The lure of the (most things) British.

When the practical meets craftsmanship

Being born and bred in Norway, most things hunting and shooting stem purely from a perspective of sustenance and necessity.  "Hunting" in the Norwegian sense has nothing to do with horses and hounds but is a predominant term for foraging everything from moose and reindeer to duck, ptarmigan, black grouse, and capercaillie.

Historically, the guns our forefathers used were made for one purpose: Delivering the shot as reliably and accurate as possible to bring the quarry and the game from field to fork. The supreme quality and extravagance many of the older English and Scottish guns exude, is therefore something that strikes deep within the soul of many Norwegian aficionados.

When you combine this with the plethora of the British traditions – ranging from driven shooting to stalking and fishing, with the appropriate tweed attire, and days ending in front of the fireplace with a wee dram – many Norwegians involved in hunting and guns have succumbed to the different aspects of this totality – in one form or another.

Immaterial values

In September 2023 I was fortunate enough to visiting John Dickson & Son in Dunkeld. Stepping into this humble building, modest in size, but speaking volumes in terms of craftsmanship and tradition, I was moved in unexpected ways. The hour and a half spent there went all too fast, and only later I was able to put to words what it was that struck so deep: The amalgamation of two centuries of making Scottish best guns and the passion for carrying this brand into the future.

In my eyes this continuation of material knowledge on this level, combined with the refinement of form and function, manifest a deep connection historically, but also projects itself into the future. I believe the world loses values that cannot be measured financially when crafts like these are dying and becoming forgotten. In this mindless consumer era, I find many British products appealing, not only from knowing that buying a 120-year-old SxS or a tweed garment is a way of acting sustainably, but also from the fact that I am contributing to upholding crafts and expertise I believe the world will experience a growing need for.

Standing together

Observing here from Norway the predicament and strain experienced by so many within fieldsports, my hope is that the forces behind the continuation of the British country life and its traditions are able to present a united front, stronger than the short-sighted, mislead movement opposing it. Some evaluation and constructive changes would not go amiss, and I do applaud all the efforts made to take these steps in a pro-active way, rather than being legislated to death.

It’s winter here in Norway now, and the days are short and dark. I am sustained through these times by the monthly arrival of a 170 year old British magazine, combined with the reassuring prospect of the next trip to the UK. I look forward to sitting at the hotel's breakfast table again, enjoying my Full English (black pudding and all), looking out at the rain. And, no - kippers and Marmite are a definite no.

LKH.