Outing – Return to Crieff Hills Retreat Centre for Hawk Therapy

Return To Crieff Hills Retreat

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, 13 MCC members braved the rain and damp and cold to be rewarded with an amazing experience at Crieff. We began the day at the picnic shelter and met Heather Antoni, falconer and owner of New Feather Therapy. Accompanying her were Astrid the Peregrine Falcon and Marshall the Harris Hawk. Heather spent some time teaching us about her raptors. We moved on to the trails with Marshall flying from tree to Heather and on to more trees.

The day was very windy, and Marshall was struggling against it, so we moved to a more sheltered area where he posed for us on a fence. Then the excitement began: participants could don the glove and have Marshall land on their arm! The click click click of the shutters resounded.

We had to tear ourselves away to head to Maclean Hall schoolhouse for our farm-to-table lunch, prepared by Chef! A full course delicious meal of roast pork, garden salad, potato salad, bread and dessert were enjoyed.

Following lunch, Emily the Crieff farmer surprised us by bringing out Leek the lamb and another lamb. What a treat! Thanks once again to Michael Leminski for introducing us to this perfect location and for bringing us back again and again.

From Arlene and Mark: “The weather did cooperate eventually, the rain stopping just before we arrived and waiting till we were heading out to resume. It was an amazing experience to interact with the hawk and have it sitting so peacefully on our arms. It is easy to see the passion Heather has for these beautiful creatures.”

Liz McNally – Outings Co-ordinator