With the Glorious Twelfth upon us, we wanted to highlight a recent report published by the Angus Glens Moorland Group and Scottish Land & Estates which demonstrates the positive impact that grouse shooting can have on rural communities and economies.
What the Report Found
This comprehensive report found that seven estates in the Angus Glens contributed an impressive £6.6 million to the economy in 2025, providing 86 full-time and 768 seasonal jobs and 68 homes in rural areas. £3.66m was spent on employment costs and £2.94m on contractors, goods and services – 82.5% of this was with local businesses.
In addition to the economic benefits, the report found that the Angus Glens was “a stronghold for biodiversity” with 102 bird species, 145 species of butterfly and moth, 19 mammal species and 146 plant species recorded on one estate alone. The actively managed habitats also allowed an abundance of key species to thrive, including Curlew, Black Grouse, Skylark, Lapwing, and Oystercatcher. Many of these species are of national conservation concern, underlining the importance of well-managed upland habitats.
The Angus Glens operates as a shared landscape, utilised by a variety of communities, organisations and individuals. The estates invested £114,087 in track maintenance during the year, allowing for safe, practical access across remote terrain for land management, research, education, emergency services and recreational users alike.
The Importance of Grouse Shooting in the Angus Glens
During the 2025 season, the estates hosted 84 grouse days which accounted for 54 seasonal employees required on average, per shoot day, per estate, showcasing how grouse shooting plays a central role in sustaining rural communities.
Steve Mitchell of Maryton Garage near Kirriemuir said: “The estates here are fantastic for the area, loads of local businesses benefit. We service all the estate vehicles, the gamekeepers’ vehicles and 4x4s for guests who come for the shooting season. It’s a big part of our business.”
Read the Full Report
The full report, Moorland Management in the Angus Glens Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts from 2025, can be read here and the executive summary here.
We work with some of the leading grouse moors in the UK and Scotland, including the Angus Glens where we will be hosting several team days during the 2026 season.
To enquire about the 2027-28 grouse shooting season, please contact our friendly team:
info@roxtons.com | +44 (0) 1488 683 222
