Cover by Sarah Farnsworth

The sporting world is full of places where history, adventure, and tradition seem to overlap in impossible concentration. The deeper you look, the more there is to see. A story about dogs becomes a story about land stewardship. A story about a shotgun leads to generations of artisans. A story about birds opens the door to heritage that endures for centuries.

In this issue of Covey Rise, the farther we traveled into the subject matter, the more stories emerged. Some were expected. Many were not. Together, they form a reminder that the richest sporting traditions are never really about one thing. They are collections of people, places, and ideas connected across time. Ultimately, the challenge wasn’t finding enough stories to tell. It was deciding which ones would have to wait for another issue.

First of all, it goes without saying that this issue celebrates the fantastic photography of Sarah Farnsworth. Her iconic imagery takes us across the Highlands, invites us into homes, and features craftsmanship, all to celebrate everything that Scotland has to offer. Coupled with this is the writing of Simon Reinhold. He authored many of these features and tells stories meant to be told. The combination of the two is something to behold.

For starters, few places better embody the enduring traditions of the Scottish sporting life than the Tulchan Estate, and our full feature tells it well. The story highlighting Mordor Gundogs introduces the people, dogs, and philosophy behind a celebrated Highland kennel. Inside Malcolm Appleby’s studio, we discovered a craftsman whose work blurs the line between firearm and fine art. At Campbell’s of Beauly, tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless Scottish style remain very much alive through tweed and wool and hats and more. The feature on John Dickson & Son offers a closer look at the meticulous work and rich history behind one of Scotland’s most iconic gunmaking houses. Last but not least, and perhaps most interesting, is our time with Hamish Martin, whose unique perspective on the Highland landscape reveals that the story of Scotland is as much about the land itself as the people who call it home.

As you can plainly see, we explored this great country and came away with an embarrassment of riches. You can’t even imagine the stories we saved for future issues, but before we get too far down that road, we hope you enjoy this one!

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Magic on the Moors: Tulchan Estate represents Scotland at its most timeless

Etched in Time: Malcolm Appleby and the Dragonfly Gun

Flights of Fancy: The brilliant art of Clare Brownlow

Mordor Gundogs: Honest dogs bred in the Scottish hills

An Enduring Craft: The generational legacy of John Dickson & Son

Campbell’s of Beauly: Preserving the heritage of wool to tweed

Hamish Martin: Wild places, whisky, and tartan