Antique Historical Scottish Taxidermy

We get asked to recommend Bird Taxidermists in both the UK and America, by our friends, we now include below a list of those we have had favourable feedback on this is not a complete list, if you don't find what your looking for then please feel free to contact us. If you also wish to link to us then your taxidermy information shall only be placed in the appropriate class.


The "gallery" sections on this website feature Victorian and Antique Taxidermy by famous Scottish Taxidermists that was produced before 1947. These taxidermist by example are perhaps what could be regarded as being top of their respective trades. These cases are also a good indication of the cases we are seeking to purchase.
For a more detailed discussion into this period in history, please refer to the section dedicated to Victorian Taxidermy.
It can be found here [Victorian Taxidermy]

We are interested in Purchasing Victorian Taxidermy, please respond via this on-line form of what you have for sale. HERE

Very pretty Brown Trout in pictureframe case by McCleay of Inverness.
Kiwi in a New Zealand case by McCleay of Inverness.
Scottish Mountain Hare by MacCleay of Inverness, Scotland.

Interesting receipt document from MacCleay of Inverness, Scotland.

European Ptarmigan by MaCleay of Inverness. Well thats what we thought when this image was taken in 2006. However the image below states that the case is by Malloch of Perth. Well the lable newly attached states that anyway. This case (the same case) sold in 2009. Perhaps the label "fell" into the groundwork
Crowned Crane by William McCleay of Inverness.
Sparrowhawks by William McCleay of Inverness.
Peregrine with Grouse prey by William McCleay of Inverness.
Peregrine with Grouse prey by William McCleay of Inverness.
Hornbills by William McCleay of Inverness.
Hornbills by William McCleay of Inverness.

Close up of Fox and Mallard Hen with chicks. This case looks like the work of McCleay of Inverness.

Snowy Owls by McCleay of Inverness. These birds were obtained historically in Stornaway, Scotland.

Victorian Gannet and Great Northern Diver by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Merlin and Kestrel by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Gyr Falcons by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Wildcats by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Wildcats by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Wildcats by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Peregine Falcon by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian Buzzard by McCleay of Inverness. This birds was taken from a much larger case and re-cased.
European Gamebirds by MaCleay of Inverness.
Peregrine Falcon by McCleay of Inverness.
Badly faded yet nicely modelled Otter with Trout by McCleay of Inverness.
Victorian case of European Birds of Prey by W.A. MaCleay, Bird Stuffer, Inverness, dated 1888. This case includes Buzzards, Hen Harrier, Merlins, Sparrowhawks, Peregrine Falcons and a pair of Kestrels. A bit faded but a super case never the less.

Stunning Peregrines by McCleay, from the BCB collection.
European Victorian Golden Eagle by MaCleay of Inverness. Lable in blue to the bottom right of the case.
Victorian label by Macleay of Inverness. You will notice that over the years the label spelling changes and he is happy to be refered to as a "Bird Stuffer".

Hope of Edinburgh

Fantastic Green Sandpipers unfaded, and in Summer plumage. These birds were acquired in May and June 1909 respectively, the location being Kajaani, Finland. Please refer to data at the back of the case These birds are extreamly rare to find in summer attire, partly the reason to have to travel north to acquire them. Bargain price and not for sale. The case was retrived from a loft where is spent many years, perhaps hence why the limited fading.

Data record on the back of the case.

