A brief history of the Glorious Twelfth – and how it became controversial
This month marks the start of grouse shooting season – but is it actually as glorious as the name suggests? We find out
For some, shooting season is also social season – and 12 August heralds the arrival of a tradition and sport that dates back to the 17th century. Regarded as one of the most significant events in the UK’s field sports calendar, the Glorious Twelfth sees hunters, gamekeepers and trained dogs take to heathered moorlands to seek out red grouse, otherwise known as the ‘king of game’.
The day itself is deemed a celebration of British countryside heritage and triggers the start of a five-month season where grouse and game appears at restaurants across the country (discover our favourite menus in London here). Yet, for environmentalists and animal activists, the Glorious Twelfth signifies something far more sinister. We delve into the history of game shooting season – and find out why it’s so controversial.
The history of the Glorious Twelfth
Grouse shooting season can be traced back to the mid-19th century, coinciding with the evolution of the railway network, which made it easier for wealthy city-dwelling hunters to access the rural areas home to grouse and game. Grouse, and in particular red grouse, live almost unnaturally high in the heathered hills of the Scottish Highlands, Peak District, Northern Ireland and Wales, and these naturally became hotspots for game shooting.
The date itself, however, was enshrined in law under the Game Act of 1831, which overrode a previous doctrine banning the hunting of game from August until December. The choice of date was due to red grouse being in the best (and meatiest) condition and the heather, often managed by gamekeepers, being in its prime in the middle of August. The term ‘glorious’, however, is believed to hint to a period known as the Glorious Revolution, which marked an upturn in the British economy, and therefore implies a sense of celebration.
The Glorious Twelfth evolved further in the Victorian era, becoming synonymous with the upper echelons of society, who could afford to organise shoots and events. In more recent times it has become fashionable with British heritage and contemporary brands – think Holland Cooper, Schöffel, Barbour and Purdey – built on the idea of dressing this sector of society.
As with most British traditions, the Glorious Twelfth comes with its idiosyncracies. For example, hunting is prohibited on Sundays, so if 12 August falls on a Sunday, the start of the season will be moved to the 13th of the month instead.
Why is it so controversial?
Similar to other major events in the shooting calendar, such as the traditional Boxing Day and New Year’s Day hunts, the Glorious Twelfth is also steeped in controversy. On the one hand, supporters argue that grouse shooting helps maintain protected moorland, as it helps pay for expert gamekeepers to manage the grounds throughout the year, not just during shooting season. One such management technique is burning heather – a practice also known as ‘muirburn’ or controlled burning – which encourages new plants beneficial for red grouse and other game. They also argue that game is one of the most organic and sustainable types of meat, as it’s free-range, wild and some estates grow trees in honour of every bird shot.
On the other hand, environmentalists argue that burning heather, a practice which is increasing by around 11 per cent each year, contributes to global warming as it releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
It’s also obvious that some find the sport itself to be cruel, not only to the grouse and game, but also to other animals such as foxes, crows and magpies, which find themselves trapped in snares or shot and injured as a by-product. Around 700,000 birds are killed between August and December every year and, according to a report by the League Against Cruel Sports, 40 per cent of birds killed are wounded first, causing unnecessary suffering. Plus, with the average shooting day costing £14,000, there is understandable debate over whether this is really a common sport or just the reserve of the wealthy.
What is the future of the Glorious Twelfth?
Climate change is naturally having an impact on the shooting season. Each year, more reports emerge about the decreasing population of game birds impacting events and restaurants which pride themselves on serving grouse and game. This is because environments and climates are changing, with the RSPB Bird and Wildlife Conservation Charity reporting poor breeding as a result of cold and wet spring and summer seasons. Finally, with many rural communities relying on the trade brought by shooting season, tourism is on the decline. If one thing is for sure, the outlook of the Glorious Twelfth looks less glorious every year.
