Wildfowling
Driven and walked-up snipe
A rare day’s sport
North Uist is one of very few places in Europe where you can shoot driven and walked-up snipe on the same ground.
Each morning opens with a goose flight from hides across the island, with resident greylags the main quarry, followed by breakfast.
Snipe and wildfowling weeks run from 1 September to 15 November, and woodcock weeks from 16 November to 31 January. Shooting is let Monday to Friday, to parties of five guns, and you’re welcome to bring your own working dogs. Accommodation isn’t included; most parties stay at Langass Lodge or Lochmaddy Hotel, which both have drying rooms and gun storage. Bring non-lead cartridges: Scots law bans lead shot over wetlands, and much of the ground here is marsh, loch shore and wet moor.
Seasons & booking
Five-day parties, Monday to Friday
Snipe & wildfowling
Every morning
A goose flight: resident greylags are the main quarry, from hides across the island
By day
Snipe and other species; snipe are mainly driven on croft machair
Evenings
Two duck flights in the week
Five days, 1 September to 15 November.
Woodcock
One day in the woods
Woodcock driven in the Estate woodlands
Four days on the moor
Walked up at moorland spots, some reached by boat
Bag limit
Five birds per gun a day, walked up over dogs
Five days, 16 November to 31 January.
Days are let to parties of five guns. For prices and availability, send an enquiry or call the Estate Office on 01876 500329. A 50% non-refundable deposit confirms a booking; the balance is due 60 days before arrival. You’ll sign the Estate’s terms for your sport when you book.
Your Head Gamekeeper
The Head Gamekeeper meets your party on the evening you arrive to explain the next day, then meets you each morning and runs the shooting all week. If they judge the weather too dangerous to shoot, their decision is final.
Guns and cartridges
If you have your own guns, please bring them with you to the island. The Estate has only four 12-bores and three 20-bores to hire by the day. Tell us in advance and cartridges can be ready for you, paid for at the end of the week.
Getting about
Expect a fair amount of driving each day, so bring enough transport for the whole party. Car hire on the island should be booked ahead.
Wild shooting
Bags vary with the weather, the season and much else outside anyone's control. The sport can be spectacular, but guns used only to reared birds should come with realistic expectations.
Game
All game stays the property of the Estate, though guests can arrange to take some home.
Party size and shorter lets
Additional guns, when agreed, are charged pro rata, and shorter lets can be arranged with the Estate Factor. Anyone coming along who isn't shooting pays a daily charge.
Non-shooting members
In a party of more than five, anyone who doesn't want to shoot can fish for sea trout in September and October, or stalk hinds from 21 October to 31 January, booked in advance on their own terms.
If a ban is imposed
If shooting is cancelled by a government-imposed wildfowling ban, your deposit is carried forward to a booking the following year.
Morning flight
Dawn in the goose hide
Every morning of the week starts in a hide before first light, waiting for the greylags to lift off the loch. Here’s a feel for it, and for the judgement that comes with it.
Every rule in the game comes from the Estate’s own safety rules for the shoot. Break one and the keeper stops the flight, just as they would on the day.
The rules of the hide
Tap a goose to shoot. Two barrels, then break the gun and reload.
Geese only. Leave the white swans alone: they're protected.
Close birds only. Small, high skeins are past 30 metres. Let them go.
Nothing low. Keep well above the far shore: there's a dog and another gun out there.
Whistle means unload. It flashes up when the flight ends: no shots after it. A dangerous shot stops the flight.
Information & safety
Safety on the shoot
The Estate gamekeeper runs every shooting day, and their word is final. Each morning starts with a briefing on the drives, the hazards and the signals for “stop shooting” and the end of a drive, and the experience of every gun is checked, especially newcomers and late substitutes. A dangerous shot stops the drive, and can end the day for the gun or the whole party. This is a summary of the Estate’s Information & Safety Rules: everyone in your party should read the full copy, from the Estate Office.
The rules of the line
- Always follow the gamekeeper’s instructions
- Keep your gun unloaded except during a drive, with the safety catch on until you mount
- Load only once a drive has started, unload as soon as it ends, and never shoot between drives
- Never point a gun, loaded or unloaded, at anyone
- Never swing through the line
- Don’t shoot low in front when beaters are nearing the line: shot carries 300 metres
- Stay where you’re placed, and keep your position when walking up in line
- Know where the other guns, beaters and dogs are
- Check your barrels for obstructions before each drive
- Unload before crossing a fence or ditch, or passing your gun to anyone
- Sleeve your gun between drives
- Keep calm: you’ll let plenty of birds go by without firing
If you’re wearing ear defenders, make sure you can still hear or see the gamekeeper. Snipe jink and swoop: take special care not to swing through the line, and know what’s behind your bird.
