332 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



it in the season. On many estates in the north of Scotland it is the 

 rule to restrict the tenant of a deer-forest to so many head in the season. 

 Thus a tenant, having a large deer-forest, for which he may probably 

 pay 1000 rent, will be restricted to shoot fifty head of deer in the 

 season, the tenant also paying all the keepers and other expenses in 

 connection with the management of the forest. Having fixed the annual 

 rent of a deer-forest, its transferable value may be got by taking it at 

 from twenty to twenty-two years' purchase this is presuming it is a 

 first - class forest. On the other hand, if the forest is not good, it 

 must be taken at so many years' less purchase, according to its quality 

 probably ranging from fifteen to eighteen years' purchase. Some- 

 times higher prices will be got for deer-forests, but these are fanciful 

 prices, and I am only now dealing with their commercial value. 



With regard to grouse or hill shooting, if there has been a fixed 

 rent for a number of years, -that rent may probably be taken as the 

 annual value, and its total value found by taking it at fifteen years' 

 purchase more than this is a fanciful price. Should it be necessary to 

 have the rent readjusted, this may be done by examining the shootings ; 

 and if there be found a good stock of birds on the ground, then this 

 may be taken at from 6d. to 8d. per acre of the ground occupied, 

 according to the nature of the shooting. Any items should be deducted 

 which are necessary to keep up that fixed rental. 



Again, with regard to low-country shootings such as where the stock 

 consists of pheasants and partridges then the stock on the ground must 

 be considered, with facilities for keeping that stock together, such as 

 cover, &c. This kind of shooting varies very much in value according to 

 many local circumstances. The prices usually range from 6d. to Is. 

 per acre of the land embraced. 



The shootings on Scottish Highland estates are at present rising very 

 much in value. There is a growing taste amongst English gentlemen to 

 have Highland shootings, and the competition for them has raised their 

 value considerably. The following cases show the rise in the rate of 

 the shootings that have taken place : Some years ago the Glentanner 

 forest, on the Marquess of Huntly's Aboyne estate, was let for 80 

 per annum ; it is now let at over 1000. The Glenmuick shootings, on 

 the Invercauld estates, were let for 450 ; they are, now rented at 800. 

 The Benabourd shootings and fishings were let at 700 ; they now 

 give a rental of 1300. The Glenurquhart shootings were in 1835 let 

 for 100 ; they now rent for 2000. 



In the valuation of fishings on an estate, this of course must be guided 

 by the extent of water on the property. To get at the real value of fish- 

 ings, it is almost necessary to find out the total weight of fish caught for 



