February 2012

Glenlivet forest plan consultation begins

Members of the public are being invited to have their say on the future of the award winning commercial woodlands on the Glenlivet Estate, as part of a public consultation on management and enhancement of the forests over the next ten years.

The Crown Estate is currently reviewing the estate’s long- term forest plan with the Forestry Commission Scotland. The revised plan will outline how the woodlands will be managed to ensure they continue to contribute to the landscape and economy of Moray while ensuring they supply commercial timber well into the future.  

Over the last 25 years, The Crown Estate has worked to maximise the long- term productivity of the woodlands, including building an extensive forest road network to allow the felled timber to be transported. This also provides a well-used network of walking and cycling trails.

Many areas have also been felled and replanted to break up the woodland structure to provide a wide range of landscape, biodiversity, recreation and economic benefits. The current Glenlivet Estate long- term forest plan is at the end of its 10 year period. The new plan will cover activity from 2012 to 2022.

Andrew Wells, Head of Countryside Management at The Crown Estate said: “The Glenlivet forests are well integrated into the landscape and make a significant contribution to the local area, by providing employment, livestock shelter, habitats for wildlife and opportunities for recreation.

“There are currently several challenges, including the fact that many trees are reaching maturity and economic felling age, when they can become increasingly unstable and vulnerable in high winds. The next long- term plan will determine the next phase of felling and restructuring to ensure the forest can continue to provide a steady output of timber. We recognise that felling activities have an impact on landscape and other activities and we are keen to hear the views of local people, tenants and community groups to ensure that, wherever possible, we incorporate good ideas and address any particular concerns.” 

The draft plans will be on display for viewing at the Glenlivet Estate Office and Information Centre in Tomintoul between Monday 13 and Friday 17 February (from 9am to 5pm) and an open evening will be held on Thursday 16 February (from 4 to 7pm) when staff will be on hand to discuss the plans and answer any questions.

The draft long- term forest plan is also available at www.glenlivetestate.co.uk/ForestryManagement.htm

December 2011

£500,000 boost for Glenlivet following bike trail approval

Mountain biking facilities including a new mountain bike centre and dedicated bike trails on the Glenlivet Estate were approved by Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) officials on Friday (9 December).

The project, led by The Crown Estate, includes proposals to build new cross country bike trails in the Carn Daimh Forest, near Tomintoul.

Along with the trails The Crown Estate plans to build a small centre with space for a cafe, information area, toilets and car parking.  This will provide a direct opportunity for a new business operating a catering facility and other services for mountain bikers.  The Crown Estate, Moray Council, local businesses and members of the community who have supported the project, anticipate that the development of mountain biking has considerable potential to stimulate new business activity and aid the regeneration of Tomintoul.

The application was approved subject to conditions.

The Crown Estate’s Countryside Manager Vicky Hilton said: “I am delighted that our plans have been approved. The Crown Estate has been working hard over the past few years, with support from Moray Council Economic Development Department, to develop these proposals for mountain bike facilities that will provide a real boost to the local economy.

“The plans, which reflect comment and feedback from the local community, include a new mountain bike centre and trails. The project will help to create jobs and attract visitors to the Glenlivet and Tomintoul area.”

CNPA Board Member and Moray Councillor, Allan Wright, said: “I’m pleased to see an opportunity being taken to attract more people to the Glenlivet and Tomintoul area. If the bike trails are as good as we’re being told, mountain bikers will travel far for the experience.

“For the residents of Tomintoul, having such a facility on their doorstep will be something for them and tourists to enjoy. There should also be employment potential. For local businesses, I was encouraged by the public declaration from the developers that they would engage with business interests in the vicinity to ensure any marketing strategies for the trails encourage and maximise the delivery of ancillary benefits to Tomintoul, Glenlivet, and the wider area.”

CNPA Planning Officer, Mary Grier, added: “Interesting and challenging trails will be created from the existing landform rather than being man-made and will involve limited construction and minimal tree felling. We’ve also added a condition that the trail should be no wider than 1.2 metres, all of which helps to protect the surrounding forest and landscape.

“Currently both cyclists and walkers use the forest roads and the likelihood of conflict between the two has been identified as low.  The promotion of the new centre could attract more people to enjoy the outdoors in this area of the park and explore the existing network of paths.”

As part of the planning process a pre-application consultation was completed and the feedback from this used to adapt the original plans and take into account suggestions and concerns raised by the local community.

Funding for the £500,000 project is being provided by The Crown Estate, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cairngorms National Park Authority and Moray Council. 

