Country Sport Scotland is proud to announce the inaugural Scottish Country Sports Tourism Conference, set to take place on Friday, 2nd May 2025, at Blair Castle, Perthshire. GET TICKETS
This flagship event will bring together estates, sporting providers, tourism businesses, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of Scotland’s thriving country sports tourism industry.
The conference will provide a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration, offering expert-led keynotes, industry discussions, and hands-on workshops tailored to those involved in Scotland’s country sports tourism sector.
With Scotland being a world-renowned destination for activities such as deer stalking, fishing, and game shooting, the event aims to strengthen and promote the economic and cultural significance of country sports tourism.
As the leading resource for country sports tourism in Scotland, Country Sport Scotland connects visitors with world-class sporting experiences, from deer stalking in the Highlands to goose-shooting along Scotland’s coasts, driven game shooting on renowned estates, and exceptional fly fishing on Scotland’s famous rivers.
As highlighted in the Value of Shooting report, the sector contributes £340 million in direct value and £760 million in total impact annually to Scottish economy, generating 270,000 trips and 910,000 visitor nights while supporting 4,400 full-time equivalent jobs. Shooting alone provides an additional £177 million in environmental, health, and food-related benefits in Scotland.
With strong demand from the UK, Europe, and North America, the sector has significant growth potential, particularly in high-end markets. To ensure Scotland fully capitalises on these opportunities, the conference will also explore ways to position the country as a world-class destination for fieldsports.
The conference will feature keynote speeches from industry leaders, panel discussions on current challenges and opportunities, and afternoon breakout sessions covering key topics such as marketing strategies and business development.
This event is organised by Country Sport Scotland (owned and operated by Scotland’s largest shooting and conservation organisation, the British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC)), as part of its mission to support and promote Scotland’s country sports sector.
Kirk Norbury, Project Manager of Country Sport Scotland said:
“This is a significant step forward for Scotland’s country sports tourism sector. Our industry plays a crucial role in supporting rural economies, attracting international visitors, and preserving Scotland’s sporting history.
“By bringing together experts, businesses, and providers, we can ensure that country sports tourism remains a sustainable and thriving part of Scotland’s visitor economy.”
Peter Clark, Scotland Director of BASC said:
“Scotland showcases the very best of sporting tourism, with a worldwide reputation of warm hospitality and the very best of experiences.
“BASC was delighted to take on board Country Sport Scotland last year, and we have seen this organisation go from strength to strength since this acquisition.
“This inaugural conference will bring the brightest and the best in the sector to champion a way forward for Scotland’s world-renowned sporting sector”.