Scottish Dotterels by Hope of Edingburgh
Victorian Red Squirrels by W Hope of Edinburgh.
Trade label by William Hope of Edinburgh.
North Atlantic Eiders by William Hope of Edinburgh, this is a Victorian case.
Pied Blackbird by Hope of Edinburgh. Victorian case
Pied Blackbird by Hope of Edinburgh. Victorian case
Bramble Finches William Hope of Edinburgh.
Hawfinches by William Hope of Edinburgh.
Kestrels with chicks William Hope of Edinburgh.
Kestrels with chicks by William Hope of Edinburgh.
Male Merlin William Hope of Edinburgh.
Common Sandpipers by William Hope of Edinburgh.
Smew by William Hope of Edinburgh.
Snow Buntings by William Hope of Edinburgh.
European Teal by William Hope of Edinburgh.
European Teal by William Hope of Edinburgh. Let's see where these turn up for sale???. Oh the valuation we gave them are located on the for sale page. See you at the auctions

What happens to cases left in cellars

European Plovers by William Hope of Edinburgh. The bird is mouldy and the legs have exploded, due to the internal wires rusting. Very difficult to restore if not impossible
Female Sparrowhawk William Hope of Edinburgh, badly water stained.
Mergnansers by William Hope of Edinburgh. No thats not a snow effect on the females bill
Corncrakes by William Hope of Edinburgh.
Pheasant by William Hope of Edinburgh.
Pheasants by William Hope of Edinburgh.

PD Malloch of Perth

Peter Duncan Malloch

Born in 1853 of humble parentage in the little village of Almondbank near Perth, he did not have the advantages of higher education and spent his youthful days in the woods and fishing in the river Almond. By the age of 12 he had a sound knowledge of all the birds and animals in the district. At the age of 14 he was able to mount birds well, make a rod and tie flies. With his brother James as his assistant, he started, at the age of 18, a small taxidermy and fishing tackle business in one room off the High Street in Perth. Business progressed and a shop was opened in the High Street and from there moved in 1903 to Scott Street, where it remained until 1981.
Malloch may be said to have gone further than any other man in explaining the life history of salmon and trout. His knowledge of the movement of these fish and of the flies and insects consumed by the latter, was vast. In his later years he became a great authority on all matters relating to salmon and trout. He was the first to study the importance of scale markings on salmon, and proved that every period passed in river or sea could be explained by markings on the scale themselves. With his encyclopedic knowledge of insect life, it is not surprising that he achieved much renown as a fisherman. His book, first published in 1910 was such a success that it was reprinted in 1912. It has become regarded as a standard work on the subject and an intrinsic part of any serious fishing library. Peter Malloch died in 1921 at the age of 68

Victorian case by Malloch of Perth, containing a male Capercaille
Ptarmigan by Malloch of Perth.
Victorian Salmon by Malloch of Perth. Malloch was famous for the very distinctive barrel shaped cases.
Victorian Trout by Malloch of Perth. Malloch was famous for the very distinctive barrel shaped cases.
Victorian Trout by Malloch of Perth. Malloch was famous for the very distinctive barrel shaped cases.
Victorian carved Salmon by Malloch of Perth.
Victorian trade label from PD Malloch of Perth.
Victorian Peregrine Falcon by Malloch of Perth.
Victorian Scottish gamebirds, Red grouse and Ptarmigan by Malloch of Perth.
Victorian Great Spotted Woodpecker by Malloch of Perth.
Victorian Salmon by Malloch of Perth.

C.Bissopp of Oban

Common Tern with chicks by Bisshopp of Oban.