September 2011

Schools forestry day

PRIMARY school children from across Moray took part in the Glenlivet Estate Schools Forestry Day on Thursday, September 15.

To celebrate ‘International Year of Forests’ dozens of youngsters explored the Glenlivet forest where they saw a working Harvester machine, demonstrations of a chainsaw being used, tried their hand with an old cross-cut saw and planted trees.

The Crown Estate’s Glenlivet Countryside Manager Vicky Hilton, said: “The forestry day gives children the chance to get involved in outdoor learning and understand the importance of forests and woodlands in the countryside through taking part in several hands on activities.”

Alongside estate staff and highly experienced foresters, youngsters will investigate all the forestry processes including tree planting, felling, processing wood, timber products and sustainable management.

Mike Libera, Senior Forest Manager with The Crown Estate, said: “Forestry is an increasingly important industry in Scotland and we see this as a great opportunity to inspire local children about forestry. Thanks to our partners Tomintoul Harvesting and Euroforest the pupils are able to meet local people who work in forestry and see these great machines working.”

Throughout the year the Glenlivet estate ranger service works with schools to deliver the Curriculum for Excellence through outdoor learning and engage pupils in discovering the working landscape. Glenlivet  staff are planning to run further estate open days in the future.

September 2011

Bike trail plans move forward

Plans to develop additional mountain biking facilities including a new mountain bike centre and dedicated bike trails on the Glenlivet Estate have been taken one step closer to reality after a revised planning application was submitted to Moray Council earlier this month.

The project, led by The Crown Estate, includes proposals to build new cross country bike trails in the Carn Daimh Forest, near Tomintoul. It is hoped the project will help to support local tourism businesses and aid economic development of this remote part of Moray, making it a key destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Along with the trails The Crown Estate plans to build a small centre with space for a cafe, information area, toilets and car parking.  This will provide a direct opportunity for a new business operating a catering facility and other services for mountain bikers.  The Crown Estate, Moray Council, local businesses and members of the community who have supported the project, anticipate that the development of mountain biking has considerable potential to stimulate new business activity and help with the regeneration of Tomintoul.

The Crown Estate’s Countryside Manager Vicky Hilton, said: “This project has been in the pipeline for several years and with the help of Moray Council, considerable efforts initially went in to securing the required funding support. A feasibility study was carried out and a leading trail designer was involved in preparing the project plans, which were the subject of extensive consultation within the local community. Additional economic impact assessments were carried out with the support of Highland and Islands Enterprise.”

As part of the planning process a pre-application consultation has been completed and the feedback from this used to adapt the original plans and take into account suggestions and concerns raised by the local community.

Funding for the £485,000 project is being provided by The Crown Estate, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cairngorms National Park Authority and Moray Council. 

July 2011

Volunteers improve Glenlivet facilities

Cadets from Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities Officer Training Corps recently volunteered their time this June to make improvements on the Glenlivet estate, as part of a Military Aid to the Civil Community (MACC) scheme.

The cadets carried out path works, built benches and a shelter at the newly improved Carrachs wetland in the Braes of Glenlivet, and reinstated a footbridge and improved the path to the Lecht mine, on Crown Estate land.

Glenlivet Estate Countryside Manager, Vicky Hilton said:

“The cadet volunteers were a great asset at Glenlivet and have allowed us to successfully complete some of the more labour-intensive tasks as part of our maintenance programme. Often these tasks are also best done by hand, rather than bringing machinery onto sensitive sites.”

The Crown Estate encourages visitors to explore its Glenlivet estate and provides a network of waymarked paths and trails to enable access to the countryside to enjoy the stunning scenery and local wildlife. 

July 2011

Forestry award for Glenlivet Estate

A new Scots pine woodland on The Crown Estate’s Glenlivet Estate has won an award in the New Native Woods category, presented at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards at the Royal Highland Show. The Altnaglander Wood in Strathavon – established in 2009 – was placed second in the competition.  The 47 hectare site was, at the time, the largest native woodland scheme submitted under Scotland’s Rural Development Programme.

A second stand (8.6 ha) of native woodland was planted a year later, funded through an innovative internal carbon off-set scheme. The cost of the planting was met entirely from ‘carbon funding’ from London’s Regent Street, also part of The Crown Estate, and was designed to compensate for the carbon emissions from Regent Street’s Christmas lights.  The funding was ratified through the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management and conforms with the Forestry Commission’s Carbon Code.

