The Black Grouse - Whisky with a wild side - 29th February, 2012

The Black Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky and the RSPB are joining forces to launch a series of exclusive whisky tastings combined with the opportunity to watch one of the most exciting nature spectacles in Britain. Back by popular demand, the black grouse safaris will run Friday to Sunday for the whole month of April at Corrimony nature reserve, which occupies 1,530 hectares of stunning moorland and Caledonian forest south-west of Inverness.

The black grouse safaris at RSPB Corrimony nature reserve offer the opportunity to view one of Britain’s most strikingly beautiful game birds as they perform in an extraordinary courtship ritual known as lekking. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to hear how a unique partnership was formed between
The Black Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky and the RSPB in 2008. Since then a total of £300,000 has been raised towards the conservation effort, and a further £150,000 has been committed to fund work on five reserves across the UK over the next three years. This brings the total amount donated to £450,000. Nature enthusiasts will also be invited to an in-depth nosing and tasting of the The Famous Grouse Family - including The Black Grouse, The Snow Grouse and The Famous Grouse.

Since the beginning of the partnership, £74,000 has been donated to the Corrimony nature reserve from sales of the whisky to fund the urgently required conservation. Over the past year, £13,000 has helped fund planting over 20,000 trees, restructuring over 200 hectares of woodland, felling over 30 hectares of exotic trees, cutting and burning of heather moor, managing cattle, undertaking black grouse counts and offering local landowners advice.

Simon McLaughlin, RSPB Corrimony nature reserve site manager said: “In the UK the black grouse has experienced large declines in both range and numbers, so there are few opportunities to see the bird’s up-close.  This safari offers the chance to see a truly unique and awe-inspiring sight, which we hope will raise awareness about the plight of this beautiful bird. We look forward to welcoming both nature and whisky fans.”

Glen Gribbon, Director of The Famous Grouse said: “We are delighted to see the money from the sales of our whisky being used to fund the fantastic work at the Corrimony nature reserve. We hope visitors will enjoy raising a dram to this remarkable bird! ”

All safaris will start at 6am from the Cannich Village Hall and will be led by RSPB staff. The safari will last 2 ½ hours and includes breakfast at Bog Cotton Café. Everyone attending will also receive a free miniature* of The Black Grouse and an invitation to a tutored nosing and tasting of The Famous Grouse range. The tastings will take place at Glenurquhart House Hotel every Saturday in April from 8pm.

To book a black grouse safari email blackgrousesafaris@rspb.org.uk or phone 01463 715 000. For more information please visit www.rspb.org.uk/events.

* For those over 18 only

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