FORRES SMALLBORE RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB LAUNCHES £100,000 CAMPAIGN FOR NEW RANGE AND CLUBHOUSE

Forres Smallbore Rifle and Pistol Club (FSRPC), a historic sports club with a 112year legacy based in Forres, northeast of Inverness, has launched a fundraising campaign to secure £100,000 to build a new shooting range and clubhouse.

The club, located at Pilmuir Road West, has been operating from a Second World War building since 1959. However, the facility suffered a major setback in 2009 when a heavy snowfall caused a large section of the roof to collapse. Despite temporary repairs, the club now needs a new facility to ensure the future of its shooting activities.

Club secretary Iain Scott explained the urgency of the project on the club’s GoFundMe page: “We’ve always punched above our weight and achieved amazing things, but the reality is that our current building is no longer fit for purpose. We urgently need to raise £100,000 to build a modern range and clubhouse that will serve our members for generations to come.”

He added: “Our members, past and present, are passionate about keeping this club going and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to learn marksmanship skills in a safe and welcoming environment. We’re calling on the community, businesses, and shooting enthusiasts to help us make this dream a reality.”

FSRPC recently used an £11,464 grant from the Berry Burn Wind Farm Community Fund to purchase new electronic scoring targets, which have modernised the club’s training practices. However, Iain highlighted that while this investment has brought the range into the 21st century, the building itself remains the primary challenge.

“The new electronic targets are a massive boost for training, especially since most competitions now use them,” he said. “But without a safe, modern building, our ability to continue offering these opportunities is at risk.”

FSRPC has a proud history dating back to 1913 and has supported competitive shooting for over a century. The club has produced notable athletes, including Mhairi Spence, who represented the UK in Pentathlon at the London 2012 Olympics, and Aedan Evans, who competed in Air Pistol for Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Gun Trade Insider urges the trade to support this historic Scottish club’s efforts to secure its future. Losing such a vital facility would be a significant blow to grassroots shooting in the UK. Any contribution, big or small, will help keep this important community resource alive.

To support the fundraising efforts or donate, visit the club’s GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/f/forres-smallborerifle-and-pistol-club