The Crown Estate’s Head of Countryside Management, Andrew Wells said: “Planting at Altnaglander  started  two years ago through local community  efforts at an event organised by the Glenlivet Ranger Service to support the BBC Breathing Spaces Tree o’clock world record attempt.  During the event, 29 volunteers planted 2,250 trees in one hour, giving the Altnaglander Wood a great start and raising awareness of the project.

“A further 78,500 birch, rowan, Scot’s pine, willow and alder were planted across the site, which adjoins an existing area of ancient semi-natural woodland (predominately birch).  The species were selected to complement those in the adjacent woodland and for their suitability to the site’s conditions. Adjacent to the western edge of the site is a mature conifer plantation which in the future will be restructured to remove the non-native species, retaining only Scots pine, and creating an additional native woodland habitat.

“A variety of wildlife is present in the Altnaglander area, and this new native woodland supports and encourages the area’s biodiversity.  A number of rare species use the area including golden eagle, wildcat, and pine marten. Natural regeneration of native tree species is also encouraged on the open areas within the planting scheme. 

“The woodland site has a car park and picnic area, and an existing waymarked moorland trail which passes through the native woodland, with temporary interpretation installed alongside the path.  In time, as the trees become established we intend to create a new circular path within the woodland, with interpretation panels and a native woodland leaflet.”

Near to the Altnaglander woodland is an historic settlement, the ‘Altnaglander township’, consisting of ruins and field systems.  Following an archaeological survey, the planting scheme was adapted to protect the site. 

The new woodland will ultimately help to increase native woodland cover on the Glenlivet Estate and protect areas of juniper, helping to complement the extensive forest plantations elsewhere on the Estate. The Crown Estate adopts a long term multi-purpose management policy towards woodland management at Glenlivet and this scheme is part of ongoing efforts to diversify woodland, enhance the landscape and promote the local forest economy.

February 2011

Glenlivet farmers giving barn owls a home to nest

The Crown Estate is encouraging farmers on the Glenlivet Estate to give barn owls a home to help their population recover from recent harsh winters, as part of a nest box project being organised by the Glenlivet Estate Ranger Service.

The project, launched this week to coincide with National Nest Box week (see note 1) will see The Crown Estate’s Glenlivet Ranger Service building special barn owl boxes, and installing these across the Estate in partnership with farming tenants.

The boxes will be installed in pairs – one indoor box in a barn on the steading and a second, outdoor box on a tree.  Barn owls are expected to use the boxes for roosting over the winter, or for breeding in, although it can be a number of years before successful breeding occurs.

The Glenlivet rangers will monitor the boxes and submit their findings to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Nest Record Scheme, which monitors the breeding success of countryside birds nationally.

Over the last 50 years the barn owl population UK wide has declined partly due to changes in farming practices and partly due to lack of nesting sites, as modern farm buildings usually lack a suitable space for birds to nest in.

Thanks to habitat improvement works such as tree and hedge planting that have been happening for a number of years on the estate and farms, the habitats these owls hunt in, such as rough grassland, hedgerows and tree plantations are on the increase.

Vicky Hilton, Countryside Manager for Glenlivet Estate, explained why providing the barn owl boxes is important:

 "Glenlivet does already have a few breeding pairs of barn owls, so creating artificial nest sites could make a real difference to this species,  as we can provide the nest sites that are missing in today’s modern barns.  Barn owls are really struggling at the moment, the recent harsh winters have taken their toll, with owls dying due to not finding sufficient food and those that have survived are not in good enough condition to breed successfully.”

The Crown Estate is committed to working on improving the biodiversity on all its rural estates and this is just one example of the type of project work being undertaken by its staff and managing agents.

November 2010

Bike trail plans funding boost for Glenlivet

Plans to create 39km of mountain bike trails through Glenlivet Estate are one step closer today with the confirmation of European funding.

The project, led by The Crown Estate, to develop a centre and new trails in the Carn Daimh Forest, near Tomintoul, has been awarded £178,467 from the European Regional Development Fund (Highland & Islands Partnership Programme). 

With funding already committed by other partners – The Crown Estate (£242,000), Moray Council (£30,000) and the Cairngorms National Park Authority (£35,700) - the proposals, which could breathe new life into one of Moray’s most remote areas and make it a key mountain biking destination, look set to progress.

Commenting on the news, The Crown Estate’s Glenlivet Countryside Manager Vicky Hilton, said:

“The proposed bike trail will be an all year round attraction bringing business opportunities, tourists and employment to the area. While boosting the local economy, the plans reflect our commitment to managing sensitive environmental areas. We are delighted that we now have the initial funding package in place and are able to start developing the project further, subject to planning permission.”

