Chairmans Blog


January 25th

Why oh why is Scotland the only country in the UK to still have the ban on tail docking of working dogs?

December 20th

Just back in from ferreting a plantation of young larch and scots pine trees. I am soaked to the skin and frozen. My daughter is visiting us with her boyfriend and I thought it would be a good chance for him to see some different animal tracks in the snow.

December 9th

I am not a happy chappy. I was cutting old rabbit fences away this morning and my ear is bleeding profusely. I detest that high tensile wire; when you cut it with the wire cutters it goes off like a coiled spring. It felt like I had been shot in the ear.

How to join

                      SGA member - Roy Summers

Most of Scotland’s professional gamekeepers and stalkers are already fully paid-up members of the SGA. But you don’t need to be a full-time gamekeeper in order to join – just a supporter of the fundamental principles of the organisation. Many field sports supporters, landowners, country people and shooting syndicates are members of the SGA.

So if you too want to promote the work that keepers, stalkers, ghillies and rangers do for the good of the Scottish countryside, help protect country sports and our rural economy, support the development of best practice and assist in educating the wider public on the benefits of our work, you can do so by joining us today.

Membership categories include:

  • Gamekeeper - available to all full & part-time keepers, stalkers, ghillies and related professions. Membership also includes a firearms insurance policy, covering legal expenses for help with firearms licensing and revocation issues, and insurance cover for public liability to others for up to £10 million. £35 per annum
  • Full member - available to all who participate in country sports and who support the SGA's aims. Membership includes insurance cover for public liability to others for up to £10 million. £35 per annum
  • Syndicate member - Syndicates of 6 guns or more will receive individual membership as a Full member. £30 per annum
  • Supporter - For those who support the SGA's aims and who already have insurance cover in place. £20 per annum
  • Student - available to those studying for a recognised gamekeeping or rural land management course at colleges. Student members will enjoy insurance cover for public liability to others for up to £10 million. £20 per annum
  • Life member - by special application, a one-off payment of £500 gains Life membership.
  • Visitor - we are able to offer third party public liability insurance cover for up to £10 million to those visiting the UK to enjoy country sports. £10 per day
  • Corporate member - for companies who wish to support the aims of the SGA as well as have up to 2 members insured. £200 per annum

As a member you will also receive our free full colour quarterly magazine, packed with information on countryside issues, a dedicated membership hotline open monday to friday 9AM - 5PM, access to members area within our website, plus car sticker.

If you wish to pay by Direct Debit, you can download an SGA Direct Debit form here. You can then print and complete the form, returning it to us at the address shown on the form.

If you would like to apply for or renew your membership using a debit or credit card, you can make a SGA card application here

If you are having any difficulty completing your application or renewal, please contact us at the office for help on 01738 587 515