SHOTGUN/FIREARMS PERMITS

All UK residents bringing their own shotgun or rifle must hold a current UK Shotgun/Firearm Certificate. The former is available from your local police station and can take up to three months to process so it is essential to apply in plenty of time.

If you are using an estate rifle it is not necessary to hold a firearms certificate.

Non UK residents require an Overseas Visitor's Shotgun/Firearms Permit to bring a gun/rifle into Britain, or to buy a gun and ammunition whilst here or to shoot here. We are happy to organise these and require the application form and, if you are coming from Europe, your original European Firearms Licence. Applications must be made at least 8 weeks before your arrival in the UK. Each permit costs £75.

The permit must be signed by the bearer on receipt and will specify the number, description and identification number of the gun(s) it covers. Should the gun or any ammunition be lost or stolen, it is essential that you inform us immediately as we are the sponsors for your permit application. You will need to show your permit on arrival in Britain with your gun and must carry it at all times when shooting.

THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE

All guns should have Third Party Liability Insurance cover of up to £5,000,000 per gun in case of any unfortunate accident. You are automatically insured if you are a member of either the Countryside Alliance or the BASC.

CLIMATE
The weather in the highlands can change very quickly, be prepared for wet weather and temperatures ranging from below freezing in the winter to 25 degrees + in the summer.

CLOTHING
Whatever clothing one chooses to wear, three important aspects should be borne in mind - comfort, protection against the elements and an eye for camouflage. Some of the best camouflage in the heather is in fact tweed, so plus 4s or 2s would work very well. But generally, wearing drab colours is fine.

FOOTWEAR
Bear in mind that you will be walking on some rough terrain which is wet, maybe frozen - particularly later on during the season. Options range from stout, leather ankle boots with gaiters through ankle length rubber boots to the traditional calf length wellington boot.
We would recommend waterproof walking boots and gaiters.

COAT
Most guns now wear lightweight Gore-Tex jackets, of which there is a wide choice. They are extremely comfortable, very warm and waterproof.

HEADGEAR
Finally, the hat. Choose a traditional English shooting cap and you won't go wrong.

Itineraries can be tailored to suit your requirements and timings.

Clients can be picked up from Inverness airport by the estate to make the one hour transfer to the lodge.

All of your activities during your stay on the estate are included in the lodge rental.
While at the lodge you will be looked after to the highest standards, all meals and wines will be provided for you by the estate.

Guests who would like to stalk will head out at around 9am each day and the estate can accommodate up to 3 rifles on the hill each day.

There are numerous other activities for the family such as mountain biking, hill loch fishing and the estate is within easy reach of numerous golf courses.

Parties are welcome to stay for part or full weeks.

Stalking
Bighouse Estate has access to 60,000 acres of stunning wild Sutherland landscape bordering on to the Flow Country. The wide rolling plains and hills make stalking an exciting challenge for stalkers of varying experience. The estate also provides Roe stalking in the numerous forrested areas.

Fishing
The Halladale is a highland spate river which has its origins in the Flow country on the Knockfin Heights to the south of Forsinard and runs north for 22 miles entering the Pentland Firth at Melvich Bay. Water from the Flow country maintains a summer level but like all spate rivers, the Halladale can suffer from low water in a prolonged drought. There are three lochs in the system (Nam Breac, Sainn and Saird) which are dammed and which are used to provide extra water.

The river's 15 mile length provides some 50 named pools. The river has six beats (two upper and four lower) and three rods fish on each beat. In 2004, 628 salmon were caught on the river. Fishing is from the banks and it is not necessary to have waders to fish the pools. It is however, helpful to have thigh waders to cross the river at will when the water is not too high.

The Halladale is a very interesting river to fish and repays mastering a number of different techniques to get the best out of it as well as increasing fishing enjoyment.

There are numerous trout lochs on the estate boasting some excellent fighting brown trout. Sea fishing takes place in Melvich Bay or from Scrabster and home to a great wealth of fish of many varieties.

Other
Scenic walks along the coastal path and surrounding estate, beautiful beaches and gardens. Numerous golf courses within 90 minutes, including Brora and Durness. Dornoch Reay, only 10 minutes away, was designed by James Braid in the 19th century and is a little gem, providing a challenge for golfers of all standards.

Melvich and other local beaches provide some excellent surfing.

Clay shooting can be organised in an area specifically laid out for the sport.

Many visitor attractions are nearby, including the Castle of Mey, Orkney, John O'Groats and Smoo Cave.

Bighouse Lodge is situated on the northern coast of the Highlands of Scotland, less than an hour west of John O' Groats.

Two and a half hours by road from Inverness Airport, the Lodge is half a mile off the A836 northern highland coastal route. It is also possible to travel north from Inverness by train or coach.