Ian Tennant was born in Fochabers and is 66 years of age. He recently retired from the post of Head Ghillie at Gordon Castle Estate where he managed nine ghillies and eight miles of prime salmon fishing on the River Spey. On leaving school at 16 he completed an apprenticeship as a ships joiner but soon realised that he would rather pursue more of an outdoor type of career. He was initially taken on as a gardener at Gordon Castle and soon after was offered a ghillie’s job on the estate.
He quickly made a name for himself as a very professional, likeable and friendly ghillie who was passionate about the Atlantic Salmon, wildlife, fishing and making sure that his guests had the best opportunity to enjoy their time on the river with him. During his long career, he has ghillied for literally thousands of people including members of the Royal Family and other well known sporting and television/film personalities.
As a measure of his contribution to fishing, in 2013 Ian was featured in the Field Magazine as one of HRH Prince Charles’s Countryside Heroes. In fact, his last guest after 41 years on the river was Prince Charles himself.
His interests include, the welfare of the Atlantic Salmon, Fishing, Wildlife and he has been married to Jackie for 48 years. Prior to his retirement, Ian wondered how he could best use his considerable fishing knowledge to help others and came up with the idea of sponsored “River Bagging” in aid of two most worthy charities which are Prostate Cancer UK and the Atlantic Salmon Trust.
He chose Prostate Cancer UK as the first of the charities he is supporting because his father, cousin and members of the estate staff had Prostate Cancer. His personal experience of the disease has convinced him that research work must be done to help the one in eight men in the United Kingdom who will get Prostate Cancer. Your donation can certainly save lives. The other charity he chose to support is the Atlantic Salmon Trust. During his long career on the river, he has seen at first hand and is deeply concerned about the dramatic decline of Atlantic Salmon numbers. He recognises that research must be conducted into why this is happening with a view to reversing the trend and protecting this iconic species.