MadMax Adventures

What it’s like

Land Rover off-roading, axe throwing and archery on a working outdoor site, built for teenagers rather than young kids.

This one's for the older crowd. Nobody under 12 gets through the gate, and some of the best bits need you older still: 4x4 off-road driving in Land Rovers is 17 and up with a full licence, quad biking is 16, clay pigeon shooting is 14, and archery opens up at 12. If you've got a 13-year-old who wants to throw an axe or loose some arrows, this is the place. If you were picturing a family day out for a nine-year-old, it isn't that.

Axe throwing is £25, archery £30, Highland Games £40, clay pigeon shooting and quad bike safaris £70 each, and the big one, 4x4 off-road driving, is £250. There are also multi-activity packages if you're bringing a group: two activities for £120 with at least 8 guests, three for £140 with 12, four for £150 with 16. That last one works out cheaper per head the bigger the group gets, which makes this feel built for a big birthday or a stag do rather than a couple of teenagers turning up on a Saturday.

It only runs weekends, and not every weekend either. Summer is every Saturday, spring and autumn drop to 3 or 4 a month, and winter shrinks right down to 2 weekends because of the weather. Walk-ups are allowed if there's space, but you're better off booking, and there's a £20 per person deposit that's non-refundable, plus no refunds if you change plans inside 14 days. That's a faff if plans wobble, so treat the booking as final once it's made.

There's a car park on site and toilets, and food runs to hot and cold drinks and snacks for anyone, with proper sandwich or barbecue lunches available for groups of 10 or more if you order 48 hours ahead. Dress for Scottish weather and wear proper outdoor shoes, since this is all outside on rough ground whatever's forecast that Saturday.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

12 to 17, with the priciest activities reserved for over-16s

Booking

Walk-ups welcome if availability permits, but advance booking recommended

Parking

Car park on site

Food

Sandwich and BBQ lunch options for groups (pre-order required 48 hours), hot and cold drinks, and cold snacks available on site

Getting there by bus or train

Train station at Kirknewton village, approximately 20 minutes walk

• £20 per person deposit is non-refundable, and there's no refund for changes made within 14 days.
• Winter weekends are thin on the ground, only 2 a month, so summer and spring give you more choice.
• Gift vouchers are sold if you want to buy this as a present rather than book it outright.
• At least one instructor on site is First Aid qualified with a kit at the Hub.

Plan your visit

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