"John Cowan was born in the Scottish Borders and spent his early years exploring the surrounding countryside and learning about its wildlife, trying to glean as much knowledge as possible from the old countrymen he knew.

His first job was under the watchful eye of the famous keeper, Ronnie Rose, at Eskdalemuir, where he learnt about deer stalking, grouse, blackcock, duck and pheasant shooting. He then took employment at the Duke of Roxburgh's estate near Kelso, learning about grouse and wild partridge management under Jimmy Nairn.

For the last 30 years, John has been headkeeper on a 6000-acre estate in Galloway where he manages high quality pheasant and partridge shooting and roe deer stalking.

His wife Jan helps him with many of the keepering tasks on a daily basis. They have two children and two grandchildren.
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