Bannockburn Clout Weekend 2025

The Bannockburn Bowmen Clout Weekend consists of a Double One Way Imperial Clout on Saturday and a Double Metric Clout on Sunday.

A clout is a form of archery where the archers shoot at a small flag in the ground.

For the Imperial clout, Gents shoot 180 yards, Ladies shoot 140 yards (shorter distances are available for juniors) and the scoring zone is measured from the flag, within a radius of:

18 inches = 5 points; 3 feet = 4 points; 6 feet = 3 points; 9 feet = 2 points; 12 feet = 1 point.

For the Metric clout the distances are Gents compound 185m, non-compound 165m, Ladies compound 165m, non-compound 125m (again, shorter distances are available for juniors) and the scoring zone is 15m in diameter and divided into five concentric scoring zones, each measuring 1.5m in width and scoring, from the centre outwards: 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1.

The weather conditions were mixed over the weekend with competitors and judges getting baked on Saturday with a brief, heavy, cooling downpour in the afternoon which of course started when we were at the target end of the field and all our waterproofs/umbrellas were back in our tents/cars. Sunday wasn't nearly as nice with heavy showers throughout the day and constantly changing wind. It did start to clear up in the afternoon and for a brief moment looked like the tents would be dry for putting them away. But of course there was one last shower right at the end.

Representing Lethen Archers, we had Edwin and Carin. While Edwin is now a fairly seasoned Clout shooter, it was Carin's first full clout shoot and I think it's fair to say she thoroughly enjoyed it. Edwin took gold in the imperial clout with a score of 155 which was a new personal best and (pending verification) a Scottish record for Recurve Men 50+. He also managed to take gold in the metric clout, scoring 245 and so was also awarded the Men's Recurve trophy for the whole weekend. Carin, on the other hand, was ecstatic just to have scored any points at all. Her scores of 41 on the imperial and 125 on the metric were enough to earn a much coveted Bannockburn Spider Badge.

Edwin...

"🏹🎯 A successful weekend at the Bannockburn Bowmen Clout weekend despite today's weather. Saturday was an imperial double clout in really hot weather (should have put the sun block on even though it was quite cloudy). Score of 155 was enough to get gold medal, new PB and new club record.

Sunday was a little bit on the wet side for the double metric clout with heavy showers throughout the day. First time shooting a metric clout so guaranteed a PB and a score of 245 got my second gold of the weekend."

Carin...

"First clout! Seriously underestimated the amount of up I'd need to reach the scoring ring, and took about three ends to sneak up on it on Saturday, managed to get at least one arrow per end in the ring on Sunday and all six in, plus two clouts in two ends. Definitely exceeded my expectations. For a change, there were many barebow archers about, most of them seasoned and very good. I enjoyed being able to discuss barebow at length and gain some much needed insight. :) Bannockburn arranged and carried off another fun and well-run event, even with the showers and "interesting" wind Sunday. Highly recommend trying clout next year!"

As always, a huge thank you to everyone involved in organising and running the event, tea tent and raffle.