SCOTLAND — NOVEMBER 10-16 2024
THE ITINERARY
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Guests will be met at Edinburgh Airport and driven to the grand Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, about 50 miles away. Alongside the 17th hole and overlooking the famous golf course as well as West Sand Beach, this is one of Europe’s top luxury resorts, and it will be our base for the week. This evening’s welcome dinner will be in a private dining room at the hotel.
MONDAY 11 NOVEMBER
After breakfast we’ll leave at 9:00 for the 15-minute drive to Teasses, which has been a renowned sporting estate for more than a century. Our day of 350 pheasant, partridge and the occasional duck will begin with tea, coffee, pastries and a briefing by head keeper Kenny Horne, who has been at Teasses for more than 25 years. We’ll shoot two drives, break for elevenses in the traditional “bothy,” then return to the field for two more drives before lunch at the lodge. Afterward we’ll shoot another drive or possibly two, depending on the bag, weather and daylight. Dinner this evening will be at a nearby restaurant.
TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER
Another 9:00AM departure to return to Teasses for another 350-bird day. Again we’ll have tea, coffee, pastries and the briefing by Mr. Horne, draw our pegs and set off on a similar day: two drives, elevenses, then another two drives followed by the shoot lunch and finally—depending on the bag, weather and daylight—one or two concluding drives. This evening, after our return to The Old Course Hotel, we will again dine at a local restaurant.
WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER
Today is our traditional non-shooting day, our midweek break. Details to follow, but our activities may include falconry, golf, a distillery visit and sight-seeing. Back at our hotel, we’ll gather for dinner at another restaurant in the area—we’re spoiled for choice here. (We should mention that this part of Scotland is breathtakingly scenic.)
THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER
After breakfast we will depart at 9:00, this time to a shoot run by keeper Jamie Horne—Kenny Horne’s son—in the Tay River Valley near St. Andrews. Jamie manages shoots on three estates here; he will choose the best one for us depending on weather, wind and other conditions. Again, we’ll have two drives before elevenses followed be another two drives, lunch and then one or two more drives.
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Today will be a repeat of yesterday, shooting 350 birds at one of the three estates managed by Jamie Horne in the Tay Valley: two drives before elevenses and two drives after, followed by lunch and then one or two more drives to round out our week’s sport in Fife.
Note: At our farewell dinner tonight in our private dining room, 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.
SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER
Subject to your departure times, we will arrange transport to Edinburgh Airport or other destinations, as you wish. Please keep in mind that St Andrews is about one hour’s 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 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 £17,950 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.