What Makes The Best Shooting Trip?

Nick Elsdon, who runs Anglia Sporting, organises all manner of sporting outings, from driven days to rough shooting, pigeon shooting and shooting over pointers. “I think one of the most important things is the personal contact you establish with visiting Guns. For us, it’s all about building a relationship with your guests. We find that our clients really enjoy talking to the keepers and mixing in with others - it gives them a sense of involvement, while at many of the grander shoots they don’t get that. The feeling of being part of the day, not simply clients, and the personalised service that we offer is, to my mind, more important than fancy elevenses, although we can do those too! That’s what keeps my clients returning.” 

While Nick’s guests stay at local pubs or hotels, for many the place you stay, surrounded by family or friends, is a huge part of the experience. From the moment guests enter the stunning surroundings of Ballathie House Hotel, in Perthshire, they know that no matter what the day’s sport will bring, their stay will be memorable. From the comfort of the bedrooms, each of which is unique, or the 12-bedroom Sportman’s Lodge, ideal for a shooting party, the feeling of seclusion and luxury is certain to ensure a great trip. The food is particularly memorable, with the hotel’s seasonal, carefully prepared dishes winning the establishment a 2AA Rosette status. There’s plenty of sport to be had in the area, and the hotel’s own beats on the Tay are not to be sniffed at for salmon fishing, while shooting on the many local estates is rich in tradition and game – Scone Palace, Atholl Estates and Glamis are all within 30 minutes’ drive. All this is pulled together by what the hotel truly prides itself on: service. “Nothing is too much trouble,” says Sales Manager Liz Edington. “We can organise sporting outings for our guests and we pride ourselves on a personalised service.” 

While plenty of hotels can organise sport for its guests in the area, a shooting lodge is, perhaps, the ideal solution for a party of family and friends. Soval Lodge, on the Isle of Lewis, provides just that; a lodge with full board, including an evening where fresh-caught lobster is served. The estate has a vast amount to offer, says owner Richard Kershaw: “I think one of the things that makes it special for our visitors is the amazing variety. There’s walked-up grouse shooting, both hill and woodland stalking, driven and walked-up woodcock shooting, duck flighting as well as also some fantastic salmon and trout fishing and the opportunity to go out on the sea boat. So, no matter what the conditions or time of year, there’s always something to do, and enough sport to keep everyone happy, especially as they are looked after by three keepers.”

Variety is only one aspect of the sport that Soval offers - the stalking is fantastic, with wild landscape, and often requires going in by boat, while the fact that the game shooting is for wild birds and is always done over pointers also adds to the enjoyment. The landscape may have something to do with what makes this such a special place – the feeling of getting away from it all, of adventure and the surroundings all lead to an experience that transcends just good sport. And the fact that the lodge is a homely, comfortable place to stay, rather than a more anonymous hotel. “Guests feel like they own the lodge for the week. The seven-bedroom; six-bathroom lodge which is finished to a very high standard. It’s located in a wonderful position overlooking the sea loch and they keep coming back, 95 per cent of our visitors are returning guests, which says it all.