RED GROUSE
Lagopus lagopus scoticus

See our “famous grouse” - stars of the whisky advertising campaign. These birds play an important part in the Scottish economy so their habitat needs careful management. A system of moor burning ensures tender heather shoots for them to feed on, with old heather providing cover.

They are territorial birds, with a family group (typically made up of a cock bird, 1-2 hens and their chicks), needing about one hectare of moorland to live on.