Rain fails to put a dampener on Glorious 12th demand
AS THE Glorious Twelfth approaches, the demand for grouse shooting seems particularly strong despite the fact that bird numbers have been affected by poor weather.
Robert Rattray, a partner at CKD Galbraith who leads the firm’s sporting lets department, said, “We expect an influx of visitors to Scotland with teams of grouse shooters looking to spend on average £10,000 to £15,000 for a day’s driven grouse shooting.
“We are operating bookings on property lets on some of the finest Scottish estates offering some of the best grouse shooting around. Many come from abroad, and have been for nearly 30 years, as they see shooting grouse in Scotland as the pinnacle of their annual shooting programme.
“Grouse shooting is a vital part of our fragile rural economy, both in terms of managing our vulnerable heather moorland and in providing a world class venue for sportsmen. It also provides a valuable economic benefit with the grouse industry as a whole in Scotland valued at £30m and supporting some 950 full time jobs.
Mr Rattray said that after last year’s generally good grouse season, stocks were looking favourable for a repeat.
"However, the cold and wet weather over the critical months of May and June, and even into July, has steadily reduced grouse numbers with some estates having to either reduce or cancel their grouse shooting programmes," he said.
"Most estates have now completed their counts and adjustments are being made to estate shooting programmes. We have had to reorganise a small proportion of our shooting parties however, I am pleased that in many instances we are able to find alternative locations.”
