By Judy Carmack Bross
Pink castle!
When Julie Harron received the invitation to a weekend of stalking red stags at an astonishing salmon pink castle on the shores of Scotland’s Loch Ness, how could she say no?
Loch Ness
Fabulous dinner parties
Beautiful view from estate
Paired with formal dress dinners, evening campfires to tell the day’s stories, and jewelry designed by the castle’s chatelaine Jorie Grassie to delight the eye, the visit to the Culachy Estate, first settled by the Frasers in the 1400s, would prove to be an unforgettable introduction to the Scottish Highlands. Harron and Michelle Kubala, said yes with pleasure, only pausing for a moment as they puzzled over where to purchase full camouflage gear and boots for hiking the moors.
Fire and view of Loch Ness from estate
Jorie Grassie and Julie Harron – showcasing Jorie Jewelry
The connection to Jorie Grassie was “a happy Instagram connection” Harron told us. “Jorie and I had gone to high school together in Lake Forest and caught up recently via social media. Jorie and her Scottish-born husband Colin, formerly CEO of Deutsche Bank UK, an Executive Board Member of the Deutsche Bank Group and latterly Chairman of the Board of the Scottish Rugby Union, had lived all over the world, including Hong Kong, with their four sons but decided to settle in Scotland following 9/11. They bought the castle, with its medieval roots, and painted it salmon pink. Grassie is an incredible jewelry designer who loves the tradition of jewelry made of stag tusks, adding precious stones for a dazzling contemporary look to her handmade designs.”
Thinking that they should use their days in London at the trip’s beginning to search out boots and other equipment, Grassie quickly solved the problem by telling them: “just go to Indiana. Cabela’s has the boots and I will supply the rest.” They were off to join the Grassies, and their friends for days of stalking and exploring and epicurean dinners prepared by their African chefs, Callie-Anne Gavazzi and Charley Friedman.
One of many amazing lunches
Julie Harron, Michelle Kubala with Culachy Estate (Pink Castle!)
Highlander cows
Although Julie had been bird hunting on numerous occasions, deer stalking was something entirely new. “They have to cull the population because the red deer no longer have natural predators there. We had target practice first, and Michelle hit the bull’s eye on the first try and she had never shot before. We had an incredible guide with us.”
Julie gathering her camo gear
Julie practicing with guide, Scott
Michelle practicing with guide, Scott
“Jorie has been hunting since childhood and she and have taken their sons all over Africa on hunting safaris and Argentina,” Harron said. “Although rainy days are actually better stalking weather, and you don’t want wind so that the stag can sense the presence of the scent of humans, we had a beautiful day, and covered over nine miles as we followed the stag.”
Michelle Kubala, Jeremy Welch, Julie Harron
Kubala added: “The air is so pure and the vistas incredible, we were there when all the leaves were changing. It was the first visit to Scotland for both of us.”
Michelle Kubala, Julie Harron
Stalking conditions
Wind farms spotted in Scottish Highlands
Culachy played a significant part in the history of Scottish clans. The Chicagoans learned that the Duke of Cumberland had destroyed the original castle following the battle of Culloden in 1746. He drove the Jacobites from Culachy and neighboring properties during one of the most significant Highland Clearances. The estate then had several owners and leasers including the Governor General of India and a man who bred Irish wolfhounds for hunting. In 1893 an architect created the house as it appears today on the exterior, with Grassie’s talent for design gracing the interior with elegant coziness. A nearby waterfall adds to the landscape’s perfection.
Waterfall on Estate
Fun nights playing pool at the Steadings! (Julie Harron and Kwezi Rann)
“There were so many delightful rituals including playing pool late into the night, elaborate luncheon buffets and of course, tea time,” Julie said.
Michelle Kubala, Julie Harron, Jorie Grassie, Tammy Roberts, Kwezi Rann
Tammy Roberts, Kwezi Rann, Jorie Grassie, Julie Harron, Michelle Kubala
Jorie Grassie’s stalking weekends always end with a Friendsgiving party, the Scottish take on Thanksgiving. “Jorie always has turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes in honor of her Illinois roots. Jorie is just so loving and kind and her four sons reflect their parents’ grace. Their hospitality was incredible.”
Some of Jorie’s stunning jewelry made from Red Stag Tusk
Harron, Grassie and Kubala will be getting together again in January, from the 22-25, when Grassie comes to Nashville where she will show her latest line of fine jewelry done with great respect for Scottish customs. The time-honored tradition of using stag tusks came into fashion when Prince Albert highlighted Queen Victoria’s love for Scotland in his gifts of jewelry. During the Neo-Olympic period, and even earlier in the Paleo-Olympic period around 20,000 to 24,000 years ago, women were the primary hunters in their tribes. They wore deer tusk jewelry as a symbol of their role and to commemorate their status as hunters. Grassie’s line features the Culachy collection in honor of her beloved Highlands home.
Harron added, “Reflecting on our unforgettable trip to the Scottish Highlands, we’re still in awe of the incredible hospitality, the thrill of our first stalking adventure, the beauty of Jorie’s exquisite jewelry designs, and the joy of reconnecting with her as if no time had passed. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, made even more special by how much I deeply treasure my friendship with Jorie.”
