Like it or not it has to be admitted that this group of birds more than any other has shaped much of the landscape of Scotland. Amongst them it is Red Grouse that is king. This bird more than any other has become synonymous with managed heather moors which occupy vast tracts of upland Scotland. The Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus)is an endemic subspecies of Willow Grouse which differing slightly in its appearance & behaviour is probably well on its way to becoming a new species.
Other, more exotic gamebirds have been introduced to increase the range of 'sport' available to hunters & some of these birds such as Pheasants have established themselves in the wild.
It is however the various wild species of grouse native to Scotland which are the most spectacular & interesting by far!