With Linda Mellor

from Farming Scotland Magazine (January - February 2022 Edition)

Part 1 of Native: Life in a vanishing landscape

by Linda Mellor

SCOTTISH COUNTRY LIFE

During the winter months, most country living Scots just get on with it. Rural life rarely grinds to a halt when the weather closes in or there’s a big dump of snow. Life just simply slows down, and we add more layers of clothing. However, if it does grind to halt, then we help each other out in whatever we can. Rural or remote, highlands or islands, if there’s a call for help, it’ll be on its way.

Most countryside dwellers have animals, from the smaller ones like dogs, and hens, to the larger hooved variety like horses and ponies, and not forgetting the garden birds and visitors. No matter what their size, animals and birds all need to be fed and watered each day especially in the winter months. On traditional stalking estates, the wild deer population is supported through the winter months too, with daily feeds of deer rolls (similar to pony nuts), haylage, and some estates also feed silage and vegetables.

As winter approaches we prepare. Log sheds are filled up, tools and machinery are tucked away, out buildings are checked, secured and water tight, and any necessary repairs are done before the weather gets in and causes more damage. Freezers are filled, and cupboards are stocked. A huge positive during the winter months is the shooting season. With life almost back in full swing post-pandemic, there’s a chance to stock the freezer with game, and maybe a hind (the red deer hind season dates are October 21st – 15th February). We all have our favourite type of wild meat, and with such a variety available I’ll never understand why anyone would want to eat stag meat shot during or shortly after the rut. All that testosterone running rampant, and during the rut stags rarely eat because they’re focussed on one thing, and it isn’t eating. Rutting old stag meat, doesn’t really appeal! You’d be much better going for a hind, as the meat is more tender and tastier.

Venison is my favourite. I find it a delicious, tender meat, and one that’s so versatile and can be used at any time of year, not just winter: casseroles, burgers, sausages, pies, BBQs, pate, and charcuterie (for the best charcuterie try Great Glen Charcuterie). You can use venison in most dishes. A favourite of mine is my version of a cottage pie – swapping the beef or lamb mince for venison mince and giving it a kick with some fresh chillies, finely chopped. Finish it off by topping with a creamy mash, sprinkled with grated strong Scottish cheddar, and whack it in the oven. It’s great served with carrots, and some sprouts (who doesn’t love sprouts? more Scottish seasonal food that’s good for you), and washed down with a rich, red wine of choice. I usually make two, and pop one in the freezer.

When I was growing up, after a shoot day or out wildfowling with my dad, we would always drop off game to relatives or elderly neighbours. We had more than enough for our family so why not share it around? Everyone was grateful for some wild meat, and appreciated a knock on the door and a chance for a catch-up chat. Many elderly people in our network had been involved with shoots, or had lived on farms, and missed that way of life after they retired. Fresh game is a country happy meal, a rural version of that unmentionable American fast food outlet.

Game isn’t alien to our diet, it’s long been a staple of the Scottish diet for centuries, and much better for you than the fast-food, and convenience ‘ding’ meals. There’s plenty game for sale in supermarkets and local butchers, and there are lots of game recipe books to choose from and endless recipes available online. There are social media groups set up dedicated to eating and cooking game, so there’s no lack of inspiration. Using game also makes you cook and get creative in the kitchen at meals time, yet more positives.

The fire is on, the logs are burning well, scented candles are lit, and it’s a great feeling to coorie in for the night. Winter is a time to be good to ourselves, and why shouldn’t we? It’s been an interesting year and we go into the next year more hopeful than we did a year ago.

Winter is also a time for reflection, to gather our thoughts, make some wishes and look forward to the year ahead. Happy January 2022!

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