New group teaches blind how to shoot

A SHOOTING group for the visually impaired in Caithness is set to become a hit.

So far, reaction has been positive to the group launched by Donald Henderson who has been a member of the Stirkoke Rifle Club for 30 years.

The retired Dounreay instrument technician got the idea after reading an article about visually impaired acoustic shooting.

“It was interesting and different so I thought it would be good to do something like that here,” said Mr Henderson.

He got support for the proposal from the Caithness Macular Society Support Group, which was set up three years ago for visually-impaired and blind people.

An application was made to the Camster Wind Farm community benefit fund and £7000 was awarded to purchase two rifles and the special equipment required to get under way.

“We have just started and use the facility at the Old School in Tannach [the base for the Stirkoke club, which is licensed to use air guns],” said Mr Henderson who pointed out that there are British and international championships for visually impaired shooters.

“Folk are interested in it. It is something that someone who is blind or has problems with their sight can do. If there is enough interest we would like to expand the group.”

He also said efforts are being made to get it recognised as a sport in the Paralympics.

Mr Henderson explained that the shooters use air guns which have a specialist sighting system. “It measures the amount of light reflected from the illuminated target and converts it into sound which the shooter hears through headphones,” he said.

“As the level of light increases so does the frequency of sound. The higher the frequency the closer they are to the centre of the target. A deeper sound indicates they are aiming lower down. A helper assists them to find the target.”

The specialist sighting equipment is designed to work at a distance of 10 metres.

Eric Farquhar, who set up the Caithness Macular Society Support Group, backs the initiative and said it would be a good thing for people who are blind or are visually impaired.

“We have around 30 members and some of them are involved in this project,” he said.

Mr Farquhar said the support group meets once a month and has a guest speaker.

“It gives people a chance to meet and have a blether. It is a social thing. We have a fund available to pay for taxis to get people from their homes to our meetings at the PPP centre in Wick”.

The next meeting is on March 21.

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