Sustainability on Atholl
Farming
Atholl Estates farms, Milton of Tulliemet, Clunebeg and Balanloan, (home farm to Blair Castle) follow the principles of regenerative and organic agriculture to improve the soil health of the ground, the natural health of our animals and the biodiversity of the holding. We want our farms to be as full of life as possible, and to be a key part of life within the workings of Atholl Estates.
Energy
Atholl Estates has 5 run of river hydro power stations generating around 2.5mw of electricity and a number of solar installations, the primary one being a 140kw scheme at the Blair Castle Caravan Park. In 2025 the electricity generated supplied approximately one third of the caravan parks electricity with approximately 40% of electricity generated exported into the National Grid.
Woodland Creation
Atholl Estates manages around 15,000 acres of woodland and in the last few years has created 5 significant new native broadleaf woodlands. This has resulted in the planting of 2 million trees across approximately 2,000 hectares. The trees planted are oak, cherry, aspen, alder, willow, Scots pine, birch, holly, juniper and rowan. These schemes are across moorlands and will create a wealth of new habitats increasing the estates biodiversity. Atholl Estates has a long history of being at the forefront of Scottish forestry and more information can be found on the forestry page.
Peatland Restoration
Atholl Estates is undergoing an extensive peatland restoration programme which has been in operation for a number of years. To date the estate has restored around 1,500 hectares of peatland. This means that ditches are blocked up, which were dug in the Victorian era and again in the 1960’s to improve grazing. The peaty area is then rewetted and returned to a bog, offering a different type of semi wetland habitat that locks the carbon into the ground, as opposed to letting it get washed away by the drains. The benefit of peatland restoration beyond carbon storage is also that it is an effective flood mitigation tool and hopefully a natural fire break as wild fire risks increase.
Forestry
All our woodlands are managed under the UK Woodland Assurance Standard which is an independent certification standard for verifying sustainable woodland management. The forests of Atholl provide many benefits to the local community and wildlife, our forestry plans take in the fact they are a popular local asset and protecting the aesthetics of them play a large part in our forestry planning. Our forestry team are actively moving towards a more European model of continuous cover forestry as our woodlands mature.
Properties
The majority of Atholl Estates properties are old buildings that are let to full time residents. Within the constrictions of a heritage portfolio we are insulating properties to improve EPC and converting their heating source to cleaner fuels. We are rolling out air source heat pumps and solar panels where appropriate.
Tourism
Whether it be Blair Castle, our Historic Lodges or the caravan park, we are where possible reducing our use of fossil fuels, improving insulation, increasing recycling facilities, better waste management and using only eco cleaning products. The castle restaurant and The Larder food store at the caravan park, promote local, Scottish and organic produce.
Blair Castle & Gardens are proud recipients of the Gold Green Tourism Award.
Ranger Service
Our ranger service helps maintain over 50 miles of waymarked trails, engages with team of volunteers and local children to help improve habitats and monitor the biodiversity through a range of surveys.
For more information on the ranger service and how to volunteer click the button below.