King Charles' official fishing rod maker is winding down and retiring after 50 years of service and 4,000 rods.
Master craftsman Harry Jamieson, 79, has fashioned custom-made rods for King Charles, Queen Camilla and celebrities including Billy Connolly during an astonishing career. Based in a workshop in Nethy Bridge, Strathspey, in the Scottish Highlands, Harry is now stepping back and donating many of his tools to a local charity.
But before he does, he's shared the secret to King Charles' angling success. He revealed South American Greenheart hardwood is the Royal's preferred choice for a rod because it is supple and considered perfect for the nearby River Spey.
Speaking of the Royal, Harry said: “He’s very, very easy going and a good listener.'' Harry also has a hoard of thank you notes - including from the Royal family.
In one, King Charles wrote: “Dear Harry, I was so touched to receive that marvellous Tweed reel cover for Christmas! From now on I shall be able to tie up my reel in relative comfort and security and could not be more grateful to you for such a generous thought. Yours most sincerely, Charles.”
Meanwhile a note from Camilla said: "Dear Harry, I am thrilled with my new fishing rod and wanted to write and thank you for your incredible kindness. I have already tried it out on the Naver, but sadly the water was too low and I didn’t manage to catch anything.
“Nevertheless I greatly enjoyed the experience! This comes with my warmest good wishes and heartfelt thanks, Camilla.”
Harry hopes someone younger will now take over his Royal-appointed duties as he steps down from the job. Harry said: ''I’ve decided to wind down and make way for a younger person. 'There will be someone out there with the time on their hands to carry on the mantle of producing custom-made fishing rods for those who want them.”
Harry and wife, Chris, live in their restored Craigmore Mill, where Harry works in his "by royal appointment" workshop while Chris manicures the gardens. Harry still speaks with passion for the work which has sustained him ever since he was a young ski instructor on Cairngorm.
He was looking for some indoors work to keep him busy when the snow had gone. Harry said it takes about three months to make a rod.
He said: ''You just have to continue planning, planning until it’s right for fashioning into the finished article. But that’s another phase of the work and it all takes time, if you’re going to do it right.” Harry says health issues have become a factor as he approaches his 80th birthday and he says it’s time to slow down and reflect.
He has already started creating space in his workshop, donating a range of high-precision tools, some of them historic pieces, to the Badenoch Men’s Shed project, to the delight of organiser Colin Whitton. Colin said: “We’re so grateful to this amazing man who has been such an inspiration to so many and can now inspire a whole new generation locally to fashion their own creations, while sharing the company that’s so vital to their mental health and well-being.”
Harry's restored and manicured garden at Craigmore Mill has earned thousands for cancer research with its annual opening days.