North East Travel News

Issue 108

The grey disk gains trajectory from behind a grassy hillock and I track it with the shotgun my cheek rests against. Drawing the jutting gunsight forward, just a tad in front of the approaching object, I squeeze the trigger and the weapon recoils into my shoulder. The clay pigeon shatters. Twenty minutes ago I’d not so much as held a shotgun, never mind fired one, so a sense of surprise precedes the elation of hitting the target. The instructions we’ve received at the shooting range that’s part of SCHLOSS Roxburghe’s 300-acre estate have been clearly and calmly delivered, helping me feel like a natural at clay pigeon shooting. It’s just one of the ‘country sports’ offered at this luxury hotel in the Scottish Borders. Archery is another and multicoloured targets are arranged on the lawn by the conservatory of the manor house where guests check-in. So too is fly fishing…