Sustainability

Candacraig was seen as a pioneer of modern silviculture in Scotland and led the way in the 1950’s, 60’s and into the early 1970’s developing commercial stands of timber. As small farm holdings were vacated they were often planted with Sitka and Norway Spruce, Scots and Lodgepole Pine with some Hybrid Larch added to remaining farms. Whilst the early forestry practice was driven by a need to produce domestic timber predominantly for construction, little thought was given to matters such as water quality, acidification, overshading of watercourses and loss of riparian habitat. Over the last 25 years much of the forestry policy has been driven by a desire to correct these mistakes and Candacraig now boasts many miles of pristine riparian zone. 

A mix of rotational woodland and permanent woodland cover is adopted to enhance the amenity, landscape and wildlife habitat. In 2010 Candacraig embarked on an ambitious woodland creation extending to 475 hectares of Native Pinewood. The seed provenance was carefully selected to ensure that it was the correct Scots Pine for the area and it has been exciting to witness it establishing. This native woodland will provide a home, we hope, for woodland grouse including capercaillie and other endangered species.

Whilst a smaller part of the overall business of the estate, the shooting, like on so many other rural estates, provides the impetus for enormous environmental gain. The planting of mixed and diverse woodlands has over the years created a wonderful habitat for songbirds, owls, sparrow hawks and goshawks as well as pine martin and other species too. Since 2015 Candacraig has planted over a dozen new and diverse woodlands which are now establishing and supporting a wide range of wildlife. The wider benefits of these woodland corridors to insect and amphibious life is evident for all to see. 

Candacraig's grouse moor is carefully managed for the benefit of moorland species. Practising muirburn and maintaining hill tracks preserves the wonderful heather mosaic which is iconic in Scotland. We have embarked on a challenging project to restore all degraded or eroded peat across the estate. To date have completed the restoration of more than 150 hectares through reprofiling peaty hags, constructing stone dams and blocking 10km of ditches. This is something that the estate is very proud of and work continues on the remaining areas. We hope to complete the project by 2025.

By operating a modest fieldsport business it permits an element of control over predators such as foxes, stoats, weasels, corvids etc. The benefit of this work carried out by the gamekeepers on Candacraig is profound and easily measurable when you count the hatching and rearing success of curlew, oyster catcher, golden plover, lapwing, black grouse, hen harriers, merlin, mountain and brown hares and many others.