How we stop grouse shooting in Scotland with land reform

Hundreds of thousands of animals die every year so that more birds, like Scotland’s native wild grouse, can be shot by a few people for their entertainment.

‘Country sports’ is partaken in by a tiny minority in Scotland but it uses up a huge amount of land. 53% of Scotland’s landmass are private estates and 78% of them operate country sports. However, despite all the land sport shooting uses up, and despite how they routinely destroy our wildlife and environment it’s economic contribution is, frankly, pathetic.

We used to think that grouse shooting’s contribution to Scotland’s economy was low. Now, analysis from the shooting lobby shows that all ‘country sports’ contribute a paltry 0.03% to our economy. If Scotland’s economy was the height of Ben Nevis sport shooting’s contribution would be about the size of a bottle of Irn Bru.

Half of Scotland’s land is owned by just a few hundred people and we remain one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Isn’t it time that changed?

This is why the REVIVE coalition, that the League is a proud founding member of, has been working on The Big Land Question – a major national project which aims to change this.

The Big Land Question consists of public opinion polling and consists of focus groups, citizens panels, stakeholder roundtables and crucially, a chance for you to have your say about the ideas that can make things better for our wildlife, people and environment.

Answer the Big Land Question Here

All of this will feed into a set of recommendations for the future of our land, to all political parties standing candidates for election in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. Your say can influence what we tell them.

You will have the option of either completing the interactive questionnaire featuring renowned Scottish actor David Hayman – who will take you through it here – or by filling in the text version here.

*It should only take around 10 minutes and it will be a massive help.

*The deadline is June 20^th so make sure you fill it in before it closes.

We have the momentum. Most political parties say they support land reform and the Government is very interested in the results of the Big Land Question.

When we come together to demand change, we become very powerful indeed. I hope you can help to change the face of Scotland with us.

Max Wiszniewski

Head of Campaigns for Scotland and REVIVE campaign manager