By August the moors of Scotland and the North of England are teaming with thousands of plump red grouse and on the 12th of the month the law decrees that they are fair game. Long lines of beaters stir the birds from the heather into the air, the men with their guns take aim in their hides, and the fashionable restaurants of London will have a specialty on their menus the same evening.
   Shooting grouse is all part of the 'The Season' of social events and anyone who is anyone ought to be there on the Glorious Twelfth. To be close to the game, they sometimes stay in hunting lodges situated on the moors themselves, although fast modern transport has made this less common than it was. Some used to bring their own portable lodges, ordered from a catalogue and easily assembled!
   Evenings at the lodge are jovial affairs with fresh salmon and game to eat and tales to tell of the day's 'bag.' No doubt a few drams of locally distilled whisky help add to the atmosphere, though alcohol during the day is strongly discouraged, lest the aim become erratic and the hunter end up as the hunted!