Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m Will Forbes, a self-employed farrier living in rural Perthshire. I’ve been working as a farrier for around 15 years and running my own business for nearly 10 of those. Interestingly, I didn’t have any horse experience when I started—I was hooked after seeing a demonstration at the Highland Fieldsports Fair and feel lucky to have found a career I still find so rewarding.

Outside of my “day job,” I run Stormwatch Gundogs, a small gundog training kennels. My passion for gundogs has been lifelong—my parents ran a boarding kennels, and my father trained and trialled spaniels and labradors. It was probably inevitable I’d have dogs in my life!

Outside of work and dogs, I’ve recently taken up running. I completed my first marathon last year, and although it was tough, I’ve caught the bug and hope to take part in another this year or next. Running the Edinburgh Marathon also gave me the chance to fundraise for the Country Food Trust, a charity providing nutritious meals to those in need. That ties nicely to another passion of mine—food. I love dining out, and in my opinion, Scotland boasts some of the best cuisine in the world. It’s so important we eat more locally sourced, seasonal food—game is a perfect example.

Tell us about Stormwatch Gundogs.

Stormwatch Gundogs was founded in 1982 by my father, Brian Forbes, when he bought his first dog, Stormwatch Paddy. Initially, Paddy was just meant to be a pet and a companion for rough shooting, but as Dad trained him, his enthusiasm grew. Paddy went on to win awards in trials and represented Scotland in the gundog team.

Following Paddy’s success, my father trialled other springer spaniels and achieved A-panel status. While he doesn’t trial anymore, he still enjoys working his dogs on local shoots and is always my first call when I run into training challenges.

His philosophy has always been, “The harder you train, the luckier you become.” That’s stayed with me—not just in dog training, but in life.

Do you have a favourite gundog breed?

It’s hard to choose, but I’d have to say cocker or springer spaniels. They’re versatile, intelligent, and eager to please. That said, I love watching all dogs work—whether it’s a spaniel hunting a hedgerow, a retriever handling a long-distance retrieve, setters searching heather moorland for grouse, or terriers ratting. It’s all fascinating to me.

What are your top three gundog training tips?

For me, the three key principles are: Consistency is key. Set clear boundaries for your dog, keep commands simple, and always aim to set them up for success. Keep an open mind. Every dog has its own personality, and one training method doesn’t fit all. Be ready to adapt and, if in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Make it fun! Building a successful partnership in the field requires trust and enjoyment for both handler and dog.

What do you like to wear in the field?

From the Glorious Twelfth through to mid-February, you’ll usually find me in my Campbell’s of Beauly plus fours. I had my first pair made to measure in 2012, and 12 years later, they’re still my go-to for every sporting occasion—from deer stalking to field trials. I had another pair made last year, and just like the first, they’re fantastic quality and an essential part of my shooting season attire. I also wear a Campbell’s Nehru gilet with bellow pockets, which is perfect for shooting.

I remember visiting Campbell’s of Beauly as a child—we lived nearby, and whether it was popping in with my father for shooting socks or doing some Christmas shopping, we always found just the right thing. There’s a different level of service when you support independent businesses, and Campbell’s is a perfect example. Under John and Nicola’s ownership, the shop has been transformed, yet it’s retained its authentic, historic character.