Target shooting Scotland: rifle sessions at Eagle Brae
Our target shooting in Scotland sessions take place on a traditional Highland estate in Strathglass, Inverness-shire. During your stay, you can book an introductory session and fire a high-powered sporting rifle at a target. It’s fun, informative, and a rare chance to try the sport for the first time. And best of all, afterwards, you return to your own handcrafted log cabin to relive every shot.
What is target shooting?
So, what is target shooting? Put simply, it’s a precision sport in which you aim at a fixed target and score on accuracy. Every shot shows you exactly where it landed, so can see your progress from one round to the next.
Target shooting covers several disciplines, including smallbore, fullbore and air rifle shooting. In each case, the aim stays the same. You want your shots close together and near the centre. Scottish Target Shooting is the governing body for the sport in Scotland, and the National Museum of Scotland calls it the oldest international sport in the world.
Target shooting also differs from clay pigeon shooting, which we offer as a separate activity. Clay shooters use a shotgun to hit moving clays. However, with target shooting, you use a rifle and your targets stay still. Because of this, the focus moves to steady breathing, careful aim, and a smooth trigger squeeze.
Your target shooting experience at Eagle Brae
Your target shooting experience begins on our estate range. First, our team takes you through how the sporting rifle works and how to hold it. Next, you’ll shoot at stationary clays and printed targets from approximately 100 metres.
Each guest shoots 10 rounds, and for the final group, you’ll aim at a printed shooting target. This shows clearly how close your shots landed to one another. And throughout the session, our team guides you on how to shoot more accurately.
The session suits two kinds of guests in particular. Firstly, it’s ideal if you’ve never fired a sporting rifle before. Secondly, it works well if you’re developing an interest in shooting and want expert input. In both cases, you’ll leave with new skills and a printed target to take home as proof.
How we help you tighten your group
In shooting, a “group” is the cluster of holes your shots leave on the target. A tight group means your technique is consistent, whereas a loose group shows where small changes could help.
Throughout your session, our team watches each shot and explains how to tighten your group. Small adjustments often make a visible difference within a few rounds. Consequently, many first-time shooters see their accuracy improve before the session ends. That feeling of progress is a big part of what makes target shooting so satisfying.
Safety, quiet rifles and who can take part
Safety comes first at every stage. So, our sessions are led by Eagle Brae team members with substantial knowledge and experience of firearms. In addition, all our rifles are fitted with moderators, so the noise stays minimal. That makes the session more comfortable, especially for anyone nervous about the sound of a high-powered rifle.
No prior experience is required, either. However, the minimum age is 17, so the activity suits adults and older teenagers. We teach everything from the basics, so a complete beginner can enjoy it alongside a more experienced friend.
Group target shooting with friends and family
Group target shooting is one of the most sociable activities we offer. Everyone shoots the same number of rounds at the same distance, which makes for a fair contest. Naturally, comparing scores soon becomes part of the fun.
Who can hit the most stationary clays? Whose final group is the tightest? These questions tend to follow you back to the cabin. For this reason, the session works well for families with older children, groups of friends and couples. It also makes a memorable addition to a celebration or a group trip to the Highlands. To plan a group stay, get in touch with our team.
Target shooting Scotland: the Eagle Brae setting
Setting shapes the whole experience. Eagle Brae sits in Strathglass, near Struy, where the Rivers Farrar and Glass meet below the estate. Meanwhile, the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve lies right on your doorstep.
Between shots, you’ll see open hillside, woodland and sky. Golden eagles and red kites often drift above the glen, while red deer graze the surrounding slopes. Few places offer target shooting in Scotland with this much space and calm around you. For that reason, the session feels as much a Highland outing as a shooting lesson.
Target shooting UK: where to go after your first session
Many guests leave Eagle Brae keen to keep shooting. If that’s you, joining a club is the usual next step. Target shooting UK clubs offer regular range time, coaching and competitions.
For target shooting clubs, Scotland has a single governing body, Scottish Target Shooting, which supports clubs across the country. Clubs for shooting targets UK wide often focus on one discipline, so it’s worth checking what each one offers first. Also, bear in mind that owning a rifle in Scotland requires a firearm certificate from Police Scotland.
Air rifles offer another route into the sport. In particular, field target shooting UK competitions involve knocking down metal targets at varying distances with an air rifle. The British Field Target Association governs this discipline and has affiliated clubs around the country. Whichever path you choose, a session at Eagle Brae gives you a solid first taste of the sport.
Pair your session with more Highland activities
A target shooting session leaves plenty of your day free. So, many guests combine it with another outing from our activity programme. For example, you could add clay pigeon shooting for a full day of field sports. Alternatively, try canoeing on the River Glass or walking in the glens.
Then, at the end of the day, you return to one of our ten log cabins. Choose from cabins sleeping two to six guests, and bring your dog too. It’s the ideal base for an active Highland break.
Book a target shooting session at Eagle Brae
Target shooting is available all year, except from mid-September to 20th October. The minimum age is 17. Please enquire for current prices.
To arrange your session, first check availability and book your log cabin. After that, our team can fit target shooting into your stay. To book or find out more about our outdoor activities, contact us here or call 01463 761301.
