Angus shooting estates bring £6.6m boost to local economy

Shooting estates in the Angus Glens contributed £6.6 million to the local economy in 2025, according to a new report.

Seven estates in the rural uplands last year supported hundreds of rural jobs, local businesses and biodiversity work, according to findings from the Angus Glens Moorland Group and Scottish Land and Estates.

They spent £3.66m on jobs, of which 86 were full-time and 768 were seasonal. An additional £2.94m paid for contractors, goods and services, with 82.5% of this spend remaining in the local economy. The report also revealed the scale of employment created by shooting days on the estates.

The seven landholdings collectively manage 54,715 hectares of the Angus Glens’ total area of around 90,000 ha. The two main land uses were agricultural and sporting, ahead of conservation. Much further down was natural capital, followed by forestry and, finally, property.

“The socio-economic contribution of these landholdings is not defined by a single activity, but by a network of employment, spending and community support,” the report said.

“Conservation is a core land use on the majority of holdings, underpinning habitat and species management;

“Emerging activities, such as natural capital and woodland creation, are beginning to play a role.”

All seven estates combined grouse shooting with agricultural activity. Mixed shooting (driven and walked up) took place on four estates. Two estates hosted driven shooting, with shooting over pointers an activity on one estate.

The report said: “This variation highlights that grouse shooting in the Angus Glens is not uniform, but adapted to local conditions and priorities.”

During the 2025 season, 84 grouse shoot days took place, with an average of 54 seasonal employees required per shoot day, per estate.

“Each shoot day is a significant logistical undertaking, reflecting the scale of activity and the seasonal employment opportunities these days generate,” the study added.

The report also catalogued native wildlife present. One estate recorded 102 bird species, 145 species of butterfly and moth, 19 mammal species and 146 plant species.

Widely distributed were 16 species of bird of prey. The most common – White Tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Buzzard, Red Kite, Peregrine Falcon and Kestrel – were on every estate.

Key upland species found in abundance included Curlew, Black Grouse, Skylark, Lapwing, and Oystercatcher. These face severe population decline elsewhere in the UK.

Iona McGregor, of Angus Glens Moorland Group, said:

“This is the first time we have produced a full report on how integrated land use provides this range of benefits for wildlife, recreation, the economy and rural livelihoods.

“Many people have the impression that all the land is dedicated to country sports but, in fact, a wide range of activities are undertaken.”

Ross Ewing, of Scottish Land and Estates, said:

“We will discuss the report with policy-makers and members of the Scottish Parliament in the coming months and look forward to engaging with them on the issues raised.”

This article appeared in the Courier on 4 August 2026