‘Common sense must prevail’

SPORTING agent and BASC Council member Cara Richardson, who organises trips to Scotland for German deer stalkers, said the introduction of an “unnecessary barrier” by Lufthansa “is a serious detriment to Scotland’s iconic status as a field sports destination”.

Richardson said there is a “certain kudos” associated with shooting in Scotland. “Be it our unique driven and walked-up grouse shooting, traditional open hill red stag stalk or winkling a salmon from a Highland river, each year, foreign visitors arrive in their thousands,” she said.

“These visitors come by various means; the Channel Tunnel, ferry or by aeroplane.

“As with any pastime, an amount of kit is required. Some travellers choose to bring their own firearms and have, generally, done so unhampered. This appears to no longer be the case.”

Richardson said she first became aware of the issue last year when three clients were attempting to fly from Germany to Aberdeen on a Lufthansa flight.

“They had the necessary paperwork and had checked in their luggage and three shotguns in metal travel cases, and they had no cartridges. While in the departure lounge, they were called forward over the public address system and told they could not travel due to an embargo in Scotland on the import of firearms.

“These guys lived three hours’ drive from the German airport. They had to retreat home to secure their shotguns then travel back the next day.

“Repeats of this tale and similar have occurred in the last few weeks as the sporting seasons come into full swing.”

She now fears other airlines will now follow suit, potentially having a “catastrophic” effect on the field sports tourism industry.

“For the sake of Scotland’s status as an iconic field sports destination, we hope common sense will prevail.”