Unbeatable Value: A High Quality Family Shoot at Braco

What to expect

A traditional family shoot, with the emphasis on real quality at extraordinary value.

The history

When the Muir family acquired Braco, towards the end of the Great War, they took care to lay out the coverts either side of the two valleys that flow through the Estate.

In those days, the cost of a project like that was more affordable than it is now; just as well then that they got it so right that today’s direct descendant, David Muir, has never felt the need to plant supplementary game crops – a rare shoot indeed.

It seems that, unusually for Edwardians, David’s forebears believed the only good pheasant is a high one; mind you, not so high as to be unattainable by a normal shotgun and cartridge. There’ll be plenty of birds of good enough quality to test the most jaded palate – just like the homemade catering for which Braco is well known.

Not afraid to get stuck in 

David knows the keepers’ job just as well as his team. Frequently found in the rearing field, checking his pens at dawn and dusk during the summer (nb rather longer daylight hours than further South), he’ll then be out on vermin patrol come darkness, not to mention a busy deer stalking program.

With a programme currently extending to 25 days per season, over 3000 acres, Braco can only be considered to be lightly shot. This shows in the infectious enjoyment of the home team, especially the beaters and pickers up who are such a key part of the show.

Bang for your buck 

Braco is also known for providing excellent value for money with their current tariff nearly a third cheaper than equivalent shoots further South.

Whilst the shooting is primarily for high pheasants, some of the drives are supplemented by duck from ponds on the edge of the hill – so equally high or higher. However sporting these duck are, there is no insistence that they form a part of the day – although they can if a team wishes. There are normal duck – not always uber popular – and then there are Braco duck, which some teams choose to come and shoot exclusively on dedicated duck days.

Back to back shoots are very popular - especially for those teams who’ve travelled further. There are plenty of hotel options in the immediate vicinity, ranging from Gleneagles to the more homely Royal Hotel, Comrie 

Essential details:

Located near the A9, between Dunblane and Auchterarder.

Meet at the brand new, all singing and dancing, Shoot Lodge.

Typical day: 4 drives, with elevenses after the 2nd drive and lunch after the 3rd or 4th drive – the teams have a choice.

Elevenses normally consist of their famous sausage rolls, sautéed game strips and homemade soup. David is happy to offer a choice of lunch menus. All the food is home produced.

In a perfect world, he prefers shooting through, especially after the clocks change, due to the shortage of daylight hours.

Typical bag size: 200. Minimum is 150, and they can shoot up to 400 or more.

The price for a 200 bird day is £43/bird all in.

Mainly pheasant with some duck as well.

Like all properly run shoots, Braco has a bespoke contract which you are wise to study carefully before commitment.