The pandemic may have forced the postponement or cancellation of most events this year – but one major date in the rural calendar is going ahead in line with tradition.
Tomorrow is the Glorious Twelfth, marking the opening of the grouse shooting season in Scotland, with communities hoping for a much-needed boost for the rural economy.
Many estates are keen to host shooting after two poor seasons, although a lack of high-spending overseas visitors this year has tempered expectations.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg said some of the communities where grouse shooting takes place are among the most remote in Scotland and the economic impact has a disproportionate benefit for businesses, some of which have been effectively closed for months.
He said fewer overseas visitors will affect income, but domestic demand remains strong: “Getting people out on the hills for things like grouse shooting and deer stalking, you could argue, is even more important than ever this year. It will be the key to helping drive business again in some remote communities.”
Tim Baynes, moorland director at Scottish Land & Estates, said he is “reasonably optimistic” that many estates will have shooting.
“Everyone is feeling their way a bit. It’s going to be a slow start to the season as there has been some quite late breeding, particularly in the Highlands and North east. But every effort is being made to run shooting days and we are hoping things will develop a bit as the season progresses.”
The grouse season is worth an estimated £32m and is part of the £350m value of game and country sports to Scotland.
Mr Baynes said the absence of overseas visitors, who make up around 15% of the market, will have an impact but a bigger group comes from England: “So it’s not disastrous, but the overseas tourists will be sorely missed.”
Ross Ewing, from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said this year the Glorious Twelfth is a symbol that the rural economy is back in business.
“After the economic hardships of Covid-19, the grouse shooting season will be a welcome economic boost for many parts of the country, extending the tourism season well into the autumn months and providing a lifeline for rural business.”
Gareth Paschke, owner of the Cairn Hotel in Carrbridge, said about 15% of his bookings over the next few months are from shooting parties, mostly from England.
“It’s very healthy and any business like that is a huge boost for us.”
