Life on the Land: In Conversation with Fergus MacLeod of the Fife Arms Ghillie Team

17 December 2025

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As part of the Ghillie team at The Fife Arms, Fergus MacLeod helps guests discover the wild beauty and stories of Royal Deeside.

Through guided walks, off-road journeys and time spent immersed in the landscape, he creates experiences shaped by weather, place and season. Having joined during the final stages of the hotel’s transformation, Fergus works closely with local guides and businesses to bring the land to life, offering guests a deeper connection to one of Scotland’s most remarkable regions.

Can you tell us what being part of the Ghillie team at The Fife Arms means to you and what a typical day looks like out on the land?

Although I had not worked in hospitality before, I had the chance to work across different departments during my first 18 months here, including the Ghillie team. It was an instant favourite, offering the opportunity to introduce guests from all over the world to this remarkable country, while working alongside passionate people in the community, including fellow guides and independent local businesses, without whom we couldn’t offer what we do.
We are not always out and about, but those are certainly the moments we cherish most. Experiencing the landscape is central to everything we do, and our core activities include guided walks and off-road tours, which are the simplest way to make that initial connection. If guests have a little more time, these can be combined with other activities or dining experiences outdoors to deepen their sense of place and truly absorb their surroundings. A journey through the pine forest, along the river’s edge, or up a bumpy hill track to reveal a breathtaking panorama is enough to captivate any traveller. Weather permitting is a key phrase, but even the mist brings its own mystical quality, often paired with rain that gives the landscape a richness of colour you do not see on a dry day.

How do the surrounding landscapes of Braemar and the Cairngorms influence the way you work and guide guests outdoors?

It is less the landscape directly and more the weather and season that shape our plans. We always remain flexible, as different areas shine depending on the conditions. Guests also have varied expectations, so you might take one group for a gentle forest walk or guide another to an isolated hilltop to feel the bite of the arctic wind.
Each season brings its own intrigue. With any luck, Winter provides a snowy backdrop and bone-chilling temperatures, often paired with crisp, sunny days and unparalleled clarity of light. Outings are shorter, and a dram is most welcome before returning to a roaring fire. Spring arrives late but brings renewed energy as flora and fauna reappear, Salmon run upriver, and the call of the Curlew rings out as coastal birds come inland to nest. Summer offers long daylight hours, ideal for action-packed itineraries or slow exploration, and at its peak the heather turns dazzling shades of pink and purple. Finally comes Autumn, when rich evergreens meet golden yellows, rusty reds, and oranges, and the bellowing of Stags echoes through the village. There really is no favourite. It is the connection with this natural cycle that shapes our guiding.

What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve seen from a guest experiencing the land for the first time?

I have not brought anyone to tears myself, although it has been known to happen. It is hard to choose a single moment, as we often see a look of awe in the faces beside us. Close encounters with wildlife are always a treat, especially for younger guests, although it can be difficult to convey how rare they are. Some of my best days on the hill have been spent in companionable silence, letting the other senses take over. And bringing someone to a remote proposal location is not too bad either.

The Fife Arms puts real emphasis on local stories and community heritage. What local traditions or tales do you find yourself sharing most often with guests?

There are many, but a favourite of the team is the Headless Man of Ben Avon, a true unsolved mystery that has endured for decades. I will leave readers to explore the theories themselves. More broadly, Jacobite stories are plentiful, as are tales relating to the Royal connection. This area was once far more widely populated, and it is important to highlight the resilience and ingenuity of those isolated communities who navigated hardship and a mercurial climate.

What do you think makes this part of Scotland so unique for those experiencing it for the first time? What are the top 3 things you think are a must-do when visiting you for the first time?

I have travelled through most areas of Scotland, each unique in its own way. While my spiritual home remains in the West, Royal Deeside must be one of the most pristinely beautiful areas I have visited. The hills, the heather, the pine, everything is in a constant state of change. Running through its heart is the River Dee, translating roughly to River of the Goddess, and perhaps the most picturesque river in Scotland. As it winds through the glen, it nurtures a variety of habitats that preserve many of Britain’s endangered species, something that must be protected.
Everyone has different tastes, so it is difficult to pinpoint universal must-dos. My first piece of advice is to come more than once and at different times of year. I would also encourage guests to contact our team ahead of time so we can personalise their visit.
The only universal guidance I can offer is to be prepared for all weather and get outside regardless, as perseverance is often rewarded. If I were to choose my own three must-dos, they would be:
  • A swim in the river, whether a brisk, revitalising dip in the cold or something more refreshing in the summer.
  • An elevated walk or drive to take in the surrounding ancient hills.
  • An activity that brings local stories to life, whether historical or contemporary. So few truly wild places remain, and only through understanding them can they endure.

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