ONE of Scotland's largest longbow clubs has finally hit the target in finding a permanent home.

Ettrick Forest Archers have been living out of three converted horse boxes since their inception a decade ago.

But now work has began on a log cabin clubhouse just outside Selkirk for the growing membership.

Club chairman Dougie Anderson told the Border Telegraph: "The start of this work is the culmination of a great deal of effort by previous committees of the club as well as the current one.

"It has taken us a long time to reach this point and I am thrilled we have finally got here.

"Our equipment was beginning to be damaged by weather and vermin and when the unit is completed we will have a great facility to enable us to continue to bring traditional archery to the community.”

Ettrick Forest Archers began in 2005 with just half a dozen members.

It has gradually grown into one of the country's most popular longbow clubs with over 50 archers on their books.

Groundworks started last week on the new cabin at Thirladean on the Philiphaugh Estate.

Estate owner Sir Michael Strang Steel has allowed the club to use the nearby fields for shooting since they were formed.

And a lease agreement has also been reached with Philiphaugh Estate for the cabin plot.

Mr Anderson added: "Sir Michael has kindly leased us a piece of land on which we can erect a log cabin and shelter unit.

"The work is expected to take several weeks to complete with the log cabin kit due on site by the second week in March and finished by the end of March."

The 14 metres by five metres cabin is being supplied and erected by Alba Cabins.

It will house the club’s archery, ground maintenance and safety equipment, as well as providing a shelter area for members to store their bows and arrows while out on the field shooting.

The facility is funded by a major grant from Sport Scotland’s Legacy 2014 scheme, which aims to provide a lasting legacy for grassroots sport from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Other funders are Scottish Borders Council's Communities Grants Scheme, Selkirk Common Good Fund, Club Sports Ettrick and Lauderdale, as well as the club's own fundraising and a donation from the flood prevention contractors R J McLeod.