A pair of Perthshire schoolboys are aiming for world glory in the sport of clay pigeon shooting.
Ben Addison-Scott and Alasdair Lightbody have qualified for the World Clay Pigeon Championship next month after a series of strong performances at the British Schools & Young Shot Championships and Cluny Clays.
The 18-year-olds, who are both Upper Sixth pupils at Strathallan school, will travel to High Wycome as part of the Scotland Under 21 team.
During last month’s British Schools and Young Shot Clay Championship in Bedfordshire, Strathallan’s A Team finished second out of 13 schools, only beaten by Millfield.
As the only school in Scotland with clay shooting facilities, Strathallan were the sole representatives from north of the border. A score of 211/300 secured them the runners up position and one pupil, Keir Hail-Brown came second in the individual High Gun with a score of 41/50.
Ben and Alasdair will now be led to the World Championships by an external coach Eddy Buchan, a champion clay pigeon shooter and the youngest certified clay coach in Scotland.
The boys will also be supported by their teacher, Strathallan Clay Coach Paul Vallot.
Paul said: “This group of pupils competing at the Schools Championships have shown a great deal of dedication as well as natural talent.
“As a teacher, I am delighted to see them perform as well as they can at such a high level. Some of our younger pupils in particular have been shooting extraordinarily well and I have seen them come out of their shell and build their confidence through the sport.
“It’s one of the reasons you become a teacher, to see the kids achieve success like this.
“It has been fantastic welcoming Eddy into the team too. I am a biology teacher by day, and not the best shot, so it has been hugely beneficial having a coach of Eddy’s calibre spend time with the pupils, particularly Alasdair and Ben ahead of the World Championships next month.
“Alasdair and Ben have both shot consistently well this year which has enabled them to be selected. We wish them the very best for the World Championships.”
