Nith Valley Sporting , Scotland
Situated in south-west Scotland near the town of Dumfries. Nith Valley Sporting operates over the Dalswinton estate combined with a neighbouring estate Newlands. Together Nith Valley Sporting offers a vast variety of driven shooting over some 5,000 acres with the focal point being Newlands House.
The respective families have owned these estates for over 100 years and have, up until eight years ago, been running the shoots separately. However, both families decided that by combining forces they could create a superb shoot providing an array of quality drives to suit every kind of shot.
Nith Valley Sporting predominately releases pheasants with a few partridges, so can offer partridge only days in early October and then mixed days throughout the rest of the season. Days can be from 150 to 400 birds with six to nine guns in the line. Drives are mainly from mature woodland, although strategically planted game cover is used to make full use of the steep topography. Drives like Pedro’s, Fern Hill, the Quarry, Middle Hill and Birrell’s Wood normally leave a lasting memory of the one that got away! The Estates can also easily shoot on three consecutive days without going over the same ground twice.
Lunch is usually taken back at the house in the main dining room and at the end of day; teams return to the house for tea and then depart with a brace of oven-ready birds. If teams prefer to shoot through, then this is not a problem as the shoot is entirely flexible. Coffee on arrival, 11’s, lunch, drinks and tea are all included in your day.
The majority of parties stay in comfortable accommodation nearby, which has room for up to nine couples, all with their own bathroom, although not necessarily en-suite. Menus and any other requirements are all agreed before your arrival. Parties have complete use of the house, including a full sized snooker table. There is a very relaxed and informal atmosphere and no stone is left unturned in making you feel at home.
The nearest airports are Glasgow or Edinburgh, both approximately 1½ hours away. Private planes can land at Carlisle, just 45 minutes away. There is an excellent 4hr train service between London Euston and Carlisle or Lockerbie, which is closer. Arranging pick-ups and transfers is not a problem and your hosts are more than happy to lend guns and supply cartridges.
"We have shot at estates across the UK and very few have been able to match the overall enjoyment we experienced at Dalswinton. A great success, thank you."
"The worst thing about it is leaving... always with a heavy heart as we have had a fantastic time and this year was no exception. In fact, the best. Thank you both so much for another special memory... I just can't believe it will be another 365 days!"
"Next season will be my 10th consecutive trip up north and it couldn’t be easier to get to from London as I take the train from Euston around 2ish and then I’m enjoying drinks and canapés by 7 having had a relaxed and pleasant journey""I’ve stayed and shot on many estates and estancias around the world, but I keep on coming back to south-west Scotland as I enjoy the shooting, the jovial atmosphere and the comfortable accommodation which makes for a winning trip every time"
