The Taxidermist
Alba Highland Taxidermy is run from the Dochnaclear taxidermy studio in Strathpeffer, in the Scottish Highlands. The studio is led by Robert Bartlett — a naturalist, deer stalker, sportsman, artist and joiner by trade, who has built a reputation as one of Scotland's leading game head taxidermists in a short space of time.
Robert works with the most modern techniques available and sought out some of the best anatomically correct forms and mannequins in the world to give every mount the right starting point — because a lifelike result starts long before the finishing touches.
His mission is simple: to further the appreciation of taxidermy as an art form, both for the clients who commission a piece and for anyone who sees the finished work.
How It's Made
Every animal that comes through the studio goes through the same careful, unhurried process.
Once an animal is secured, the skin, scales or fur go through a careful process of embalming and preservation — the foundation that everything else depends on.
The studio maintains purpose-built conditions for each type of specimen, so nothing is rushed and nothing is lost to poor storage or handling.
Set onto anatomically correct forms and finished by hand, so the bearing, the posture and the character of the animal come through in the final piece.
What We Work With
While Alba Highland Taxidermy is best known for native deer, the studio covers a wide range of species.
Red, roe, fallow and sika — the studio's core specialism, with a reputation as one of the best in the Highlands.
Raptors and other birds of prey, mounted with close attention to feather detail and natural posture.
Grouse and other game birds from Scottish estates, a regular part of the studio's work.
Trophies from further afield, mounted to the same standard as native species.
Full-body work across a range of mammals, beyond the head-mount form.
Fish taxidermy for anglers wanting to keep a catch worth remembering.
The studio serves UK sporting clients as well as visiting sportsmen from overseas, with work now extending into Aberdeenshire as well as the Highlands.
