As the costs of game shooting fluctuate, more people are turning to alternative fieldsport opportunities that offer equal excitement and fulfilment. Country Sport Scotland recently joined Scott A Cruickshank and his team at SAC Sporting for an inspiring three-day event aimed at welcoming more women into the world of fieldsports but also giving them the opportunity to experience a side of fieldsports that most people are less accustomed to. Set in the beautiful rolling agricultural fields of Aberdeenshire, the S.A.C Sporting Ladies event provided an introduction to goose and duck shooting, attracting guests from across the UK and even abroad.
Scott’s deep passion for field craft was evident throughout the experience. From teaching participants the art of building hides and understanding the wind’s impact on success to the subtle art of decoying. Scott shared the essential skills required when working with a wild quarry like Pinkfoot Geese and Wigeon. His expertise ensured that guests gained both practical knowledge and a profound appreciation for the nuances of the sport. Participants were also treated to a hands-on demonstration as Scott showcased the skills needed to prepare game, offering invaluable advice on turning this amazing wild food into unforgettable meals. As we celebrate Great British Game Week, it served as a powerful reminder of how fieldsports connect us to the land, the wildlife, and the food that sustains us.
Events like these are invaluable for building confidence, a strong sense of community and a lasting passion for fieldsports. Guests stayed at the charming Saplinbrae Hotel & Lodges, where the bonds formed in the field continued into the evenings, making this an unforgettable journey for all involved.
Scott A Cruickshank founded S.A.C Sporting in 2001. He said.
“I started S.A.C Sporting Ladies to get more women into our sport, our hobby and our way of life. The opportunity of wildfowling is very hard to get into for them, so I have thought about how and what I can do to get more involved. So now I offer trips for geese and ducks, decoying pigeons, and setting up hides etc., We also take guests Roe stalking and I have a few more things in the planning as well. They all get involved in breasting the birds, butchering their own quarries to take home and enjoy.”
Scott says there is a huge gap in the market for trips like these and that the industry needs to do more to inspire and sustain our sport for future generations.
Abbie Wilson, a key organiser of the event, is a passionate advocate for encouraging more women to participate in shooting. Her enthusiasm for the sport and commitment to fostering an inclusive environment were felt by all who attended. She was joined by her Labrador, Gunner, who impressed the guests with his great retrieving skills.
Abbie said.
“We brought together ladies from all different levels within their shooting journey to join us in Aberdeenshire. Being able to bring more ladies into the shooting world is great, especially when you have facilities like S.A.C Sporting who are also providing accommodation at Saplinebrae making the shooting trip very comfortable. The trip was very hands-on with the ladies having to set up their hides for the day and also laying out the decoys which made them appreciate the work that goes into maybe having the chance to bring home a goose at the end of the day. They then would be shown how to butcher to be able to take the meat home and prepare dishes they’d never tried before. Having the ladies attend the trip and using social media to share their experiences brings a lot more attention to other ladies. Not only are you making friends for life, but you’re also coming away with skills and knowledge of where your food comes from and how to provide it yourself. We hope that doing more of these trips, whether it be deerstalking, pigeon shooting or geese will bring more ladies out into the field and enjoy the experience and leave with memories which may then lead to more joining in as it can be hard knowing where to start.”
The event was a fantastic experience, and we want to extend our thanks to Scott and the team for inviting Country Sport Scotland to be part of it. It was an inspiring few days, and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future. If you’re curious to learn more about the sporting opportunities that S.A.C Sporting offers, be sure to visit our website for more details and feel free to get in touch to discuss how you can be part of their next experience.