Scottish Wildcat by Small or Bissopp
Barnacle Goose by Bissopp of Oban. Barnacle Geese have an interesting reference to the name "Belief was /maybe related to the fact that these geese were never seen in summer, when they were supposedly developing underwater (they were actually breeding in remote Arctic regions) in the form of barnacles—which came to have the name "barnacle" because of this legend".
European Heron. The quality of the bird and groundwork suggests Bissopp of Oban.
Victorian Peregrine Falcons with Grouse prey by Bisshopp of Oban.
Victorian Little Tern by Bissopp of Oban.
Victorian letterhead by Bissopp of Oban.
Victorian Terns and chicks by Bisshopp of Oban.
Victorian Ospreys by Bisshopp of Oban.
Victorian Golden Eagle by Bisshopp of Oban.
Victorian Great Northern Diver by Bishopp of Oban.
Great Northern Diver by Cecil.H.Bisshopp of Oban. Cases like this feature in the "Echalaz Collection". We liked the recent publication so much we have offered to buy the collection. It serves as a good inventory and condition report.
Common Tern by Bisshopp of Oban.
Common Tern by Bisshopp of Oban.
Common Tern by Bisshopp of Oban.
Peregrine Falcon by Bisshopp of Oban.
Label for the above case by Bisshopp of Oban.
Red Throated Diver by Bisshopp of Oban.
Red Throated Diver in close up by Bisshopp of Oban.
Red Throated Diver in close up by Bisshopp of Oban.
Red Throated Diver in close up by Bisshopp of Oban.
Victorian case of a Peregrine Falcon with Grouse prey by Bisshopp of Oban .
Simply stunning Peregrines with Red Grouse prey by Bisshopp of Oban. Recently purchased from a Scottish Estate.We would have said fresh to the market had they been for sale but they are not.


Victorian Great Black Backed Gull and female Eider by Bisshopp of Oban.

Small of Edinburgh

Black Guillimots by Small & Sons of Edinburgh. Two adults and a chick, which is busy preening. The front of the case has been removed to clean the glass. The simulated water is in fact painted glass. The painting that resembles a sea-scape is a mixture of watercolour and oils, both to wonderous effect. Ex Nisbet Collection Originally from The Royal Museum, Edinburgh
Victorian Malacite Kingfishers by Small of Edinburgh.

Andean Condors by Small of Edinburgh
Victorian Capercailles, perhaps the finest case we have encountered of this subject matter. This case appears to be the work of Small of Edinburgh.
Victorian Peregrines by Small of Edinburgh.
Victorian Peregrines by Small of Edinburgh.

Gannet with chick by Small of Edinburgh. Large case but lovely example that has been re-taped

Victorian Wildcat by Small of Edinburgh.
Victorian artile pasted onto the back of the case above from the Shooting Times dated 1908 describing Small of Edinburgh. There is mention of the cat as shown within the same text, when they exhibited some case.
Victorian Red Legged Partridges by Small of Edinburgh Common Tern with chick and eggs by Small of Edinburgh. Victorian case
Common Tern with chick and eggs by Small of Edinburgh. Victorian case
Common Tern with chick and eggs by Small of Edinburgh. Victorian case
European Red Fox by Small of Edinburgh. Victorian case
European Red Fox by Small of Edinburgh. Victorian case

Charles Kirk of Glasgow

Victorian Black Grouse by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.
Victorian Puffin by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.
Victorian Puffin by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.
Victorian Budegriegar by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.
Victorian Hen Harrier by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.
Victorian Fox Cub by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.
Black Grouse by Charles Kirk of Glasgow.

