What is Highland Bowhunters?
We are a small friendly archery club that shoots outdoors at a course near Nairn where we have practise targets, animal faces and some 3Ds to shoot at. We also have a 14 target course in natural woodland.
We welcome experienced archers to join us, as well as complete beginners who are able to undertake lessons with Bowhunter Archery, they will also hire equipment.
We also have a junior club operating on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11am, (who must have an adult there during session, tea/coffee available). Inexperienced juniors are required to attend a 6 week beginners course and then join the club as a member to ensure Insurance cover. (prices on application). The club Coach Sandra Shillabeer and her team of approved PVG registered helpers hold these session regularly.
Regular Events
We organize fun shoots for members to take part in, and have a regular Sunday morning meets. Members are able to shoot most times out with Sunday morning, but a phone call is advised during winter months to ensure course is open. During the summer months we hold a Wednesday evening session from 6pm to dusk. We also organize open shoots where we invite archers from other clubs to take part, a small fee is levied with medals being presented.
We begin our 2023 Handicap shoot in October. This will be held over 6 months all competing archers must shoot 4 months to qualify plus the final in March 2024 (elegant trophy to get your name on for the year plus 2nd and 3rd place medals). We are also registered with the BA Postal League shooting against 5 other clubs throughout the UK over 5 months, achievement badges are available to purchase as scores improve. We also have a Course Competition for members from April to September again run on similar rules to the Handicap. We also hold a couple of Clout Shoots during summer (subject to field being available).
Current Information
Please see our Facebook Page for the latest Club information and updates.
Membership Information & Related Costs
Adult Membership (age 18+)
£50 for 2023 Second adult from same household £25 for the year.
Junior Membership* (age 8-17)
£25 for 2023 Second junior from same house hold £15 for the year.
*All Junior members must be accompanied by an adult (over 18) at ALL times.
We now have a family membership of £120 per year
The other fees involved are:
Hire of equipment @ £2.50 p/p for up to 2 hours (via Bowhunter Archery)
Occasionally competitions may require a small entry fee, these competitions are advised beforehand and are not obligatory. Medals are awarded
Members Facilities Include:
Short Range Practice, Long Range Practice, Unmarked Distance Field Animals, Marked Distance Field Animals, Any 3D target is dependent on bow poundage and current usage.
We are accessible in some areas to chair users and restricted mobility.
Tea/Coffee are available (donation box).
Our Field Course
The FIELD course set in natural woodland consisting of 14 distances (some targets double up i.e. 20 yd and 15 yd) range from 30feet (Bunny) to 80 yds. We welcome experienced archers who would like to shoot our course, all archers must be accompanied first time by a member who has shot the course for safety reasons. 20yd practise area with 6 butts, When not being used by Bowhunter Archery we have the use of Animal face targets. Facilities are available via Bowhunter Archery for Adult beginners courses (when available) and equipment hire for visiting archers.
Bowhunter Archery
Bowhunter Archery was set up by Andy and Liz MacKinnon to provide a facility for folk wanting to try archery, which is still available to anyone especially any person wanting to take up archery as a sport and considering joining our club. All archers (even experienced) must be vetted before being accepted as a member for safety concerns.
Several archers had began to use Bowhunter Archery facilities who wanted to shoot socially without the pressure of major competitions/etc. From this the club was formed in 2017 and has progressed from strength to strength since then using the facilities at Bowhunter Archery.
Located just 10 miles East of Inverness on the B9092, IV2 7QX. Bowhunter Archery is the only dedicated Outdoor Field Archery Centre in the Highlands that welcomes Visitors of all Archery Abilities. Each session is led by our friendly team of Archery GB Instructors and includes full instruction and equipment. We are open all year round from Sun Up to Sun Down so all you need to decide is what session you would like to try and contact us to book your date and time.