Visitor’s permit duration

I am inviting a friend who lives in Belgium to shoot with me this winter and also to join me for grouse in Scotland next August. I was under the impression that I could apply for a visitor’s shotgun permit for my guest that would last for a year, but I have heard that the police will no longer do this. Can you advise?

A visitor’s permit may lawfully be valid for up to 12 months, so in theory separate permits should not be necessary. It is true that the police are now much more reluctant than they once were to offer extended visitor permits, and in most cases they will issue a permit only for the duration of a particular visit. However, where multiple visits are planned, they can extend the period of validity.

I suggest you explain all the circumstances to your firearms licensing department when you make your application and provide them with whatever evidence you can of repeat visits, such as hotel or travel bookings, or confirmation letters from the estates where you will be shooting. GD

Building a hide in advance is ideal if you plan to shoot in the same area over a long period INTERNATIONAL SHOOTING