its handler

DESCRIPTION

A combination of an Introductory Gundog Lesson and a Fieldcraft Lesson.

This is a comprehensive session combining basic handling skills and the pleasure of handling a Labrador for retrieves over rustic obstacles and in water.

Details

90 minutes, £195 per person.

Minimum age 12 years.

Fieldcraft Lesson

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A group of people watch a sundog jumping over a fallen tree

DESCRIPTION

More advanced Fieldcraft Lessons are also available, where guests handle a dog over a rustic agility course, with pheasant flushes, rising duck and rabbit retrieves over obstacles and in water.

Training dummies simulate wild game. Suitable for teenagers and adults, the lessons provide a memorable and hugely enjoyable opportunity to spend time with a first-class working gundog.

Details

45 minutes and £115 per person

Trials Session

Enquire Now
A Labrador with a decoy pheasant

DESCRIPTION

Trials Sessions afford guests the opportunity to handle a dog for more demanding retrieves, fired from an automatic launcher over heather moorland.

Details

75 minutes and £150 per person

Gundog Scurry

Enquire Now
A gundog jumping a fence toward the camera

DESCRIPTION

Gundog Scurries are held throughout the summer at country shows and game fairs. They are a test of a gundog’s speed, ability and initiative and also of handling techniques.

We have custom-built a “scurry pen” at the school which incorporates two jumps. Dummies are thrown by the instructor, or from an automatic launcher into a custom-built scurry pen. Guests send the dogs for retrieves, timed with a stopwatch.

There are different events within the scurry, including “Pick and Mix”, “Steeplechase” and “Bulldog”, incorporating different types of retrieve designed to help the dog and the handler to develop skills which are useful in the shooting field.

Details

45 minutes and £115 per person (up to four people)

Guests must have completed an Introductory lesson and a Fieldcraft session at The Gundog School before booking a scurry session.

Training Techniques

Enquire Now
A gundog with a decoy in its mouth swimming in water

DESCRIPTION

Guest who have completed an Introductory Lesson and a Fieldcraft Lesson can now learn the tricks of the trade with labradors from The Gundog School.

Have you ever wondered how top gundogs are actually trained? Since The Gundog School opened at Gleneagles in 2007, thousands of guests have experienced the particular pleasure of handling and working one of the school’s highly trained and magnificent labradors.

The question instructors are constantly asked is how are the dogs trained to such perfection? In response we have introduced The Gundog School Training Techniques.

PRICES

Part 1 (45 mins) £115
Part 2 (1hr 15mins) £150
Part 3 (45 mins) £115

Divided into three parts, the Techniques sessions guide you through the methods for achieving success, from heelwork through to specialist retrieving techniques. Many of the techniques can be applied to dogs of any breed, as the instructors teach you how to achieve certain key behaviours. Later sessions deal with techniques which are more specific to gundogs, such as developing drive and directional control at a distance.

 

Trials Session

Enquire Now
A Labrador with a decoy pheasant

DESCRIPTION

Trials Sessions afford guests the opportunity to handle a dog for more demanding retrieves, fired from an automatic launcher over heather moorland.

Details

75 minutes and £150 per person

Gundog Scurry

Enquire Now
A gundog jumping a fence toward the camera

DESCRIPTION

Gundog Scurries are held throughout the summer at country shows and game fairs. They are a test of a gundog’s speed, ability and initiative and also of handling techniques.

We have custom-built a “scurry pen” at the school which incorporates two jumps. Dummies are thrown by the instructor, or from an automatic launcher into a custom-built scurry pen. Guests send the dogs for retrieves, timed with a stopwatch.

There are different events within the scurry, including “Pick and Mix”, “Steeplechase” and “Bulldog”, incorporating different types of retrieve designed to help the dog and the handler to develop skills which are useful in the shooting field.

Details

45 minutes and £115 per person (up to four people)

Guests must have completed an Introductory lesson and a Fieldcraft session at The Gundog School before booking a scurry session.

Training Techniques

Enquire Now
A gundog with a decoy in its mouth swimming in water

DESCRIPTION

Guest who have completed an Introductory Lesson and a Fieldcraft Lesson can now learn the tricks of the trade with labradors from The Gundog School.

Have you ever wondered how top gundogs are actually trained? Since The Gundog School opened at Gleneagles in 2007, thousands of guests have experienced the particular pleasure of handling and working one of the school’s highly trained and magnificent labradors.

The question instructors are constantly asked is how are the dogs trained to such perfection? In response we have introduced The Gundog School Training Techniques.

PRICES

Part 1 (45 mins) £115
Part 2 (1hr 15mins) £150
Part 3 (45 mins) £115

Divided into three parts, the Techniques sessions guide you through the methods for achieving success, from heelwork through to specialist retrieving techniques. Many of the techniques can be applied to dogs of any breed, as the instructors teach you how to achieve certain key behaviours. Later sessions deal with techniques which are more specific to gundogs, such as developing drive and directional control at a distance.

 

Ferret Lessons

Enquire Now
A boy holding a ferret

DESCRIPTION

Hugely enjoyable for all ages, The Ferret School is the first school of its kind at a hotel. In Britain, as far back as the thirteenth century, man has domesticated ferrets to hunt rabbits for the table, but the ferret’s friendly nature has also enabled it to charm itself into peoples’ affections. Highly intelligent creatures, they are capable of forming a strong bond with their owners. Once the basics have been mastered, the ferrets can be put to the test in a race through tubes, which resemble the burrows they hunt naturally.

 

DETAILS

Children aged eight and up can take a 45 minute lesson during which they will learn how to handle and hold a ferret correctly and how to walk it on a harness lead.

 

PRICE

45 minute lesson : £115 per person

Family lesson : £335

Ferret Lessons

Enquire Now
A boy holding a ferret

DESCRIPTION

Hugely enjoyable for all ages, The Ferret School is the first school of its kind at a hotel. In Britain, as far back as the thirteenth century, man has domesticated ferrets to hunt rabbits for the table, but the ferret’s friendly nature has also enabled it to charm itself into peoples’ affections. Highly intelligent creatures, they are capable of forming a strong bond with their owners. Once the basics have been mastered, the ferrets can be put to the test in a race through tubes, which resemble the burrows they hunt naturally.

 

DETAILS

Children aged eight and up can take a 45 minute lesson during which they will learn how to handle and hold a ferret correctly and how to walk it on a harness lead.

 

PRICE

45 minute lesson : £115 per person

Family lesson : £335