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12 Glorious Facts about the Glorious Twelfth
By Justin Orde

Christian and I love the great outdoors and enjoying the beauty of rural life in the Scottish Borders. So it goes without saying that we love to cater for events in the outdoors, whether it’s a fishing party by the banks of the Tweed or at this time of the year, providing lunches and dinners in the many bothies and lodges that can be found in our region to celebrate the Grouse Season.  

The Grouse season famously starts on the 12th of August or known as “The Glorious Twelfth” and to mark this we thought we would celebrate with 12 interesting facts about the Grouse Season alongside one of our favourite game recipes, from our head chef Craig for you to try at home.

1.    When people think of “The Glorious 12th” they immediately think of the Scottish Highlands but actually it is also a big occasion for country enthusiasts in the Scottish Borders and other parts of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland, Wales and Northern England.

2.    The Grouse population is estimated to be the same size as the population of Edinburgh at 500,000.

3.    The Grouse Season generates an amazing £30 million for the Scottish economy every year.

4.    Grouse is of course a very sought after meat with some London restaurants amongst others willing to pay a premium for it so that they can serve it for dinner on the 12th August.

5.    Rudyard Kipling was the first recorded person to use the verb “grouse” which he did in a poem in 1877 it means to complain or sulk.

6.    An usual fact is that since 1931 the Ruffled Grouse has been the state bird of Pennsylvania.

7.    The Grouse Season can be traced back 160 years to 1853.

8.    There are 459 Grouse moors in the UK alone.

9.    In the Northern Hemisphere there are 18 different types of grouse which all flourish in colder climates.

10.    The Sage Grouse like to dance and have a comical mating dance that has been copied in folk dances both in the USA and Alpine regions.

11.    Grouse is a very versatile meat and is popular in Indian and Thai cooking too of course on the 12thAugust it is good to have it the traditional way with game chips, water cress and bread sauce.

12.    The Game Act of 1831 says that the Grouse Season MUST run from the 12th August till the 10th December.

We hope that between August and the 10th of December that you get the opportunity to enjoy some delicious Grouse and if you are cooking it at home for friends or family why not enjoy one of the popular Grouse recipes that we often serve during the Grouse Season.