The Other Glorious Twelfth

Ian Elliot, Grouse Keeper views a grouse moor, at Horseupcleugh estate in the Lammermuir Hills in the Borders. The Glorious Twelfth is the official starting date for the red grouse shooting season in Scotland and parts of northern England. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

I don’t really understand the mad dash to get grouse to London restaurants this evening since, obviously, the birds are better eating once they’ve been hung for a few days. But the good news, for once, is that grouse numbers may be increasing.