The British School of Falconry at Gleneagles
The British School of Falconry at Gleneagles offers birdies and eagles of a different kind to guests at the luxury golfing resort. Emma and Steve Ford, the school's founders, have a world class reputation and their lessons and courses are internationally acclaimed as the finest introduction to the sport.
Emma and Steve Ford opened The British School of Falconry, the world's first full-time falconry school, in 1982. The school became established at Gleneagles in 1992; in 1994 the school was extended to accommodate 22 birds.
Gleneagles has recently invested a quarter of a million pounds in a new falconry school building, located in the hotel’s gardens, just four minutes walk from the lobby. The new building opened in August 2001.
24 birds are housed at the school, including eagles, falcons and 19 Harris hawks for guests to handle and fly.
Lessons meet every level of experience and involvement. Basic techniques are taught during 45 minute introductory lessons; guests who are seriously keen can take a certification course or can develop their skills further by taking part in a half or full day's hawking, when hawks are flown at quarry on neighbouring estates.
Emma Ford, author of standard works on birds of prey and falconry, is an elected member of the Scottish Hawk Board, the Scottish Government advisory panel on legislation concerned with falconry and birds of prey in captivity.
Emma Ford was the subject of a BBC2 television documentary, "Countrywoman - a year in the life of ..." broadcast in January 1995. The Fords have another branch of the British School of Falconry at the Equinox Hotel in Manchester, Vermont, U.S.A.
