In this episode of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust Podcast, host Linda Mellor speaks with Ian Gordon, a renowned Speycasting expert and fly-fishing guide, who joined the conversation from Iceland. With over 40 years in the fishing world, Ian shares how a boyhood fascination with rivers and salmon shaped a lifelong journey steeped in skill, connection, and deep respect for the water and the fish.

Ian reflects on the simplicity of his early days on the river, and how that quiet freedom carved out something lasting and meaningful. He speaks with honesty about the powerful sensory and emotional experience of salmon fishing: the feel of the water, the soundscape, the rhythm, and the unspoken connection to place.

Beyond the technicalities of casting, Ian discusses what makes a great mentor on the river: patience, humility, and a love for passing on knowledge. He’s passionate about shifting the culture away from catch numbers and ego, and toward a more thoughtful, soulful relationship with rivers and fish.

Earlier this year, Ian’s recent social media video about his skin pre-cancer diagnosis struck a chord about the importance of protecting your skin and how it’s never too early to start.

From hosting guests in stunning Scottish lodges to running international casting courses, Ian remains a teacher at heart, grounded in nature, generous with his knowledge, and forever moved by the wildness of the river.

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In this episode of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust Podcast, host Linda Mellor speaks with Bill Cowie, a seasoned deer stalker based on the remote Isle of Rona. Bill offers a vivid and heartfelt insight into his life on the island, sharing how his journey into stalking began not through family tradition, but through sheer curiosity, encounters with wildlife, and an enduring love of the land.

Bill discusses the practicalities of remote island living, from unusual transport challenges and deer retrieval by boat, to the practical limits of machinery in wild terrain. He shares how he built a deer population from scratch on Rona after initially arriving to put up a fence, eventually developing a sustainable venison operation.

Their conversation explores deep themes: the changing nature of gamekeeping, the importance of craft over modern convenience, and the need for more respectful deer management in commercial forestry. Bill’s reflections are rich with personal stories, humour, and no-nonsense wisdom, including his views on venison markets, guest stalkers, and the challenges of balancing conservation with commercial pressure.

From wild beginnings to heartfelt memories and practical advice, this is a captivating portrait of a life devoted to the land, and its animals.

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In this episode of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust Podcast, Linda Mellor speaks with Sanjay Bhattacharya, a passionate game chef whose love for cooking and shooting grew side by side. Sanjay reflects on his first kitchen experiences in Oxford, plucking game birds and preparing hearty meals, and how his first unaccompanied shoot in Cumbria introduced him to a warm, welcoming shooting community.

Now based in Scotland, Sanjay focuses on game butchery and making full use of every animal. He dispels myths around game meat, particularly venison, and offers practical advice on sourcing and cooking game affordably. From kebabs to curries, he champions creative ways to make game more accessible.

Sanjay also speaks about community cookery classes, setting up a larder, and involving his family in his outdoor passions. With future plans of possibly creating a cookbook and appearances at key countryside events, this is an uplifting and informative conversation about food, community, and sharing knowledge.

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