Jan 30 2009
Posted by Dylan Smith
Undoubtedly this has been one of the most unusual weeks I have spent in my entire life…
Invermark is an incredible place - I have often heard of the Scottish Highlands and yet when one hears such talk, one is never truly able to capture the essence of a place. In order for this to happen, for a place to be indelibly imprinted on ones mind and soul, one needs to be drawn into its very heart and soul.
For many years the Oppenheimer family have spent time each year at Lord Dalhousie’s famous Invermark estate in Scotland. Invermark is acknowledged to be one of the greatest grouse and deer moors - an area of true wilderness. Jamie Dalhousie and Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer have, for some time, been discussing the idea of an exchange between Invermark and Tswalu to broaden the experience of the two management teams.
This year the first such exchange will be taking place - Dylan Smith, Tswalu’s Wildlife Projects Manager , will be going to Invermark for some two and a half months from the middle of January. This will be quite a cultural challenge, not least moving from the middle of summer with temperatures in the mid 30 c to Scotland where the temperature will mostly be below freezing.
Coming in the other direction from Invermark to Tswalu will be Andy Malcolm, one of Invermark’s senior keepers, and his family. Both parties are really looking forward to new experiences and will be writing a weekly blog to be posted on the Tswalu web.
