NEWS: Glenlivet Estate News
Black Grouse Lekking
Plans to provide viewing opportunities for seeing black grouse at a lek site on the Glenlivet Estate are currently being developed. Black grouse are a familiar sight in this area on hill and rough grazing land on moorland margins and upland woods, where they benefit from a range of food sources including buds and plant shoots, flowers, insects and spiders. Their distribution is now much reduced across large areas of the UK principally as a consequence of habitat loss and fragmentation but they are found in relatively large numbers on the Glenlivet Estate, where extensive farming practices, predator control and an integrated mix of unimproved pasture and moorland help create highly suitable habitat for these enigmatic birds.
Each spring groups of male black grouse take part in complex communal displays known as ‘leks.’ Lekking as it is known, occurs at traditional sites in the early morning and at dusk, generally on open grazed grass patches adjacent to rushes or tall grasses within meadow land, open woodland or on moorland, where the birds perform a ritualistic dance to attract and impress the females usually lying hidden nearby in adjacent cover. There is a growing demand from birdwatchers and naturalists for watching this rare bird as it performs this fascinating and unusual display but this can sometimes cause undue disturbance to the birds breeding cycle or cause them to relocate. Wildlife tourism is providing more and more opportunities for economic development in remote rural communities and we are keen to work in partnership with wildlife experts, the RSPB and local people to establish a well managed, controlled viewing experience that can attract additional visitors to the area and promote greater understanding and enjoyment of this enthralling bird behaviour. For information on the organised tours to watch black grouse or see other wildlife on the estate please contact David Newland on 590241 or go to www.glenlivet-wildlife.co.uk
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‘Wolf’s Lair’ facelift now complete
A 5 year project to renovate the grounds and ruins of the 14 th Century Drumin Castle on the Glenlivet Estate and to make this mysterious and attractive building accessible to the public has now been completed. This fascinating and important historical landmark was once a stronghold of Alexander Stewart (1342-1406), otherwise known as ‘The Wolf of Badenoch’ – a man noted for his temper and harsh justice and remembered for the sacking and burning of Elgin Cathedral (1390) as part of a long term feud with the Bishop of Moray. Following centuries of deterioration and historically plundered for its stone, the castle lay out of bounds for many years until local farm tenant Cathy Reid (in whose garden the castle sits) instigated the stabilisation and renovation project, to prevent this valuable cultural heritage asset from further deterioration.
This £300,000 initiative managed and developed by Smiths Gore and the Glenlivet Ranger Service has been funded by The Crown Estate, Historic Scotland, Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise, Moray Council and the EU Community Economic Development Programme. “The project and has involved the complete re-pointing and repair of the castle walls and adjacent walled garden, the restoration of the impressive lower vault of the castle, the construction of a new car park, new footpaths, landscaping and interpretation works” says Andrew Wells the Countryside and Forest Services manager for the Rural Estates.
Following an opening ceremony scheduled for this coming summer, the Castle is set to become an important visitor attraction on the Glenlivet Estate and will hopefully become an established part of the popular Grampian Castle Trail. Very sadly Cathy died last October and while she did not live to see the works finally complete she was absolutely delighted at the improvements that had been made and felt tremendously proud of the part she played in the care and protection of one of Glenlivet’s most interesting ancient monuments. Plans to illuminate the castle walls during winter evenings are currently on hold but further consultation will take place with local community members later this year to discuss how this can be taken forward. Further information about the castle can be found at www.drumin.com
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Staff Changes in the Tomintoul Office
The Crown Estate has recently undertaken a business restructuring exercise across all of its Rural, Marine and Urban departments. As part of the Rural Review Andy Wells, formerly the Glenlivet Estate Head Ranger has been given a new role as Countryside and Forestry Services Manager for the Rural Estate. Andy will be based at the Tomintoul Office and will continue to oversee the operation of the Glenlivet Estate Ranger Service and be involved in the management of access facilities, countryside infrastructure, educational services and community projects at Glenlivet. However the new role will also involve overseeing the development and management of The Crown Estate’s forestry properties and countryside services on several of the rural estates throughout the UK . Jenny Charlton has been appointed full-time to assist with the administration of the Glenlivet Estate Office and provide additional back up and support for the Ranger Service, which also means the office is more regularly staffed to help deal with enquiries. Following Geoff Charlton’s recent road accident which is going to keep him off work for several months, Tim Ransom has been appointed as temporary seasonal ranger to fill in for Geoff while he is recovering. Tim lives in Nethy Bridge and has extensive experience of working as a ranger elsewhere. We all wish Geoff a speedy and full recovery.
Glenlivet forest management receives exemplary report
A recent audit of Glenlivet Estate Forest management has been given an exemplary report by the auditors from SGS Qualifor who inspect The Crown Estate’s forest management activities against the standards set out in the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS). These standards ensure that forests are managed in a sustainable way and meet a wide range of social, environmental and recreational benefits. The report highlights the work that has been done at Glenlivet to restructure the estate woodlands, develop recreational infrastructure, undertake community consultation and pursue multi-purpose forest management objectives.
For further details and information about any of the Estate management activities, please contact the Estate Office Tel: 01807 580283 E: andrew.wells@thecrownestate.co.uk
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