Spanning 120,000 stunning acres in its entirety, the natural beauty of the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland's hidden gem, offers a unique setting for every type of field sport and is proving to be one of the most sought after shoots in the country.
The focal point of your day is Drumlanrig Castle where you meet in the morning for coffee and return back for lunch and tea. The estate starts shooting driven partridges from the 1st September and they have developed one of the top shoots in the country with birds flying from a great range of challenging heights and angles. There are now 3 excellent beats with 24 drives ranging from difficult to the extreme. All beats are situated between the moorland and wooded areas on the Estate with breathtaking scenery and easy access from hill tracks. The high driven partridge shoot at Queensberry is renowned amongst the best shots in the land.
There are also 3 principal pheasant beats at Queensberry, covering 15,000 acres. Across these beats are 25 exhilarating drives varying from extremely high gliding pheasants on bracken-clad hills, to perfectly positioned game covers and mixed mature woodlands, all situated within spectacular scenery. Here, they can offer some of the best, diverse, top quality pheasant shooting in Scotland and up to a week's sport can be arranged without covering the same ground twice.
A variety of shoot days are offered ranging from full, double gun, driven days with loaders to walked-up shooting over dogs.
There are also plenty of options for accommodation ranging from some magnificent private homes that can be taken on an exclusive basis to some local hotels. For that special occasion, the Castle is also available.
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.
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.
A draft itinerary for a one night stay and one day shoot could be as follows:
DAY 1
6.00 pm - Arrive into Glasgow airport and transfer to the Castle
8.00 pm - Dinner
DAY 2
8.00 am onwards - Breakfast
9.30 am - Move off for first drive
11.00 am - After two drives stop for elevenses which can consist of soup,
sausages and sloe gin. Two more drives can then follow before lunch
1.00 pm - Lunch
2.00 pm - Move off for final two drives
4.00 pm - Tea and depart after tea
Please note that the number of drives on a day can vary depending upon the bag expectation and other uncontrollable factors like the weather.
For non-shooting guests, plenty of other activities are available, from horse riding, trekking and cycling, to guided sight seeing.
The Queensberry Estate is situated in Dumfriesshire, one and a quarter hours from Glasgow airport and 1 hour from Prestwick airport (private planes only).
Enquire now
Call one of our consultants to book now:
+44 (0)1488 689 788
Or alternatively fill in this short enquiry form and we'll get back to you shortly:
Our View
The combination of high partridges and pheasants with the backdrop of Drumlanrig Castle is difficult to beat anywhere in the world.
Price Guide
£37 + vat per bird with the only extras being gratuities and cartridges.
Availability
6 Sep, 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
7 Sep, 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
20 Oct, 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
2 Nov, 12, 350 mixed, £37 + VAT per bird
5 Nov, 12, 350 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
6 Nov, 12, 350 mixed, £37 + VAT per bird
3 Dec, 12, 250 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
14 Dec, 12, 250 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
15 Dec, 12, 250 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
7 Sep, 12, 400 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
20 Oct, 12, 300 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
2 Nov, 12, 350 mixed, £37 + VAT per bird
5 Nov, 12, 350 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
6 Nov, 12, 350 mixed, £37 + VAT per bird
3 Dec, 12, 250 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
14 Dec, 12, 250 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
15 Dec, 12, 250 birds, £37 + VAT per bird
