I am sure we all know of ‘keepers and ghillies who have dedicated their lives to passing on their knowledge of the British countryside, not only to ensure you witness a superb pheasant or grouse day, or hook that elusive salmon, but who take extra time to ensure that future generations continue to understand and respect the countryside and all the customs that are part of it. Some keepers and ghillies certainly go that extra mile, and here is a story to show how you can celebrate them and ensure their messages live on.

In August 2008, a good man died sadly only months after his retirement from a lifetime of gamekeeping in Scotland. All of those who knew him wanted to celebrate his life and ensure his name lived on, and thanks to a few key individuals, the Tam Tod Fund was born.

In the year following Tam’s death, the group raised almost £10,000 in his name. Since then, the Tam Tod Trophy for a young person who has excelled in country sports has been  presented  twice, and money from the fund has allowed hundreds of school children to take part in educational activities in the countryside.

Tam Tod was a ‘keeper, a ghillie and true all round countryman. He believed in family, in etiquette and above all in respecting the countryside. In keeping his name alive, his friends and family have ensured that his contribution lives on into the next generation of country men and women.

 The Tam Tod fund has been managed and promoted by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Educational Trust (SCAET), a registered Scottish charity which exists to reconnect young people with their countryside through introducing them to country sports in a safe and responsible way, encouraging them to take up rural employment and set up new businesses in the countryside, ensuring that they are aware of all that the countryside has to offer for work, leisure and quality of life, and most importantly, inspiring a respect for the countryside. The objectives of SCAET fit with Tam’s belief of the countryside, and through this partnership, hundreds of young people have benefitted from estate visits, schools talks and increased opportunities to learn about the countryside around them.

The third objective of the fund was to encourage others to recognise the life or the retirement of their ‘keeper or ghillie and to consider establishing a fund in their name. As well as giving recognition to young people in the countryside, this fund has also generated a strong bond amongst Tam’s family and friends, and ensured that his name will live on.

When the time comes that you wish to recognise the retirement or honour the life of a keeper or ghillie, perhaps take a moment to consider whether you could instigate the establishment of a fund or award to celebrate their life, to allow their name to live on proudly.

For more information, contact Nicola Chalmers-Watson on info@scaet.org.uk