Victorian Gannet in breeding plumage by Charles Kirk & Co, then based in Sauchiehall Street Galsgow, from the BCB collection. Charles Kirk of Glasgow, circa 1910 - It is understood that he trained under Rowland Ward and clearly, given the quality of the work established one of the most respected Scottish firm
Interesting item relating to Seabirds as pictured above WHEREAS during several years past the birds commonly designated gulls or sea-gulls, which formerly abounded on the coasts of this Island, have become very scarce by reason of the extensive destruction of them by persons seeking their plumage: And whereas it appears, by evidence taken before a Committee of the Tynwald Court, that the said birds are considered of great importance to persons engaged in the herring fishing, inasmuch as they indicate the localities where bodies of fish may be: And also that they are of much use for sanitary purposes, by reason that they remove the offal of fish from the harbours and shores: And it is deemed advisable to prevent the destruction of the said birds. We, therefore, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, Deemsters, and Keys of the said Isle, do humbly beseech your Majesty that it may be enacted, and be it enacted, by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lieut.-Governor, Council, Deemsters, and Keys, in Tynwald assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows (that is to say) :- 1. This Act may be cited for all purposes as ` The Sea-Gull Preservation Act, 1867.' 2. In the construction of this Act the word 'Gull' shall include the black-headed gull, the common gull or seamew, the herring gull, the kittiwake, skua gull, and every other species of gull or sea-gull, by whatever name it may be distinguished; and shall also include the gannet or solan goose, the shag 1 and the guilimot,2 and it shall be sufficient in a prosecution under this Act to prove with respect to the nature of the bird, that it is commonly known in this Island by any of the foregoing designations. 3. Any person who within this Island or within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court 3 of this Island, shall wilfully kill or destroy any gull, or shall take from the nest an egg of any gull, or shall wilfully break, spoil, or destroy an egg of any gull in the nest, shall for each offence forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding five pounds. 4. Any person who shall have in his possession any dead gull, or any undressed plumage having the appearance of being recently stripped from any gull, or an egg of any gull, shall be deemed to have killed or taken such gull or egg as aforesaid, unless he shall prove the contrary. 5. Every penalty or forfeiture payable under this Act shall be proceeded for and recoverable as in the case of summary proceedings taken under the Petty Sessions Act, 1864,4 and at the suit or instance of any harbour-master, constable, or any other person, before a High Bailiff or a Justice of the Peace, anything in the said Act to the contrary notwithstanding. 6. One moiety of every penalty recovered under this Act shall be paid to the informer. Provided always, that it shall be lawful for the Governor, in his discretion, to remit, mitigate, or suspend the payment of such penalty. Royal Assent dated 29th February 1868. Promulgated 6th July 1868.

FC Waters.

Victorian Scottish Crossbills by FC Waters of Aberdeenshire. Magical case and yes you have guessed it, not for sale. Not sure how many Water's cases exist, we have only heard of 3 additional items of work by this family of taxidermists. FC Waters was the son, other examples were undertaken by AC Waters, the founder of the company. James Birch Waters, christened 1835 in Kent, died Aboyne 1912.Frederick C Waters, born ~1869, London. A fine example of British Historical Taxidermy
Victorian Scottish Capercailles by JB Waters of Aberdeenshire. These cases date around 1866-79. Very little information exists about this firm and from the examples that we have seen suggests that they principly concentrated on game birds, most likely for shooting estates.
Victorian Scottish Capercailles by JB Waters of Aberdeenshire. These cases date around 1866-79. Very little information exists about this firm and from the examples that we have seen suggests that they principly concentrated on game birds, most likely for shooting estates.
Victorian Scottish Capercailles by JB Waters of Aberdeenshire. These cases date around 1866-79. Very little information exists about this firm and from the examples that we have seen suggests that they principly concentrated on game birds, most likely for shooting estates.
Victorian Scottish Capercailles by JB Waters of Aberdeenshire. These cases date around 1866-79. Very little information exists about this firm and from the examples that we have seen suggests that they principly concentrated on game birds, most likely for shooting estates.
Victorian Scottish Capercailles by JB Waters of Aberdeenshire. These cases date around 1866-79. Very little information exists about this firm and from the examples that we have seen suggests that they principly concentrated on game birds, most likely for shooting estates.
Victorian Nighjars by FC Waters.
Victorian Capercaille female by FC Waters.
Victorian Capercaille male by FC Waters.
Victorian Blackcock by Waters of Aberdeenshire.
Victorian label by FC Waters Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

J Lamb of Perth.

Victorian Grouse by James Lamb of Perth.
Victorian Capercailles by James Lamb of Perth.

John MacPhearson of Inverness.

Victorian Capercailles by MacPhearsons of Inverness.
European Victorian Golden Eagle by MacPhearson of Inverness.
Trout by MacPhearson of Inverness.
European Victorian Golden Eagle by MacPherson of Inverness.
Victorian label by John MacPherson of Inverness, established 1887.
Victorian label by W Horton of Glasgow.

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