KIRKOSWALD CASTLE—NOVEMBER 17-24 2024
THE ITINERARY
SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER
Guests will be picked up at Edinburgh Airport and brought to the Roundthorn Country House in Penrith—a scenic 100-mile drive south into England’s Lake District. This delightful country inn with beautiful apartments and a superb restaurant will be our home for the week.
MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER
After breakfast at the Roundthorn, we leave at 8:45 for the short drive to the Kirkoswald Castle Estate. We’ll enjoy coffee, tea and pastries in the lodge and meet our host, Daniel Price. Today’s bag of 250 birds will be mostly pheasant with some duck or partridge. We will shoot two drives, stop for elevenses in the field, then shoot two more drives before the traditional shoot lunch. Afterward, depending on the bag, we’ll end with one or two drives. This evening we’ll visit a pub or restaurant for a light bite.
TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER
A second day of shooting 250 driven birds, following a program like yesterday’s. The Kirkoswald Castle Estate has more than 30 drives over 3,000 acres, so we will not see the same drive twice. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant in Clifton.
WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER
This will be the first of our two non-shooting break days. Since we’re in the scenic Lake District, we may tour the national park, taking lunch in one of the many lakeside restaurants around Windermere or Ambleside, or we can visit Yorkshire Dales National Park, which is also close at hand.
THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER
Our second break day and we have several options, such as a visit to Westlands Country Park with its first-class clays course and restaurant. The 40-minute drive from the Roundthorn is through one of the most picturesque regions of the United Kingdom.
FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER
Following breakfast, we will drive to a different part of the Kirkoswald estate. Today we stand only six guns for 300 birds, so each of us will be entitled to a larger bag. Our day will follow the traditional pattern—two drives, elevenses in the field, two more drives, lunch and then one or two more drives. Dinner this evening will be at the shoot lodge.
SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER
To finish with a ‘bang’ (many of them), today we shoot the most challenging drives that Kirkoswald Castle has to offer, with the steep banks and high trees that the Cumbrian countryside is known for. Again, there will be just six guns for 300 birds, so expect plenty of shooting at high pheasants.
Note: At our farewell dinner tonight, with all due pomp & ceremony we will invest new members (if any!) into the Anglo American Shooting Society, and—should any member have proven so deserving—once again award the Don Foster Cup. As always, the dress code will be full AASS regalia; medals may be worn. Guests who are not members are asked to wear jacket & tie or elegant dress/suit.
SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
Subject to your departure times, we will arrange transport to Edinburgh Airport or other destinations. When booking flights, please keep in mind that the Roundthorn Country House is about 2.5 hours’ drive from the airport
INCLUDED
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All activities and shooting as described
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All accommodations as described
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All meals as described, including table wines
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Airport or hotel transfers and transfers to and from each venue
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UK Visitors Shotgun Permits
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Loaner guns if desired
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Loaders if desired
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Unlimited cartridges
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All keepers’ and loaders’ gratuities
NOT INCLUDED
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Travel to and from Edinburgh
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Alcohol other than wine with meals
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Personal items (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
NOTES
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You are welcome to bring your own gun(s), and we will arrange the necessary documentation as required.
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Guns must be double-barrelled break-action types, side-by-side or over/under; pairs are not necessary.
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Loaner guns will be available at no charge; please let us know in advance if you prefer this to bringing your own gun(s).
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Loaders are available if you wish; they accompany you during the day, carry your gun and cartridges, guide you to the stand, offer shooting instruction if desired and clean your gun at the end of the day. Loaders must be booked in advance, so please let us know if you’d like one. (Their cost is included in the package price.)
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Daytime temperatures in Scotland in November will typically be 40 - 50 degrees F and rain is possible at any time, so wellingtons or similar boots and a waterproof coat and hat are necessary.
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Gun slips and cartridge bags will be available.
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If you have special dietary requirements, please advise us in advance.
COST
The total cost is £14,950 per shooter. Non-shooters are welcome at £1,950 each, double occupancy. (A car and driver will be available for non-shooters who wish to go off on their own, but of course non-shooters are welcome to join their Guns in the field at any time.) A 50% deposit is due with your booking and the balance will be due on 1 September 2024.