Scottish Clay Target Association

After a wee chat with Norrie the other day, I've put together a short appreciation of the shooting career of the late Michael (Mike) J Milne.

Because of Mike's huge breadth of achievements and individual triumphs across the spectrum of clay target disciplines I'm sure to miss something out in error, which I apologise for in advance.

I first came up against Mike in shooting at Kildrummy gun club in October 1986. It was a small re entry 30 target sporting shoot, I spent far too much on re entry trying to catch him. I still have the runner up trophy in the house somewhere. I should have known better.

Mike first shot in the DTL team in 1985 at the Kippen international. All in Mike had @ 22 DTL international caps.

DTL was his main discipline but not his only one.

Mike won the Scottish DTL championship in 1999, 2001, 2008. The Tom Sim trophy in 1993, 2014. Plus Scottish single barrel in 1994, 2012.

He became the British DTL champion in 1998 at Bywell. The weekend also included winning Scottish high gun over the two days and overall high gun over the two days. International match and British open combined.

He also won the first Krieghoff DTL shoot in Wales in 1999.

In 2000 Tommy Allen, Gerard Mccoy, John Stafford, Robert Ward and Mike won the Dewar shield for the five man team competition at the English open DTL weekend. In 2001 they successfully defended the trophy.

Mike has also won the Subaru/Browning trophy at the English DTL weekend and at one time the much coveted Dougall memorial competition.

I notice that Mike won European DTL super vets at one point and in 2019 wiped out the super vets awards at the DTL international including the super vets captain's trophy.

Mike shot 100/300s well into his mid to late sixties. Including one at GSG in 2016. I strongly suspect that he shot more 100/300s at Loch Ness/GSG (or Inverness as he called it) than anyone. Last time I was speaking with him at GSG I asked him how many 100/300s he had shot in his career. No bloody idea, was the reply. It was a lot though.

Mike represented Scotland at Skeet, ABT, OT and Sporting as well as his beloved DTL. I believe he was R/U high gun at the skeet international in Ireland.

He represented Scotland at the CSF euro division and Shot OT in Europe. He shot ATA in the USA and competed in the 100th Grand American.

Mike also did a stint on the SCTA board.

Not only could a reasoned argument be made supporting the view that Mike Milne was Scotland's greatest ever DTL shooter, a case could be made that he was also our greatest multi discipline shooter.

Mike was a man who could divide opinion and held strong views, but was one hell of a tough and ruthless competitor.

Across the clay target disciplines I'm not sure we will see his equal again.

WJL

Chair GSG.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

ICTSC Home International Update

During an ICTSC meeting in 2019, it was requested that all Associations hosting a Home International should have a defibrillator available at events, taking this idea forward the SCTA has purchased a number of defibrillators which can now be found at the following grounds:

• Armadale GC
• Auchterhouse CS
• Auldgirth Shooting Ground
• Cairndow Clay Target Club
• County Clays
• Glenmoriston SG
• Harris Gun Club
• Highland Deephaven CPC
• Highland SC
• Kippen GC
• Lindertis Wood SG
• Morton Clay Targets
• Orkney Clay Pigeon Club
• Scottish Clay Shooting Centre
• Shetland Clay Target Club
• Strathyre GC
• North Ayrshire SG

ALL SHOOTS REMAIN CANCELLED FOR APRIL

The situation continues to be reviewed on a monthly basis and following any update from the Scottish Government, and and any changes will be communicated as quickly as possible

12 March Update

Latest Guidance

STS Announcement following the First Minister's statement on 9 Mar

The First Minister provided an update on 9 March 2021 to the Scottish Parliament on COVID-19 and related restrictions. STS has summarised the statement, setting out key changes to permitted outdoor sport and exercise that will come into effect from Friday 12 March 2021.

The First Minister also noted that she will set out a clearer timetable for exiting lockdown next week, including an updated level system due to come into effect later in April.

The key changes for outdoor sport and exercise in level 4 areas are:

• Outdoor Gatherings – Adults 18 and Over

The maximum numbers for socialising outdoors will increase to 4 adults from 2 households. This applies to social and recreational purposes as well as for exercise.

• Outdoor Gatherings – 12 to 17 Year Olds

The maximum numbers for socialising outdoors will be 4 individuals from 4 households. This applies to social and recreational purposes as well as for exercise.

• Outdoor Sport & Group Exercise – 12 and Over

Up to 15 people can take part in outdoor non-contact sport and organised group exercise. (Note: Guidance already permits this for under 12s.)

• Travel Restrictions

People should stay as close to home as possible, in line with current travel restrictions, however some flexibility will be given to under 18s to travel across local authority boundaries to take part in sport. Further clarity on this will be provided when it is available.

STS will continue to work with colleagues in sportscotland and Scottish Government on the specific details directly relating to target shooting and will communicate this to our members when more details are released.

STS will also continue to work with our friends in other Scottish governing bodies through the SGB CEO Forum to communicate the impact COVID-19 has had on Scottish sport and push for support to help our grassroots clubs recover. A joint statement on this was published by STS last week and can be found here

13th January 2021 Update

Latest Regional Guidance

A note from Norrie