About
My name is Steven Brazendale. I’m The Scottish Countryman and I am passionate about Scotland’s wildlife and countryside.
What I do
I help people who work hard indoors to relax outdoors by reconnecting them with nature. I do this through one-to-one experiences in archery, birds of prey, and fly-fishing. I also offer driver-guided tours to the West Coast and the East Neuk for those who’d like a different pace of travel - an insider’s view and the ability to tailor the trip to your interests.
Why I do what I d0
I believe everyone should know enough about nature to be able to enjoy it, appreciate it, protect it and benefit from it. Through learning about nature, we learn about ourselves; through protecting our ecosystems, we protect ourselves.
My story
I've been a Countryman for more than 40 years. I grew up in Scotland's north-east, on the edge of a major city, but I was always a country boy at heart. My dad was a farrier and I was lucky enough to learn about the countryside from some exceptional, characterful countrymen, who were steeped in tradition and old ways - a privilege I appreciate more and more as I get older.
I’m a deer man by training and trade; I worked as a deer stalker and manager for more than 30 years. However, my passion, from an early age, was birds. I started to learn about birds of prey when I was about 10 and I learned falconry in my early twenties. Largely self-taught, I was a game hawker for 20 years but I first began offering outdoor experiences to the public when I established my business in 2008.
I now deliver archery, falconry and fly-fishing experiences along with driver-guided tours to help people really enjoy Scotland’s countryside. Don’t just see it, experience it!
Why should you work with me?
My 5-star reviews attest to my passion and excellent customer care and many of my clients have returned several times, keen to share their experience with family and friends. I’m well known for my storytelling and my passion as an entertaining educator!
But don’t just take my word for it - read my reviews online to see what previous guests have had to say about their experience. You’ll find the latest reviews for The Scottish Countryman on Facebook, Tripadvisor and Google.
Contact me
ADDRESS: Hammer Inn, by Crail, Anstruther, Fife, KY10 3XQ
EMAIL: thescottishcountryman@gmail.com
TELEPHONE: +44 (0)7801 544 124
If you’ve got a booking, here’s all the information you need to VISIT The Scottish Countryman
Send me a message
Licensed: Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925
Steve is a countryman with a passion for Scotland's wildlife. He has bred and trained birds of prey and working dogs for more than 30 years. If you have seen him at work you already know he has a very special connection with birds and animals alike, especially with Peter, his Patterdale terrier!
In his role as The Scottish Countryman, Steve uses a team of birds of prey to engage and entertain people as he teaches them about the Scottish countryside. Birds of prey are trained, they are never tamed; Steve merely uses their natural behaviours to demonstrate their skills.
Steve, his premises and his falconry team have all been inspected by the local Council and a local vet, also a falconer, to ensure that work done by The Scottish Countryman | Inspired Falconry meets the UK's strict legislation protecting all animals used in public display.
Website photography credits
Deborah Brazendale
Steven Brazendale
Victoria Warren (Flickr)
Steven Rennie Photography
Simon K Barr of Tweed Media International
Wendy Dury