Scotland

[mattmann]

Hello!

Planning a trip to Scotland for roe deer next year around August! Has anyone had any experience traveling over there to hunt? Whats the process for getting your gun there and back? What about suppressors? I know the outfitter will help with it but figured I’d ask now so I can start planning. Thanks!


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[mattmann]

Bump


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[mulveymo]

One of my friends is going over for red stag this fall. His outfitter helped with the whole process/paperwork for getting his gun in country. Overall not a terribly difficult process from what I heard.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I know 2 people that have gone to do that but both used the outfitters rifles. I both cases I believe they were blazers. Have you considered that option? Might be easier to borrow the gun, especially if there is more to the trip than hunting, I’m not sure what the rules are about driving around the UK doing tourist stuff with a gun in your rental car are.

 

[mattmann]

I know 2 people that have gone to do that but both used the outfitters rifles. I both cases I believe they were blazers. Have you considered that option? Might be easier to borrow the gun, especially if there is more to the trip than hunting, I’m not sure what the rules are about driving around the UK doing tourist stuff with a gun in your rental car are.

I have thought of that. I’m torn on it. It’s $65 per day which isn’t terrible but I like making memories with my firearms. I may use the guide gun to eliminate travel issues.


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[Reburn]

I have thought of that. I’m torn on it. It’s $65 per day which isn’t terrible but I like making memories with my firearms. I may use the guide gun to eliminate travel issues.


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If you are only hunting take your own if you like.
If you are planning on doing anything else even for one day rent.
We got over taking our own guns around the world if there is a decent rental option.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have thought of that. I’m torn on it. It’s $65 per day which isn’t terrible but I like making memories with my firearms. I may use the guide gun to eliminate travel issues.


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I 100% understand the dilemma. I also would rather use my own guns and fishing gear on guided trips.

 

[Macintosh]

Agree 100% Id rather have mine, but my impression is that dealing with guns in scotland is a royal nightmare with a capital N. We were driving around rural northern scotland a couple septembers ago, and in a small village stopped behind a vehicle at an intersection talking to a pedestrian. Truck had deer hooves sticking out the bed, so I pulled over to talk too. . They were pretty cautious talking to a tourist until they realized I just wanted to talk about hunting and check out the deer, and it turned into a 30 minute chat about cartridges, hunting regs, and gun laws in our respective country. Sounds like they need daily permission to buy and travel with ammo, arent allowed to sneeze without official notice, etc. guy had a pretty nice springer too. I cannot imagine that its any less of a hassle for a tourist.

Based on that convo id think if you were doing anything other than getting picked up and dropped off at the airport by the outfitter, that $65/day will seem cheap. I would talk to the outfitter and get a handle on whats involved based on your itinerary, and then decide

 

[AKDoc]

I have thought of that. I’m torn on it. It’s $65 per day which isn’t terrible but I like making memories with my firearms. I may use the guide gun to eliminate travel issues.


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When we went to Africa (Namibia) years ago, we flew through London Heathrow for a couple days on our way there and back. I wanted to bring my own rifle for the same reasons as you, but chose to make the trip much more simple and used the guide's rifle. I don't regret that decision at all...especially going through Heathrow. We enjoyed renting a truck after the hunt and drove through the desert to the coast...firearm free was the only way to do it.

BTW...Scotland is wonderful with really friendly people (so is Ireland). You are going to enjoy driving around and seeing the country-side.

 

[mattmann]

Thanks for all of the info everyone. I think I will just rent a firearm and enjoy hassle free travels. I took my rifle to South Africa and it was OK, but it is a big hassle at every single airport having to go to the firearm counter and wait on your gun and sign a new piece of paperwork. I’m sure Scotland would be no different. Probably worse if I had to guess. My wife is going with me and this will be her first international flight so I would hate to make it more of a inconvenience for her and a bad first experience. I will definitely want to see other parts of the country And not just Hunt so rental gun it is!


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