Grouse estates in Scotland pay out Â£7m in wages

More than 350 gamekeepers, their families and businesses who benefit from the grouse season marched through Edzell, Angus. Picture: contributed

Grouse estates across Scotland reported spending almost £7 million on wages for full and part-time staff in 2015, including seasonal workers such as grouse  beaters.

The poll of 33 estates was conducted ahead of the Glorious Twelfth, 12 August, which traditionally marks the start of the annual grouse shooting season.

Figures were collated from regional moorland groups in Angus, Grampian, Loch Ness, Tomatin, Tayside and Central Scotland, Speyside and the Lammermuirs, totalling £6,864,806.

They said the wage figure for the whole of Scotland would be significantly higher.

The survey results were announced as around 300 gamekeepers and families gathered yesterday for a workers’ march and community day at Edzell, Angus.

Bruce Cooper, head gamekeeper and member of the Angus Glens Moorland Group, said: “Every year, around 12 August, we listen to organisations pushing their agendas from afar about grouse shooting.

“Members of the public shouldn’t forget that, all year round, working folk rely on grouse shooting and this way of life to bring up their families and send kids to schools in these communities.

“It also brings a huge amount to the trades and tourism operators, many of whom are marching with us today. These people have seen other industries falter and, if it wasn’t for the grouse and other shooting seasons, they would be laying off staff.

“We are proud of what we do, the array of species our management supports and how we help to keep our communities going. That’s why we are bringing people from all over Scotland together ahead of the grouse season.”

Research currently puts the value of tourism from field sports – such as shooting, stalking and fishing – at about £155m in Scotland, with the figures expected to grow to around £185m by 2020.