Wildlife trust buys massive £17.5m Highland estate

The estate has been described as covering an area bigger than the city of Dundee

A conservation charity has bought an 18,824-acre (7,618ha) Highland estate for £17.5m after receiving a large private donation.

Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) plans to regenerate native woodland, restore peatland and carry out nature-friendly farming on Inverbroom Estate.

The area of land near Ullapool, in the north west Highlands, is larger than the city of Dundee.

The donation that made the purchase possible was the largest in the trust's 60-year history.

The land is mostly made up of peatland, woodland, farmland and lochs, including 2.5-mile (4km) long Loch a' Bhraoin.

The wildlife includes otters and pine martens.

There are two bridges on the estate designed by Sir John Fowler, chief engineer on the construction of the Forth Road Bridge and a former owner of the estate.

SWT chief executive Jo Pike said: "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.

"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."

SWT said the farmland would be managed in a nature-friendly way

Most of the estate is made up of peatland

Scott Renwick's family have farmed at Inverbroom for three generations.

He said: "We as a family are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

"Our grandfather moved to Inverbroom in 1933, so the family have had a knowledge of the land for 92 years.

"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."

Mamta Patel, of Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust, said it was hoped plans for the estate would suit the wider community

Mamta Patel, of Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust, said the wider community would be watching developments on the estate with interest.

She said: "There will be questions and wonderings around what will it mean for things like the wider community needs - affordable housing, jobs and training and community transport.

"This is a thriving community with lots of entrepreneurial people who are trying to do things that are good for the community and the environment.

"So, I think it should sit well with that."