INVERCAULD ESTATE, Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Situated in the Cairngorm mountains, this is one of the most spectacular grouse moors in Scotland. Visiting guns can stay at Invercauld Castle and enjoy the privilege of being a temporary neighbour to the Queen, whose Balmoral Estate is next door.
GLENOGIL, Angus. This was bought a few years ago by one of the Edinburgh financial world's most successful whizz-kids. He has poured money into restoring the reputation of this once great grouse moor, and this investment is beginning to pay dividend
s, with grouse returning in numbers in recent years.
EDINGLASSIE, Aberdeenshire. This is a fantastically well-managed driven grouse moor in the North-east. Visitors keener on celebrity-spotting than taking aim might just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Billy Connolly, who lives in Candacraig House nearby.
Not that Connolly has been known to shoot grouse; he saves his energy for fishing and holding court at the Lonach Gathering Highland games at Strathdon in August.
LOCHINDORB, Moray.Has recovered from close to extinction to achieving a bag of more than 1,500 brace of grouse in just a few years. The Conservative Euro MP Struan Stevenson visited Lochindorb recently. This has enabled him to learn about the benefits and challenges of owning and managing grouse moors, giving him the opportunity to promote the cause of grouse moor owners and managers to the policy makers at the European Parliament.
MAYSHIEL, East Lothian. One of the most consistent moors in the Lammermuirs, which in themselves are the most productive range of hills for grouse in Scotland. I must include this on the list, not simply because it is where I have kindly been invited to shoot on the 12th but also because it is a wonderful spot.
• Andrew Rettie is a partner with property consultant and estate agent Strutt & Parker.
The full article contains 314 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
