The Glorious Twelfth
Each year, on the 12th of August, the red grouse shooting season officially begins. Among field sports enthusiasts around the world, this date is celebrated as the ‘Glorious Twelfth’, an iconic moment in the sporting calendar that marks the start of one of Britain’s most prestigious country pursuits.
The red grouse is widely regarded as the ultimate challenge for the sportsman or woman. These birds are renowned for their extraordinary speed and agility, capable of reaching up to 80 miles per hour within just a few wingbeats. Their ability to twist, turn, and drop unpredictably in flight demands exceptional reflexes and accuracy from the gun. Few quarry test the shooter’s skill quite so thoroughly.
Unlike most other game birds, the red grouse is entirely wild. While the moorland on which it lives is carefully managed, particularly to encourage the growth of young heather which provides both food and cover, the birds themselves are neither reared nor artificially introduced. They breed, nest, and thrive in their natural upland habitat, which also happens to offer some of the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery in Britain. Rolling purple-hued moors, sweeping valleys, and vast skies form a backdrop as exhilarating as the sport itself.
A Precious and Fleeting Opportunity
Because red grouse are truly wild, their numbers vary from year to year depending on weather, predation, and disease. They are never abundant, and sustainability is a core principle of modern moorland management. Combined with a relatively short season, running from August 12th to December 10th, this makes grouse shooting a rare and highly prized experience. Each opportunity to take to the moor and face this remarkable bird is to be savoured.
For many, the Glorious Twelfth is more than just the opening of the season. It is a celebration of the heritage, skill, and natural beauty that define British field sports at their finest.
What to Wear
Dressing appropriately for grouse shooting is as much about practicality and comfort as it is about tradition and etiquette. The right clothing not only protects you from the often unpredictable moorland weather but also allows freedom of movement and helps you blend naturally into your surroundings. A classic shooting outfit combines these elements beautifully.
Start with a Tattersall shirt, a country sports staple. Its breathable cotton fabric and distinctive check pattern strike the perfect balance between smart and functional. Over this, wear a shooting waistcoat, which provides warmth without restricting your arms and often features useful pockets for cartridges.
For your lower half, opt for breeks, traditionally made from hard‑wearing tweed or wool. These tailored knee‑length trousers are designed for ease of movement and to keep out the chill, and are usually worn with a pair of long, knitted shooting stockings that come up to just below the knee. Finish this part of the outfit with sturdy field boots or brogues suited to walking over rough moorland terrain.
No traditional shooting ensemble is complete without a tweed cap, which not only protects you from sun and showers but also adds a timeless country touch that blends perfectly with the heathered landscape.
Together, this classic combination of Tattersall shirt, waistcoat, breeks, stockings and cap offers practicality, comfort and understated elegance — the perfect attire for stepping onto the moor for the Glorious Twelfth.
