In Britain, the 12th of August holds a special place in the hearts of shooting enthusiasts. Known as the "Glorious 12th," it marks the start of the shooting season for grouse in the country. At J Boult Designs, we embrace the rich traditions and heritage associated with the Glorious 12th, and our handcrafted designs pay homage to this cherished occasion. As the 12th of August is upon us we decided in this this blog post, to delve into the significance of the Glorious 12th and how J Boult Designs is inspired by what the Glorious 12th and the Scottish countryside.
Tradition and Heritage: Understanding the Glorious 12th
John Ferneley, 1782–1860, British, Edward Horner Reynard and his Brother George Grouse-Shooting At Middlesmoor, Yorkshire, with Their Gamekeeper Tully Lamb, 1836, Oil on canvas, Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, B2001.2.203
The Glorious 12th date was initially set as the Game Act of 1773 restricted hunting or purchasing grouse between the tenth day of December and the twelfth day of August. This act was written with the preservation of the moors and hills across the British Isles in mind.
The pastime grew particularly in popularity during the 1850s due to the widespread introduction of the widespread railway networks, allowing more people to reach the moors. It became more popular at this time as well due to the advancement of faster re-loading shotguns.
During the world wars of the early 20th century and the aftermath, the impact of rationing assisted in transforming the sport from an aristocratic game to a necessary pursuit of wild food. There are examples of farmers and landowners allowing employees to shoot for their own food during this era.
Having fun by W.G Philips - August 1922. M McDonald, a member of Lord Woolavington's House Party, with a gamekeeper in a hide during a grouse shoot on Mannock Moors. (Photo by W. G. Phillips/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
Today the Glorious 12th represents not only the start of the shooting season, but the countryside's role in conservation efforts and land management. This is a contentious issue with different charities and individuals having different perspectives on how best to manage moors. According to a 2014 study about Berwyn moorland that looked at the changes in local bird populations between surveys in 1993 and 2002, there has been a reduction not only in red grouse but also in lapwing, hen harrier, golden plover and ring ouzel numbers. Driven grouse moor management ceased on Berwyn Special Area for Conservation in the late 1990s. In other areas of Scotland and the UK where grouse moor management continues red grouse are still found at higher densities.
Adding to this the presence of grouse shooting consistently generates economic benefits to the local and regional areas of both Scotland and the United Kingdom. Research has shown that it continues to generate higher levels of local and regional spending than other comparable land uses, making it a vital cornerstone of the rural economy that sustains more jobs per hectare than other sectors. In Scotland alone it generates around £30 million a year from shooting tourism, the UK overall it is around £150 million.
Capturing the Essence: J Boult Designs gifts inspired by the Glorious 12th
The Glorious 12th holds a special place in the hearts of shooting enthusiasts, symbolising the start of the shooting season and celebrating the traditions and heritage of the British countryside. At J Boult Designs, we embrace this occasion with our handcrafted gifts, paying tribute to the art of shooting and the natural beauty that surrounds it. Through our designs, we aim to capture the essence of the Glorious 12th while upholding our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.