The 12th August is known as the Glorious 12th. Not so if you are a red grouse! This is the day in Britain when the shooting season starts and the north of England and Scotland become the venues for grouse shooting. It’s not intended here to present the for and against grouse shooting. If shooting is not your idea of fun then read no further.
Much of the shooting takes place on privately owned estates and can be quite a lucrative venture for the landowner. After a hearty cooked breakfast tradition has it that the hunters (known as the Guns) set off for a butt (open topped brick construction providing shelter from the weather and as a hide from the birds). Beaters, given the appropriate signal, then fan out across the moor beating the heather and scrub with sticks and flags and generally making a commotion to make the birds fly towards the guns.
The guns used are usually shot guns and you can equip your dolls house for the Glorious Twelfth. The broken shotgun is available in both 1/12th and 1/24th scale. The straight shotgun is available in 1:12th only. The walking stick is available in 1:12th and 1:24th scale. Check our web shop for full details.
The Gun Dogs
Once the birds have been brought down enthusiastic gun dogs go after the birds. The most common dogs used for this are Spaniels and Labradors though Setters and Retrievers are also used. These dogs have soft mouths and do far less damage when retrieving the prey. To complete your Glorious Twelfth theme we have a selection of gun dogs. Springer Spaniels are available in both 1:12th and 1:24th scale, the Labrador in 1:12th only.
Again see our web shop for full details.
Birds are counted in pairs or a brace, which are often sold on to restaurants and are an expensive delicacy, especially if eaten on the ‘Glorious Twelfth’.