Sporting Days

by John Colquhoun

Sporting Days by John Colquhoun is a mid?19th century collection of sporting essays and field reports drawn from the author’s private journal. Published in 1866, the volume presents a sequence of articles initially contributed to an Edinburgh weekly journal, blending practical instruction with vivid narratives of hunting, shooting, and fishing across Scotland. It spans sea?fowl shooting in the Firth of Forth, deer driving in Mull, loch and river fishing, seal shooting, and extensive natural history observations of the Western Isles and Highlands, including Bute and Glenfalloch. The book interleaves exacting chronicling of hunts and shoots with reflections on landscapes, seasons, and wildlife behavior, emphasizing patience, skill, and endurance as essential to the craft. It also chronicles the author’s family life, noting two elder sons serving with regiments and accompanying him on sporting expeditions. Prefatory remarks explain that the feats are transcribed from nocturnal entries, underscoring the immediacy and authenticity of the experiences. Overall, Sporting Days stands as a panoramic portrait of a storied Scottish outdoor life, combining rigor, curiosity, and a deep reverence for the countryside and its wildlife.

299 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2009