Auchterhouse Country Sports is one of the premier clay shooting ranges in Scotland, popular with shooters of all abilities and disciplines and home to senior instructor, Drew Christie, who represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and winning a Silver medal in Glasgow. The Christie family have farmed at Burnhead Farm in Angus since 1961 and when the time came to sell, it was decided to keep the clay shoot plus 90 acres, which became Auchterhouse Country Sports. The ground hosts novice to international competitors and hosts its own competitions ranging from informal Ladies Days to Home Internationals.
Auchterhouse is a small, family-run business operating a sporting ground, archery and a café. Clay shooting has been part of the family since the site opened, with 2 generations representing Scotland over the years. The business has endured tumultuous periods including the financial crash, the rollback of corporate business from the oil and gas industry and the very real difficulties caused by Covid. However, it was during the pandemic that the real value of Auchterhouse shone through. Classed like golf courses, the club operated after the initial 6-week national lockdown. For members of the community this became a lifeline for their mental health, offering a respite from isolation and providing activities to break up the weeks. This contribution beyond a sporting provision is the foundation of Auchterhouse which, despite its small size, has raised millions of pounds for charity over the last 25 years. The Shoot Charitable Trust and its annual Auchterfest Ladies Day fundraises and supports local causes and charities close to the family’s heart. With excellent instruction and a warm welcome, Auchterhouse introduces newcomers to shooting every week. With so many sporting estates across Angus, Perthshire and Fife, Auchterhouse Country Sports provides an invaluable service sustaining the countrysports industry.
Auchterhouse have actively encouraged growth of the shooting community, making the sport accessible to all abilities, and using the talent of its skilled and motivational instructors. Auchterhouse provides a superb introduction to shooting with novices being looked after alongside seasoned shots and those competing at the highest levels. The family recognises that their close support of one another has been key to the success of the business. By working together and sharing their joy of shooting, the family has helped grow the shooting community and countrysports industry. The site was voted the ‘Nation’s Favourite Shooting Ground’ in 2020, adding to the catalogue of awards received over the years.