Recommended shot sizes
Geese Normal maximum range 30 metres; BB for experienced guns where suitable | 1–3 |
Duck | 4 |
Woodcock | 6–8 |
Snipe | 7–8 |
Non-lead only over wetlands. Learn to tell quarry from protected species, and judge range: make every effort to avoid wounding and to retrieve every bird.
Croft land
Much of the shooting is on croft land, by kind permission of the crofters. Use gates and stiles, respect their property and livestock, and pick up your empty cartridges. Many snipe bogs lie near houses, so take extra care over your background.
Boats
In the woodcock season you may cross by boat to the Lees, Eaval or Ronay. If you have your own lifejacket, please bring it, as the Estate only has a limited number. Without one of your own, you must wear one the Estate provides.
Licences & insurance
Bring a valid shotgun certificate (or Visitor Firearm Permit) and make sure you're covered for third-party risks: the Estate provides personal liability insurance, but insure your own guns and kit. Keep guns and cartridges out of sight in a locked vehicle, and store guns in the hotel gun cabinet overnight.
Fitness
Wild shooting demands a fair level of fitness. Tell the Head Gamekeeper about any medical condition: anyone judged unfit to take part can be excluded.
Bring your own if you can
Your wildfowling packing list
Limited shotgun hire
The Estate has four 12-bore and three 20-bore shotguns to hire by the day, and can have cartridges ready if you tell us in advance. Numbers are limited, so let us know when you enquire and we’ll hold one for you if we can.
Ask about shotgun hireBringing your own
If you have your own shotgun, please bring it with you to the island: the Estate only has a limited number to hire. Overseas guests may need a Visitor Firearm Permit: the Estate can apply for you with at least two months' notice.
Footwear
- Waterproof wellingtons or neoprene boots with a good grip for marsh and wet moor
- Thigh waders for loch-shore and goose flights
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket and trousers in muted colours
- Warm layers: dawn flights and late-season days are cold
- Hat and gloves
Accessories
- Non-lead cartridges: lead shot is banned over wetlands in Scotland. Sizes 7–8 for snipe, 6–8 for woodcock, 4 for duck, 1–3 for geese
- Ear defenders and shooting glasses
- Cartridge bag or belt, gun slip and game bag
- Shotgun certificate or Visitor Firearm Permit, if bringing your own gun
- Insurance for your own guns and kit (the Estate provides personal liability cover)
- Your own lifejacket for woodcock boat crossings, if you have one: the Estate only has a limited number
- Head torch for dawn and dusk flights
- Whistle, lead and towel if you're bringing a dog
FAQs
Wildfowling on North Uist: FAQs
Straight answers to what visitors ask us most. Open any question for the detail.
All questions about the EstateWhat's the difference between driven and walked-up snipe shooting?
In driven snipe shooting, beaters and dogs move birds over standing guns. In walked-up shooting, the guns walk the moor and machair themselves and flush birds as they go. North Uist is one of very few places in Europe offering both on the same ground.
When is the wildfowling season on North Uist?
Snipe and wildfowling weeks run from 1 September to 15 November, and woodcock weeks from 16 November to 31 January.
How is wildfowling let, and what does it cost?
Wildfowling is let as five-day parties, Monday to Friday, for five guns: snipe and wildfowling weeks from 1 September to 15 November, with a goose flight each morning and two evening duck flights, and woodcock weeks from 16 November to 31 January. The Estate Office quotes prices and availability directly; send an enquiry or call 01876 500329. See how wildfowling is let.
What do I need to shoot on North Uist Estate?
A valid shotgun certificate, or a Visitor Firearm Permit for overseas guests, and cover for third-party risks: the Estate provides personal liability insurance, but you insure your own guns and kit. Guns should be reasonably fit; tell the gamekeeper about any medical condition. Guns are kept in the hotel gun cabinet overnight, and the gamekeeper briefs every party on the safety rules at the start of the day. See safety on the shoot.
What shot size should I use for snipe, woodcock and geese?
The Estate recommends sizes 7 to 8 for snipe, 6 to 8 for woodcock, 4 for duck and 1 to 3 for geese, at a normal maximum range of 30 metres; experienced guns may use BB for geese where suitable. Cartridges must be non-lead over wetlands. See safety on the shoot.
Can I bring my own dog?
Yes, and guests are encouraged to. A working dog that knows its handler suits the moor and machair, though you don't need one to shoot.
What deposit is needed to confirm a booking?
Stalking and wildfowling bookings are confirmed with a 50% non-refundable deposit, with the balance due 60 days before arrival. Fishing is booked by the day through the daily roster at Lochmaddy Hotel: there are no refunds for days lost to weather, and if you need to cancel for any other reason, tell the hotel as early as you can so your beat can be given out again.
Still have a question?
The Estate Office replies within one working day. Call, or email info@northuistestate.co.uk.
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