Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 10 on 5/9/2003.

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Taking care of the countryside

HAYLEY FLETCHER DISCOVERS HOW ONE HIGHLAND ESTATE IS BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TRADITIONAL SPORTS AND MORE MODERN ACTIVITIES

The tiny white church of St John the Baptist is beautiful in its simplicity, yet strikingly unusual with its plain glass windows. It was commissioned in 1913 by the 11th Laird of Rothiemurchus, who deemed that stained glass be abandoned in favour of plain windows “so as not to detract from the glory of the surrounding woodland.”

Putting the countryside first is a way of life for the custodians of Rothiemurchus, a privately-owned estate that thrives in the shadows of the Cairngorm mountains near Aviemore in Inverness-shire.

Covering more than 12,000 hectares of Highland soil encompassing ancient Caledonian pine forests, lochs and moorland – not to mention an unbelievable array of wildlife – the estate works hard to conserve and maintain its natural assets.

Thankfully it does not go unappreciated, as the estate is open to visitors all year for pursuits as diverse as quad biking, cheese tasting, salmon fishing and dog sledding.

The estate has been in the hands of the Grant family for over 500 years, and is run by the 14th Laird, Johnnie Grant.

He has had the double challenge of re-inventing some aspects of the estate to continue to appeal to visitors whilst maintaining the beauty and habitats of the land for future generations.

“Whilst we offer the traditional sporting pursuits found on Highland estates such as shooting, stalking and fishing, it has been important to diversify in the lowland areas to ensure that the estate continues to appeal to the wider public,” he says......

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By Hayley Fletcher

Section : Contemporary Scotland

Page number : 24