Grouse portal opens — but will it be in time, asks BASC

With less than a month before the Glorious Twelfth, BASC Scotland has urged its members to apply for a grouse moor licences. At the time of writing a dedicated portal was due to open on Monday (15 July), though BASC Scotland director Peter Clarke warned businesses were “rightly concerned that NatureScot is running down the clock”. 

NatureScot says applications will provisionally open on 15 July. Until now, there has been no online system for licence applications and there are ongoing concerns about processing applications. 

“BASC seeks robust assurance from NatureScot that all who wish to shoot grouse will be fully licensed by 12 August 2024,” said Mr Clark. “The grouse shooting sector in Scotland must not be placed in such a challenging situation so close to its most important date, given the risk to jobs, livelihoods and the rural economy.” 

A statutory code of practice for grouse moor management, which BASC was involved in drafting and which all licence holders must follow, was published on 12 July and outlines the legal obligations associated with moorland management for grouse shooting.