Along with the trails The Crown Estate plans to build a small centre with space for a cafe, information area, toilets and car parking.  This will provide a direct opportunity for a new business operating a catering facility and potentially also a retail outlet.  The project would bring much needed investment to the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area.

Following a public consultation last year, three quarters of respondents were in favour of the proposals to develop a mountain bike centre. The initial plans have been revised in line with the funding now available and in response to comments made during the consultation. 

Councillor John Russell, chairman of Moray Council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee, welcomed the announcement of the ERDF funding.

He said: “Mountain biking facilities with challenging trails are recognised as an important ingredient in the development of Moray’s tourism assets. I congratulate the Glenlivet Estate team for their vision and their hard work in constructing a successful business case for European funding.”

Read more about the project and plans here

October 2010

Glenlivet Primary pupils and The Crown Estate celebrate good forestry

School children took delivery of a whole tree from Glenlivet Estate and then made things for their school playground today, to mark this year’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Friday [01 October 2010], a weekend celebrating good forestry management.

Pupils at Glenlivet Primary School used the tree to create benches for, their playground and insect boxes for their wildlife garden

FSC Friday aims to raise awareness of the FSC accreditation scheme and to encourage people to look for the logo when buying wood or paper products.

This in turn encourages foresters to work for and maintain high standards in sustainable woodland management.

The project was the idea of Vicky Hilton, Countryside Manager for The Crown Estate’s Glenlivet Estate. She explained why they organised the event:

“We want children to understand where wood comes from, how it’s used and processed and why it’s important to make sure it comes from a well managed forest.

“We’re also educating them to look out for the FSC logo on timber products such as furniture so that forests in the UK and abroad are managed for the long term, to benefit future generations.”

Shirley Stuart, Principal teacher at Glenlivet School said:

“Using a real tree to make things for the school is a fantastic way for the children to learn where the products around them come from. It also gets them thinking about the future of forests and woodlands in the UK and abroad.”

Having witnessed the complete ‘chain of custody’ (the traceable route of certified wood) from raw material through to finished product, the pupils completed the project by producing their own FSC certification signs, featuring the ‘FSC tick tree’ logo for their newly built products.

This project was just one of several year-round initiatives that The Crown Estate staff organise to encourage children and schools groups to visit the forests and countryside to learn more about various land management practices.

September 2010

Benefits of woodland award branch out to Moray schools

Two Moray primary schools have been given £300 each to spend on children’s outdoor learning.

Glenlivet Estate, managed by The Crown Estate, made the donations to Tomintoul Primary School and Glenlivet Primary School after winning £300 for excellence in forestry practice and then matching it with the equivalent from its own funds.

The Glenlivet Estate won The Dulverton Flagon trophy in June for diversity and innovation in Scotland’s Finest Woods Silver Jubilee Awards, held to celebrate the best of the best in forestry practice over the last 25 years.

The adventure playground at Tomintoul was considered particularly noteworthy by the judges, who described Glenlivet as a “dynamic, well run estate which is continually innovating,” and praised staff for their enthusiastic engagement with local communities.

The Glenlivet Estate team already runs a busy outreach and education programme with local schools and they wanted to mark their Award by spreading the benefits to local schools.

Head of Countryside Management at The Crown Estate, Andrew Wells, said how pleased he was that Glenlivet had won the award and explained why they’d made the £300 donations to local primary schools:

“These donations are a demonstration of our commitment to improving the woodlands over the long term and ensuring they have a viable future.  

“Engaging the communities that live within the estate is an important part of that.

“We already work closely with these local schools and know just how enthusiastic they are about the environment and outdoor learning, so we know they’ll put the money to good use!”

Nancy Fraser, Head Teacher of both Tomintoul and Glenlivet primary schools, said:

“We’re very lucky to be situated within The Crown Estate where the rangers provide us with a great deal of support to enhance the children’s outdoor learning. 

“The money we’ve received today will be used to further develop our programme which is all about learning and having fun outdoors.”

July 2010

Glenlivet Estate staff thank visitors for open day success

An open day allowing Moray and Highland residents a behind-the-scenes glimpse of modern land management succeeded in attracting 60 visitors to the award-winning Glenlivet Estate.

Guests were taken on a number of tours within the 23,000 hectare estate to see activities such as forest harvesting, conservation works, game management, and the day-to-day running of Ruthven Farm. Competitions and activities for children also took place as part of the event, which was held on Saturday 3 July.

Staff from The Crown Estate and managing agents Smiths Gore highlighted recent developments in the area, while future plans were also discussed across a number of areas including biodiversity, recreation and access, community involvement, education, and enterprise.

