The day dawned cool and grey (funny that!) and as usual we met with the guests at the lodge after breakfast, But today was to be different from the others. With yesterday having been the “Glorious 12th” – traditionally the start of the grouse season in Scotland – we were destined to head to the moors to try get some shooting in for the guests.

And what a superb day it was! It began with a long drive out onto Fred’s beat (the term used for the area a Keeper is responsible for). The route winds precariously up a gravel two-track with a fairly sheer drop to a stream on one side and heather-clad slopes on the other. Ken, a local farmer from the area, making references to Fred being a certain prominent deity with our lives in his hands would give one some idea of the nature of the road! 

After disembarking from the vehicles we proceeded on foot for perhaps another two miles before calling a halt. Lord Dalhousie and Fred then instructed everyone where they should be standing during the shoot – basically in a long line with one keeper and one shooter 30 meters apart alternating along the line. We then all move forward at a relaxed pace taking care not to break the line, the object being to flush grouse ahead of the group thereby presenting an opportunity for the shooters to bag a bird. The breathtaking scenery and novel experience apart, the one thing a thoroughly enjoyed watching was the dogs at work. Once a bird had been shot and went down, the keepers would send their dogs forward to retrieve the birds. It’s remarkable to watch the repertoire between dogs and keepers. Using a series of commands – verbal, whistling and hand signals – the keepers direct their dogs to where the bird was last seen. It’s testament to the effectiveness of the technique and to a couple million years of evolution that equipped dogs with such a remarkable sense of smell that we did not lose a single bird during the entire day. 

At days end after a long walk, the total bag was in the region of 36 birds which was acceptable for the time spent out in the field. More importantly, we must have flushed close on 150 – 200 birds, proof that the grouse numbers are indeed on the increase. All in all, a most remarkable, entertaining and fascinating day!