Swinton puts a Yorkshire twist on the Macnab

For many country sports enthusiasts, completing a Macnab is the ultimate challenge: taking a red deer, catching salmon on the fly and shooting a brace of grouse in a single day.

This September, Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire will introduce its own version with a Yorkshire twist. Set across its 20,000 acres, the Swinton Macnab brings together roe deer stalking, fly fishing and walked-up grouse shooting.

One estate, three sporting challenges

The experience begins before first light, when guests head into the woodland with one of Swinton’s experienced deer rangers in search of a roe deer. They can also check their rifle zero on the evening they arrive.

Later, participants take to the water for fly fishing. Success depends on reading the river, choosing the right fly and presenting it naturally.

The final part of the challenge takes guests onto the moor for walked-up grouse shooting against the backdrop of Yorkshire’s heather landscape.

Whether all three elements can be completed will depend on the weather and the quarry’s behaviour. That unpredictability is central to the Macnab and means no two attempts will be quite the same.

Jack Depledge, rural estate manager at Swinton Estate, said: “The Swinton Macnab brings together three sporting disciplines in a challenging day across the estate. It celebrates traditional field sports while giving guests the opportunity to experience Swinton’s varied landscape.

“The Macnab reflects the values that shape life on the estate: skilled fieldcraft, respect for the countryside and responsible stewardship and management for future generations. It is a challenge that rewards patience, adaptability and an intimate understanding of the countryside, making it a natural expression of Swinton’s sporting philosophy.”

Working with BASC

Jack’s connection with BASC goes back to when he joined the Young Shots programme at around 12 years old. He later became a Young Shots Ambassador and helped at events across the North.

In 2024, Jack spoke to BASC about his journey from Young Shots to a career in country sports. At the time, he was assistant rural estate manager at Swinton; he is now the estate’s rural estate manager.

Swinton Estate has worked closely with BASC for several years to provide training and encourage people to take part in shooting.

Since 2022, the estate has hosted BASC Young Shots days, allowing newcomers to experience a traditional driven shoot with support from qualified instructors. It has also welcomed hundreds of gamekeepers and industry professionals to BASC’s gamekeepers’ conference.

More recently, BASC and Swinton have worked together to deliver Deer Management Best Practice Days for novice and intermediate stalkers. Using the estate’s game larder and fallow deer, participants develop their knowledge of safe and responsible deer management, from marksmanship to carcass preparation and butchery.

These activities reflect the role that well-managed shooting can play in supporting the countryside. The Swinton Macnab gives guests a closer look at this work while testing their sporting skills in very different settings.

From field to fork

At the end of the sporting day, guests return to Swinton Park Hotel for dinner. Its three restaurants serve seasonal produce sourced locally and from the estate.

Where appropriate, guests may also have the opportunity to enjoy game taken during the Macnab, prepared by the hotel’s chefs.

If you fancy trying your hand at cooking game at home, visit Eat Game, where you will find plenty of delicious meal ideas.

Book the Swinton Macnab

The Swinton Macnab is available on selected Fridays and Saturdays in September as a two-night experience.

As part of the estate’s partnership with BASC, members who book the experience will receive a complimentary upgrade to the next available room category.

Get in touch with the estate at sporting@swintonestate.com for further details.