Vicky Hilton, Countryside Manager at Glenlivet Estate, said the support and involvement of local communities was crucial to the estate’s future development.

“It is integral to our work at Glenlivet that we have an open exchange of ideas and comments from residents and we would like to thank visitors who made the open day such an informative and enjoyable event,” she said.

The Open Day followed the estate being held up as an exemplar for diversity and innovation in Scotland’s Finest Woods Silver Jubilee Awards, held to celebrate the best of the best in forestry practice over the last 25 years

June 2010

Access facilities on The Glenlivet Estate have been further improved, thanks to an army of University Officer Cadets.

The 32 Cadets from the Tayforth Universities Officers Training Corps (TUOTC) have spent two days at the Glenlivet Estate working to rebuild and improve facilities on the estate including: refurbishing a footbridge on a trail at Glenmulliach forest; repairing flood damaged steps by Packhorse bridge car park; installing new benches and creating footpaths.  More...

February 2010

Glenlivet gets ready for spring

The Crown Estate Countryside Rangers at Glenlivet Estate are helping local wildlife get ready for spring as they put up over a dozen bird boxes made by local community groups.

Tomintoul Youth Club and pupils from the rural skills course at Speyside High School joined forces with the Countryside Rangers and the Glenlivet Wildlife Recording group over the winter months to make bird and bat boxes. More...

December 09

Glenlivet Estate installs eagle ‘des-res’ to attract iconic birds

A bespoke nesting platform has been built on the Glenlivet Estate in a bid to attract more breeding pairs of golden eagles to make it their home.

The project was undertaken by North-East Scotland RaptorWatch, a partnership involving RSPB Scotland, Grampian Police, Scottish Natural Heritage and Cairngorms National Park Authority. The Glenlivet Estate is one of 22 working with RaptorWatch to try and improve breeding numbers of golden eagles, peregrines and hen harriers in Scotland’s north-east.  More....

December 09

Tree o'clock

Crown Estate properties across Scotland recently joined in a world record attempt to plant 1 million trees across the UK in one hour.

At Glenlivet Estate, twenty nine volunteers helped plant an impressive 2,250 trees to start what will be a new 40 hectare native Caledonian woodland near Altnaglander.  More...

November 09

Glenlivet Estate celebrates green tourism award

The Crown Estate has won a major industry award in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards held recently.

The Glenlivet Estate which is part of The Crown Estate, won the Green Award category. The Green Award recognises organisations or groups which are proactive in raising awareness of the environment, adopts high standards of sustainable business management and have a strong involvement in local conservation activities.  More...

Sept 09

A tree came to school today

Pupils at Tomintoul Primary School have used a tree from a local Crown Estate forest to create benches and flower tubs for their playground. The project was the idea of Vicky Hilton, Countryside Manager for The Crown Estate’s Glenlivet Estate.

Vicky said: “We wanted to support the ‘FSC Friday’ event being run by the Forest Stewardship Council, which  aims to raise awareness of the FSC logo as a mark of responsible forestry and highlight the fact that forests and woodlands in the UK and internationally need to be well-managed. More...

June 2009

Long Service Award for Crown Estate man after 44 years on Fochabers Estate

A well known Morayshire man who spent his working life with The Crown Estate was presented with a Long Service Award on his retirement this week. Jimmy Gordon joined The Crown Estate in 1965. He retires from his position as foreman of the Fochabers and Glenlivet Estates maintenance squad after 44 years, a period that saw him move from salmon fishing into joinery and finally to team management.

More...

June 2009

Expanded plans for Scalan seminary
Following discussions between The Crown Estate and the Scalan Association, the association has to purchased the old Scalan farmhouse and arranged a long-lease further grounds to protect and enhance the historic seminary of Scalan and its surroundings in the Braes of Glenlivet. The seminary has long been a place of pilgrimage for many, and attracts visitors from all over the world because of its importance to the Catholic Church in Scotland. The Association has carried out renovations to the building in recent years and had been keen to secure ownership of the additional building and management of the wider site to allow future improvements to be carried out. More...

May 2009

Glenlivet event focuses on plight of the water vole

The Crown Estate and the Cairngorms Water Vole Conservation Project are teaming up to celebrate National Biodiversity Week with a community event looking at water vole conservation at Glenlivet Estate.   The event, to be held on Thursday 21 May, at the Glenlivet Estate Office in Tomintoul and will start at 10am with an introductory talk about water voles and the work of the project.  The group will then move outside to get hands-on and learn about how to find water voles in the wild. More...

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