Saturday 13 August 2022 02:10 AM Glorious 12th returns with a bang: Shooting parties hit heather-clad moorlands trends now Scotland's rural economy is 'back in business' with the return of the annual grouse shooting season following a difficult two years due to the pandemic. Gamekeepers at estates across Scotland said the significance of the traditional start date of the season, nicknamed Glorious 12th, should 'not be understated' this year as many lodges and local businesses welcome locals and international tourists alike. Ross Ewing, moorland director at Scottish Land and Estates, said August 12 marks a 'vital extension' to the tourism season. 'Rural businesses need trade now more than ever, and the return of international visitors to Scotland's iconic moorlands is an important lifeline that will enable many to weather what is set to be a difficult winter,' he said. Gamekeepers at estates across Scotland said the significance of the traditional start date of the season, nicknamed Glorious 12th, should 'not be understated' this year as many lodges and local businesses welcome locals and international tourists alike. Pictured: Archie Skinner and head keeper Craig Brown join a shooting party on See Far Hill Head keeper Craig Brown Chloe Forbes and Becky King join a shooting party on See Far Hill on the first day of the grouse season on August 12 Ross Ewing, moorland director at Scottish Land and Estates, said August 12 marks a 'vital extension' to the tourism season. Pictured: Archie King joins members of a shooting party on See Far Hill 'Rural businesses need trade now more than ever, and the return of international visitors to Scotland's iconic moorlands is an important lifeline that will enable many to weather what is set to be a difficult winter,' he said. Pictured: The shooting party on See Far Hill He added: 'Research has shown that grouse shooting consistently generates higher levels of local and regional spending than other comparable land uses, making it a vital cornerstone of the rural economy that sustains more jobs per hectare than other sectors' Pictured: A member of the shooting party on See Far Hill on the first day of the grouse season today. Mr Ewing said: 'Improved grouse numbers and a pent-up hunger for grouse shooting from international visitors means that this year is set to be a good one - not just for those shooting, but for those rural workers and businesses that are supported by one of Scotland's foremost rural sectors.' Gamekeepers say they are looking forward to welcoming international tourists again following the pandemic. Pictured: Becky King joins members of a shooting party on See Far Hill Members of a shooting party are seen on See Far Hill during the first day of the grouse season on August 12 in Dunkeld, Scotland Head keeper at Forneth Farm in Perthshire, Craig Brown, said the season will give the local economy 'a real boost' 'The significance of the Glorious 12th this year should not be understated. 'Research has shown that grouse shooting consistently generates higher levels of local and regional spending than other comparable land uses, making it a vital cornerstone of the rural economy that sustains more jobs per hectare than other sectors. 'Improved grouse numbers and a pent-up hunger for grouse shooting from international visitors means that this year is set to be a good one - not just for those shooting, but for those rural workers and businesses that are supported by one of Scotland's foremost rural sectors.' Gamekeepers say they are looking forward to welcoming international tourists again following the pandemic. Head keeper at Forneth Farm in Perthshire, Craig Brown, said the season will give the local economy 'a real boost'. He said: 'Rural communities and businesses such as hotels, pubs, restaurants and suppliers will all benefit from more people coming to Scotland. He said: 'Rural communities and businesses such as hotels, pubs, restaurants and suppliers will all benefit from more people coming to Scotland.' Pictured: Chloe Forbes and Becky King join members of a shooting on See Far Hill Shooters stroll through fields with their dogs while they enjoy the first day of grouse season on See Far Hill in Dunkeld, Scotland Mr Brown added: 'Most estates will be finalising their programme of shoots for the season with reports of many group bookings being made. Last year, uncertainty caused by travel restrictions and poor weather conditions had an impact and we're delighted to see things bouncing back' Members of the shooting party wade through heather while they enjoy the first day of the grouse season on See Far Hill Chloe Forbes, 27, from Perthshire, was part of one of the first shooting parties on See Far Hill at Forneth Farm. She said: 'We're all so pleased to be back on the hill again this year and know what it means to so many people in rural communities' Archie Skinner and head keeper Craig Brown joins a shooting party on See Far Hill on the first day of the grouse season on August 12 in Dunkeld, Scotland Shooting parties also took to the North Yorkshire Moors near Whitby, where country sports enthusiasts were putting gundog trainers and their dogs through their paces, pointing and retrieving grouse 'Most estates will be finalising their programme of shoots for the season with reports of many group bookings being made. Last year, uncertainty caused by travel restrictions and poor weather conditions had an impact and we're delighted to see things bouncing back.' Chloe Forbes, 27, from Perthshire, was part of one of the first shooting parties on See Far Hill at Forneth Farm. She said: 'We're all so pleased to be back on the hill again this year and know what it means to so many people in rural communities.' Shooting parties also took to the North Yorkshire Moors near Whitby, where country sports enthusiasts were putting gundog trainers and their dogs through their paces, pointing and retrieving grouse. Head keeper Mark Taylor said: 'It's a massive boost for everyone in the area to see a normal shooting season get under way. It means so much to people from different walks of rural life. Mike Wimberley presents a grouse he shot during the first day of grouse season at a shooting party on See Far Hill Archie Skinner and head keeper Craig Brown lead a shoot on See Far Hill on the first day of grouse season today Mike Wimberley holds a grouse that has been shot during a shooting party on See Far Hill in Dunkeld today Archie Skinner removes a bullet casing from his gun during the shoot on See Far Hill in Dunkeld today A dog retrieves a bird for a shooting party on See Far Hill during the first day of the grouse season Head keeper Craig Brown Chloe Forbes and Becky King continue their shooting day on See Far Hill in Dunkeld today Lucie Hustler, from the Norfolk and Suffolk field trial club, was one of the first on the moors on Friday morning with her two-year-old German short-haired pointer Oxo 'We're looking forward to getting everybody back together again as well as the shooting parties who come from all over Europe and further afield to the moors in the north of England.' Lucie Hustler, from the Norfolk and Suffolk field trial club, was one of the first on the moors on Friday morning with her two-year-old German short-haired pointer Oxo. She said: 'The heather-clad North York Moors have never looked better and our dogs feel right at home here. 'We all know how important grouse shooting is and the benefits it provides for hotels and businesses, as well as making such a positive contribution to habitat and species conservation.' Tay House, a sporting lodge in Dunkeld, Perthshire, hugely benefits from the grouse season. Archie Skinner joins a shooting party on See Far Hill on the first day of the grouse season on August 12, Archie Skinner aims his shotgun during a shooting party on See Far Hill on the first day of the grouse season on August 12, A dog retrieves a bird for a shooting party on See Far Hill during the first day of the grouse season on August 12 Becky King is seen surrounded by grouse and heather during a shooting party on See Far Hill in Dunkeld today It is welcoming shooting parties from home and abroad this year, including a group of 16 from America. Three local group bookings alone this season are estimated to generate more than £210,000 for the Dunkeld economy. Tay House owner Mike Smith said: 'Our business is built around the fishing and tourism trade throughout the spring and summer months, which is then dovetailed with the grouse and pheasant season during the autumn and winter months. 'We are reliant on rural tourism, especially the country sports sector during the off-peak season from September to December, without such we simply could not operate as a business. 'The shooting season is vitally important to so many rural business and villages such as Dunkeld. It allows for a rural way of life and generates a true community feel.' All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility