I'd love to hunt stag in Scotland and, perhaps, some birds. I've got a Westley Richards 303 Double rifle and Droplock shotgun, both made around 1900.

It would be great to take them on a visit to "The Old Country". Is this possible.

regards

mike

Easily! Contact Richard Whiteley rw@gunrunner.cc he will help you organize everything.

Mike,
I also have always wanted to hunt Stag in the Scotish highlands and have wondered if it would be hard or not to get a rifle into the UK.
cheers
Adam

Adam & Mike,

When using a reputable outfitter in Scotland I have never had an issue with bringing rifles &/or shotguns with me. They can provide the correct paperwork (naturally arranged in far enough in advance) and despite the general "Doomsday" firearms attitude & general hype in the UK it is very doable.

Your Westley Richards rifle & shotgun sound like the perfect companions for a trip to the Highlands!

aussie mike
there is no problem to bring a rifle to hunt,your host this sidevwill apply for a visitors permit for you,and forward this to you
regards scirroco
p.m me if you need any help/info

Hi Guys,

Drop Rick a line on the Rifle imports. It isn't particularly expensive and he'll arrange for you to be picked up and takent to your connecting airport on the way upto Scotland.

He's in Wyoming at the moment but should be back in a week or two. He'll probably be able to arrange your hunt for you at a good rate too.

Rgds,
FB

Mike,hope you enjoy your visit to scotland. Good advice given in this forum. You can bring your equipment into the UK, follow advice given, get your host obtain a visitors permit for you. I believe you will have to forward your Aussie Firearms Certificate to him to achieve this - ggod luck!

Mike, it is possible to bring your guns into the UK. Good advice given in this forum.Your host can apply for a visitors permit for you. I believe that you will have to forward him your Aussie Firearms Certificate to achieve this. Good luck - and enjoy your shootng!

Mike/Adam,

As already suggested, your "host" in the UK can easily arrange a vistor firearm permit although its probably wise to start the process a couple of months in advance. As this is done via the local Police force in the area you intend to hunt, their efficiency ect can vary somewhat and also the exact procedures you need to follow may well vary too.

When we talk about "host" thats generally the people you are hunting with. Usually it will be something like a commercial sporting estate in Scotland, but equally it could be British buddy who has invited you over to share a bit of stalking..

If you intend to break your trip and spend a few days sightseeing in London, or if you fly into London Heathrow, but fly up to Scotland from London Gatwick, you will need the services of somebody like Rick who I think is what is termed a "Bonded Courier"

If however you fly into London Heathrow and then out on a transfer flight up to Scotland, with your bags and firearms checked through to the final destination, you have no problems and don't need the additional services of a Bonded Courier providing your host as arranged the visitors permit ahead of time..

The other thing you have to consider is whether the firearm you intend to bring over is "deer legal" in the UK and that varies slight between Scotland and England/Wales...

In Scotland, to be deer legal for any species except Roe, the rifle must fire a bullet with a mimimum weight of 100 grains and must have a muzzle engery of at least 1750foot/lbs..for Roe it must have a 50grain bullet and 1000foot/lbs.

Practicaly that translates to a minimum of a .222Rem for Roe only in Scotland and a minimum of a .243 for everything else...

Your host will also need to buy you a Game License, but this is available over the counter in most Post Offices and only costs a few ££ and can be bought on the day so to speak...

Regards,

Pete

Thanks everyone. I'll start looking at Estates etc.

mike

quote:

Originally posted by Pete E:
If however you fly into London Heathrow and then out on a transfer flight up to Scotland, with your bags and firearms checked through to the final destination, you have no problems and don't need the additional services of a Bonded Courier providing your host as arranged the visitors permit ahead of time..

Wouldn't international luggage need to clear customs in the international airport? Just a query.

quote:

Originally posted by AussieMike:
Thanks everyone. I'll start looking at Estates etc.

mike

Mike

If you don't mind sharing your findings, it would be greatly appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:
Adam & Mike,

When using a reputable outfitter in Scotland I have never had an issue with bringing rifles &/or shotguns with me. They can provide the correct paperwork (naturally arranged in far enough in advance) and despite the general "Doomsday" firearms attitude & general hype in the UK it is very doable.

Your Westley Richards rifle & shotgun sound like the perfect companions for a trip to the Highlands!

I would totally agree with Gerry. Bringing guns into the UK and then driving around with them is no big deal.

Nitrox,

If you are referring to the trip upto Scotland then they are classed as internal and Heathrow would be port of entry. so the permits would be needed at heathrow.

Regards,
FB

Nitro, FB,

I think it depends how you book your tickets originally...If the flight is booked say Sidney to Aberdeen with a change of planes in London Heathrow, you would clear customs at Aberdeen Airport and the bags and rifle ect would be checked through to that point...

If you "break" the journey at London Heathrow and you end up going through customs at that point, then yes thats when you would need the permit or the services of a bonded courier...

Thats how I understand it anyway...

regards,

Pete

The other thing to check is that if you book your flights and are on different airlines for London to scotland the airline needs to be able to carry firearms. A lot of budget airlines go up there and are popular but some wont allow rifles.

The other thing is that because the domestic terminal and international terminal are seperate then you may still need to clear the guns at port of entry regardless of final destination. Checking through is not always an option, so be sure to check it.

Incidentally, I have always found BA flawless when travelling with guns.

Rgds,
FB