Grouse and related licences - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The grouse licence is being introduced to tackle raptor persecution and to help ensure that grouse moors are managed sustainably.

The licences will apply to all landholdings used for the killing or taking of red grouse whether that is walked up or driven grouse shooting, or a combination. Shooting or taking a red grouse from an area without a licence will be an offence. 

The licence holder will be the landowner or the person who formally holds the legal right to kill or take grouse. Not everyone who shoots a red grouse will require a licence but the land over which they are shot or taken must be covered by a valid licence.

The individual shooting a red grouse must ensure the land about to be shot over has a licence in place. If the land doesn't have a licence then the individual who shoots a red grouse is committing an offence and risks prosecution and risks the loss of their shotgun certificate.

Applications for the licence opened on Monday 15 July 2024. 

The licence application is a simple online process. A non-digital application will also be available for anyone unable to access the online system. A 6-step guide provides a quick guidance on how to apply.

The Code of Practice on Grouse Moor Management was developed through a Grouse Code Working Group. The Code sets out the regulatory requirements associated with grouse moor management and provides links to Best Practice guidance. Compliance with the Code is a condition of the licence. The Code sets out the agreed standards to which grouse moors should be operating.

No, you do not need a licence if you have a legal right or permission to kill or take a red grouse using a bird of prey. 

Yes, the licence holder will be required to submit an annual return of the number of red grouse shot to NatureScot. 

Muirburn is defined as the setting of fire to, or the burning of, any health or muir. 

The muirburn licence is being introduced to help ensure that all muirburn is carried out by suitably trained individuals in a way which supports land management, biodiversity and net zero targets. Muirburn is a skilled land management activity. When used appropriately, muirburn has the potential to help reduce the risks of wildfire. When not used appropriately it can damage sensitive habitats such as peatlands and woodlands.

The muirburn licence will apply to all muirburn including that carried out on grouse moors, crofting areas, farmland and for conservation purposes. Any muirburn carried out will have to fit one of the licensable purposes set out in the Act. These are divided into those that apply to muirburn on peatland and those that apply to muirburn on non-peatland.

The licensable purposes for non-peatland include:

• to manage the habitats of game or wildlife
• to improve grazing potential for livestock
• for conservation of the natural environment
• to prevent or reduce the risk of wildfire causing damage to habitats, people or property
• and for research

Peatland licensable purposes include:

• for restoring natural environments
• for preventing or reducing the risk of wildfires damaging habitats, people or property
• and for research

The licence holder will be the landowner or individual/s who are responsible for and involved with carrying out muirburn.

We are working on the basis of having the licence and the Code of Practice available ahead of the 2025 muirburn season.

The licence application will be an online process. It will require maps of the areas where muirburn is planned along with details of the licensable purpose being applied for, and whether the muirburn will be on peatland or non-peatland. A non-digital application will be available for anyone not able to access the online system.

We are working with stakeholders through a Muirburn Code Working Group to revise the current Muirburn Code. The Code will set out the regulatory requirements associated with muirburn and will provide links to Best Practice guidance. Compliance with the Code will be a condition of the licence.

The wildlife trapping licence is being introduced to help ensure that certain wildlife traps are used in accordance with the law.

The licence will apply to traps covered by the Spring Traps Approval Order for mammals (e.g. DOC and Magnum traps) and live cage traps for birds e.g. Larsen traps. Trapping birds for ringing purposes is controlled separately through a BTO licence.

The licence holder will be the individual who is responsible for setting and deploying the trap(/s). The licence holder will need to have undertaken an assured training course.

We aim to introduce the licence early in 2025, subject to an announcement by the Scottish Government. 

The licence will be a simple online process similar to the current process to register larsen traps. As with other licences there will be a non-digital version available for anyone not able to access the online system.