Dupplin Estate

“I suspect that there will be few estates in Scotland, maybe even in the UK, that cater as well, either consciously or incidentally, for wildlife”

(Stewart, 2019)

Dupplin estate is actively committed to long term wildlife habitat management. From badgers to bats, birds of prey to invertebrate and a diverse range flora and fungi, the estate is home to all kinds of wildlife.

Alan Stewart’s book Walking with Wildlife – a year on a Scottish estate (2019)[1], provides a fascinating account of a year walking on Dupplin estate recording the changes in farming practice, the environment and our varied wildlife.

We are committed to managing our land in a sustainable and positive way, for people and for wildlife. You can find out more about the different ways we do this below or take a look at our Wildlife Gallery.

Red Squirrel Conservation

We are working with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels to help ensure that red squirrels continue to be a part of the local area and Scotland’s native wildlife.

While 75% of the UK’s remaining red squirrels are found in Scotland, their numbers have fallen drastically in recent decades to just 120,000.

This is mainly due the spread of the non-native grey squirrel, which was first introduced from North America in the late 1800s. Grey squirrels also carry squirrelpox, a virus that doesn’t harm them but is deadly to reds.

We are helping by monitoring squirrel numbers across the estate, managing the impact of squirrelpox if it arises, and helping to combat the spread of grey squirrels.

Wild Bee Habitat Project

This project aims to safeguard our local pollinators – the bumblebees, butterflies, solitary bees and honeybees, beetles, moths and hoverflies which all play a part in pollinating our fruit, vegetables and crops.

SSSI Methven Moss Conservation Area

“At the roadside a red kite floated over my head from the woodlands of Methven Moss”

 (Stewart, 2019)

Methven Moss is a large area of raised bog totalling 88 hectares. Raised bogs provide a unique home for a wealth of plants, animals and insects. They also provide an important feeding and stopping-off point for native and migrating birds.

Methven Moss forms an important ecological link between sites in the Central Belt and the scattered, drier sites of the Grampian Plain.

Careful management helps to prevent non-invasive species and encourages existing native species to flourish.

Woodland Management

The estate woodlands are varied comprising ancient woodlands, new woodlands of native trees and mature conifer forests.

We have produced a 20-year strategic management plan to deliver long term [environmental, ecological and social] benefits through sustainable and sensitive forest management.

We produce woodchip and logs from our woodlands to supply biomass district heating schemes on the estate.  These schemes provide sustainable heat to both our business and tenants.

Farmland Management

“There was a grassy end rig round the field that made both for easy walking and gave the added chance for birds such as partridge, skylarks, curlew and mallard duck to nest”

(Stewart, 2019)

Managing the farmland as part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme to benefit wildlife has provided food and habitat for insects, birds and small mammals – such as grey partridge, sedge warblers, spotted flycatchers, brown hares, field voles and beetles.

Wildlife Gallery

Take a look at just some of the wildlife spotted and photographed by Malcolm Harcus in the gallery below.

[1] Stewart, A. (2019). Walking with Wildlife – a year on a Scottish estate. Thirsty Books Edinburgh.

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