Rural Livelihoods: The Economic Engine of Grouse Moors

Photo by Jonathan Pow

Driven grouse shooting is a significant economic driver in many remote upland areas. While individual estates may not rely solely on grouse shooting for income, it acts as a primary incentive for year-round management activities that underpin other ventures like livestock grazing, commercial forestry, renewable energy generation, and tourism.

Here's how driven grouse shooting fuels the rural economy:

• Significant Expenditure: Shooting, in general, contributes £3.3 billion annually to the UK economy and generates £9.3 billion in wider economic activity. Specifically for grouse moors, approximately £1 million of mostly private investment is spent each week managing these lands, yielding a knock-on benefit of £12 million annually for rural businesses. In a good year, the 140 moors represented by the Regional Moorland Groups alone are estimated to generate up to £121 million in annual expenditure.

• Job Creation: Driven grouse shooting directly creates an estimated 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs and supports many more across its supply chain. These jobs are crucial in remote areas, providing much-needed employment for locals, including those who are young or retired.

• Boosting Local Businesses: The economic impact extends far beyond direct employment. Grouse moor operations engage a wide range of local contractors for ground maintenance, vehicle servicing, and property upkeep. Approximately 33% of these local contractors are farmers or from farming families, further strengthening the rural economy.

• Visitor Spending: People participating in driven grouse shooting spend significantly on local services. This includes:

  • Staying in local hotels and inns.

  • Dining at local pubs and restaurants.

  • Purchasing goods from local shops for clothing and shooting equipment.

  • Using local garages and transportation services. This expenditure, estimated at over £2.7 million for 58 surveyed moors, often occurs outside the main tourist season, providing a vital economic boost when other tourism might be slower.

Beyond Economics: The Social Benefits

The benefits of grouse moor management extend beyond financial figures, creating a holistic positive impact on rural communities and the environment.

Driven grouse shooting fosters community cohesion, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including beaters, pickers-up, and catering staff.

Participation in shooting activities has been linked to improved mental health and well-being for participants, with significant societal value. It provides opportunities for physical exercise in the outdoors and helps combat loneliness, especially for those in remote areas or those experiencing unemployment, poverty, or illness.

The involvement of various age groups, from young children to older adults, promotes inter-generational connections and shared heritage.

A Sustainable Future for the Uplands

The evidence strongly suggests that driven grouse shooting, as part of integrated moorland management, is a key component of the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the UK's uplands.

It provides a powerful economic incentive for land managers and gamekeepers to conserve globally important habitats, protect vulnerable bird species, and contribute to climate change mitigation, all while supporting thriving rural communities.

As discussions continue about the future of the uplands, it is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to consider the holistic benefits that grouse moor management provides.

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