FORMER motor-racing and shooting champion Sir Jackie Stewart has persuaded the Scottish Government to back a world-class shooting centre for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Sir Jackie revealed yesterday that he had personally lobbied the justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, to support a purpose-built facility for international "Grand Prix" shooting events, rejecting the possibility of converting army or police faciliti
es.
In the aftermath of Dunblane, firearms sports in Scotland have found it difficult to attract government backing. Sir Jackie revealed that earlier proposals for the Glasgow games had even included holding shooting events on the Isle of Man.
"I have all sympathy for all lost at Dunblane," said the former Scottish and European shooting champion. "That doesn't mean to say everybody who handles a gun is a dangerous person."
He added: "If we put up a really good shooting facility, that could host not only a future Scottish championships, we could have the European or the world championships coming to Scotland.
"In this country, of course, fishing and shooting of all kinds are very popular.
"We should be encouraging people to come to Scotland, and if we have a permanent site for a major event for shooting, it's like adding another dimension to the opportunities of attracting people to our country."
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government confirmed that Sir Jackie and Mr MacAskill had met to talk about clay target shooting.
"Alternative venues for shooting were discussed," she said. "However, any proposal to host the Commonwealth Games target shooting events on non-restricted land will only be considered if a venue can be identified which meets the requirements for international competition and is commercially viable and sustainable."
Gun laws campaigner Dr Mick North, whose daughter was killed at Dunblane, has been kept informed of the discussions, she said.
Sir Jackie said he was told the former Labour administration proposed locating shooting events on the Isle of Man.
"Then I heard they were going to put the shooting either in a police facility or a military facility that would have precluded any public from being there. They were going to spend £3-5 million putting the equipment and facilities in and then they were going to have to take them out, trash them. We can't have a British Grand Prix of motor racing. We can have a British Grand Prix of shooting."
Sir Jackie said he believed he had won his case. "I will be very surprised if the trap shooting is not in a purpose-built facility," he said.
Shooting at past Commonwealth Games has included scores of categories for clay target shooting, as well as pistol and rifle contests, including air weapons. Scotland has a strong record of medal winners.
Sir Jackie was in Scotland to promote his 70th birthday single, Fly Free, recorded for him by his two sons, with Eric Clapton playing on the track. It is released on 15 November, with proceeds going to the Grand Prix Mechanics' Charitable Trust.
The song was inspired by the Flying Scot's favourite family saying, underlying his taste for speaking his mind. The lyrics run: "If you fly with crows you'll be shot at … fly free … be strong."
