Ptarmigan Whisky
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Keen sportsmen will be taking to Scotland’s hills and moors this Friday (12th August) to celebrate the traditional start of the grouse shooting but at CairnGorm Mountain, a different type of shooting is being promoted involving an equally famous native bird.
For, in a neat tongue-in-cheek exercise to draw attention to its continuing commitment to wildlife conservation, CairnGorm Mountain Ltd. not only will launch its 15 years old Blended Malt Whisky - The Ptarmigan - on ”The Glorious Twelfth” but also has invited Peter Cairns and Mark Hamblin, two of Scotland’s top names in wildlife photography, to be involved.
The Ptarmigan (lagopus mutus) is a Scottish native game bird whose natural habitat is the mountains. Its dark summer plumage turns almost entirely white in winter and is clearly distinguished by its feathered legs. The bird is abundant in the Cairngorms National Park. The Ptarmigan Whisky is a blended malt, carefully matured and bottled for CairnGorm Mountain under license from the Edrington Group to celebrate the Ptarmigan bird, the establishment of the visitor attraction and the restaurant at the top of the mountain which shares its name.
Said Bob Kinnaird, CML’s Chief Executive:
“Earlier this year, Peter Cairns and Mark Hamblin launched their own highly acclaimed publication of local wildlife photography entitled Wild Land - Images of Nature from The Cairngorms, and on a day when sportsmen are out in the hills enjoying shooting grouse, we thought that it appropriate to draw attention to another famous game bird, the Ptarmigan and the pleasure that can also be had from a different kind of shooting. Some of the shots of local wildlife in their book are remarkable and getting as close as they do to the birds and animals that they “shoot” photographically clearly represents wonderful patience and great dedication.”
“We are not being critical of grouse shooters, many of whom bring considerable, and much-needed, revenue to neighbouring estates, but are simply using the traditional start of the grouse season to suggest that other activities involving our native wildlife are also worth celebrating. Getting successful photographic shots of Scotland’s wildlife is as good a reason for celebration as bagging a few grouse and that is why we invited Mark and Peter to launch our Ptarmigan Whisky today at CairnGorm.”
Originally from the Midlands, both Peter Cairns and Mark Hamblin now live in the Scottish Highlands and in the Foreword to their Wild Land book comment: “As working nature photographers, we have a passion and an empathy for our subjects. The book features many of our favourite images - some hard-won, others more opportunistic, but all of them fleeting moments, special moments.”
Said Bob Kinnaird: “The book, and what it represents, is a visual celebration of the wildlife of The Cairngorms, including spectacular shots of the ptarmigan whose influence is very much part of what we are trying to achieve in harmonising man and nature. All of this is worth celebrating and what better way than in our own specially blended and appropriately named Ptarmigan Whisky.”
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
Biographical notes on Peter Cairns and Mark Hamblin follow:
Peter Cairns:
Peter Cairns grew up in the Midlands and developed a childhood passion for the natural world from his grandfather. Following a fifteen-year spell running a road transport company, Peter turned his back on business in 1994 and moved to the Scottish Highlands. Originally working as a wildlife guide, he now runs his own photographic library, northshots, focussing on Scottish wildlife and accompanying political issues. Peter is also involved in developing wildlife tourism initiatives both in Scotland and in Scandinavia. He lives in Kincraig in the Cairngorms National Park with his wife, Amanda and son , Sam. Website: www.northshots.com
Mark Hamblin
Born in Warwickshire in 1966, Mark Hamblin first became interested in wildlife following a gift membership of the Young Ornithologists’ Club. After studying microbiology at Sheffield University,, Mark decided to pursue his love of wildlife photography, turning professional in 1995. His photographs are regularly featured in national publications, books, calendars and other media. Mark is also a partner in wildshote (ww.wildshots.co.uk), leading holidays in the Highlands and overseas. Although widely travelled, he now works principally in Scotland following his move to the Highlands with his partner, Gale, in 2002. Website: www.markhamblin.com
Further information from:
BILL NOLAN
Tel: 07885 071804
Tania Alliod
TEL: 01479 861304
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