The Scottish Wildlife Trust has made the largest acquisition in its 60-year history, thanks to an anonymous £17.5 million gift. The private donation from an unnamed donor has allowed the Trust to purchase the 18,824-acre Inverbroom estate near Ullapool in the North West Highlands, which is larger in scale than the city of Dundee.
The Trust has announced several ambitions for the site, including the regeneration of the river woodland and temperate rainforest habitat, restoration of peatlands and removal of invasive species. It has stated that none of the work at Inverbroom will be funded through the sale of carbon credits.
The site is predominantly made up of peatland, ancient woodland and farmland, with a number of lochs, lochans (small lochs) and Munros punctuating the landscape. The largest body of water on site is the 2.5-mile-long Loch a’ Bhraoin. Also on site are two bridges designed by former Inverbroom owner Sir John Fowler, chief engineer on the construction of the Forth Rail Bridge.
The project will involve the restoration of the peatland, which makes up 70 per cent of the landscape. The Trust will also create new woodlands along the riverbanks to improve conditions for otters, Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel and other wildlife. Sat within Scotland’s temperate rainforest zone, Inverbroom will undergo expansion and restoration of its rainforest habitats, improving water and air quality.
Deer management will also be a key factor of the Trust's work on Inverbroom, as well as the removal of invasive non-native species such as Rhododendron ponticum. Natural woodland regeneration will be supported by native tree planting.
It plans to work alongside local farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices. “There is an incredible diversity of wildlife on the estate, from sea-level to 3,300ft, from seals on the shore to ptarmigan on the tops,” says Scott Renwick, whose family has farmed at Inverbroom for three generations. “It is exciting to be involved with a highly respected organisation who will take traditional hill farming and wildlife preservation hand in hand, so that we can continue to farm at Inverbroom in such a way as to protect the natural environment.”
“The site includes some of Scotland’s most iconic species and habitats, so we are delighted to have been able to secure it for the benefit of Scotland’s wildlife and people, especially as there was also interest from overseas buyers,” Scottish Wildlife Trust’s chief executive Jo Pike says. “It has all been made possible by the incredible generosity of a private donor who is passionate about the part that Inverbroom can play in restoring our precious ecosystems, while delivering benefits for local people.”
Top image: Loch a’ Bhraoin at Inverbroom. Credit: Landfor
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