THE shoot for the Silver Arrow will take place in Musselburgh on Thursday.

Each year, members of the Royal Company of Archers, the Queen’s Bodyguard in Scotland, take part in what is reputedly the oldest sporting trophy in the world still competed for annually.

They will assemble at Gracefield car park at The Brunton at 4pm before moving off via New Street and the pedestrian bridge to Musselburgh Racecourse.

The shoot will get underway at Musselburgh Links at 4.30pm.

Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian, will present the Silver Arrow to the winner of the contest at 6.30pm. The archers will then make their way back for a civic reception at The Brunton via Linkfield Road, the High Street and Bridge Street.

Mr McMillan said: “The Musselburgh Silver Arrow is an historic event that dates back more than 400 years. I have had the pleasure of attending some previous shoots and look forward to seeing the keenly contested competition this year.”

He added: “I would recommend both local residents and visitors to East Lothian to come along to see this spectacle which takes place on Musselburgh Links.”

The competition dates back to 1603.

Each year since 1713 the Royal Company of Archers have shot for the Musselburgh Silver Arrow. However, the existing trophy is a replacement for the Musselburgh Small Arrow which is known to have been competed for as early as 1603.