Restrictions have been relaxed for shooting

Air Commodore Simon Bostock from the association said: "The downside of foot-and-mouth was that restrictions prevented some gamekeepers from inspecting the nests of the chicks.

"On the other hand, there is anecdotal evidence in the honey-pot tourist areas that, because of the restrictions stopping people walking in the countryside, the moors have been very quiet.

'Delighted'

The rise in stocks is also put down to a colder winter, which killed off parasitic worms, and a warmer spring improving the survival rates of chicks.

Commodore Bostock said: "We are delighted because we have had three or four very poor seasons due in large part to mild winters and wet summers."

There are also more grouse in Scotland this year.

The Heather Trust, which monitors grouse levels there, reports that stocks are up in the Lammermuirs and Moorfoots, Dumfriesshire, Ayrshire and Perthshire.