Useful Links
Estates:
Rural organisations, Government and others:
Estates:
Abercorn Estates
Barons Court is the home of the Duke of Abercorn, situated in a sheltered valley in the foothills of the Sperrin mountains in Northern Ireland's County Tyrone, Baronscourt, has been in the family since 1612, is one of the few remaining estates in Northern Ireland. This vibrant working farm, rural business, and estate combine great historical and architectural interest with a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. Belle Isle Estate www.belleislecastle.com is an award winning tourist destination set on its own island in Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland.
Alnwick Castle
At first sight, the glorious medieval castle of Alnwick can seem foreboding, and with its history lacking nothing in drama and intrigue, it has often been the location for films including Harry Potter, Elizabeth, Becket and Blackadder. Alnwick Castle, the 'Windsor of the North', is a living castle, still a family home after nearly 700 years and at the heart of a thriving estate and business which offers so much to see and do - history, art, landscape, shopping, exploring.....
Atholl Estates
Atholl Estates is one of Scotland's best known Highland estates, with a history dating back to the 13th century. Today it manages a range of operations in the tourism, events, forestry, farming, property and country sport sectors. Central to the Estates' aims are the preservation and enhancement of the natural, built and social environment.
Cadogan Estate
With two mixed enterprise estates in Perthshire and a presence in East Sutherland in addition to major property holdings in Chelsea for almost 300 years, the estate takes a strong and close interest in the quality of the buildings it creates and restores, and the environment in which they perform.
Dalhousie Estates
Brechin Castle has been the family home of the Earls of Dalhousie for over 250 years. The present Estates at Brechin, Edzell and Invermark range from fertile agricultural land in the vale of Strathmore to the heather moorland and mountains of Invermark, where the hills rise to 3,000 feet at Mount Keen, Scotland's most easterly "Munro".
Dalkeith Country Park
A ranger service operates at Dalkeith to help people enjoy the beauties of the countryside and the work of a country estate. Guided walks, talks and special school activities are available year round by arrangement, and topics include forestry, wildlife, landscape history and many others.
Drumlanrig Castle
Drumlanrig Castle, one of the first and most important renaissance buildings in the grand manner in Scotland, is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Completed in 1691, this unique and historic Scottish Castle is filled with treasures, and with its Estate and Gardens is one of the principal visitor attractions in South Scotland.
Eaton Estate
Eaton Hall, the family home of the Grosvenor Family since the 15th century, has been used as a Red Cross Hospital during both World Wars and as an Officer Cadet Training School until the end of National Service in 1960. It remains the 'the jewel in the Grosvenor crown', and is surrounded by an estate with residential and commercial properties, farms, woodland, and a deer park. The estate also comprises land in Sutherland.
Englefield Estate
The Englefield Estate consists of farmland, forestry, residential and commercial property in Berkshire, North Hampshire and London and also provides recreational space for people who live in neighbouring towns of Reading, Basingstoke and surrounding area. The Estate also has land in Inverness-shire.
Enjoy Estates
Did you know that Scotland's estates have a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages? Want to find out more but don't know where to start? Enjoy Estates provides all the information you need for a great day out.
Fasque & Glen Dye Estates
The two rural estates of Fasque and Glen Dye, in the foothills of the Highlands, have been owned by the Gladstone family since the early 1800s. The estate's heritage is ancient but its outlook modern, with varied interests ranging from farming organic chickens, to growing highest quality Christmas trees; from maintaining a network of paths for hill walkers to producing the finest sustainable timber; and offering the most challenging field sports.
Floors Castle and Gardens
Floors Castle, heartland of the Roxburghe Estate and home to the family since it was built in 1721, overlooks the River Tweed and lies on the opposite river bank to Roxburgh Castle, once the strongest fortress along the former march with England. The Estate plays host to a splendid countryside - oyster catchers, herons and green plover on the River Tweed and greater spotted wood peckers, tree creepers, goldcrests, tawny owls and red squirrels in the woodlands, along with magnificent mature oak, lime and sweet chestnut trees which survive from the time of Daniel Defoe's visit in the 18th century.
Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle is first and foremost a family home. With contents spanning many generations of the Campbell family, the Castle offers a glimpse of Scotland's heritage and the way our ancestors lived. History can often be lost through the years, but at Inveraray the past has been chronicled over the decades so that it can be shared with future generations.
Lothian Estates
Lothian Estates in the Scottish Borders is home to a variety of built and natural heritage, and provides a great day out for all the family. Visit Ferniehirst Castle or take a walk in the beautiful gardens of Monteviot House; fish for salmon and trout on the River Teviot; or watch wicker weavers at work and shop for local artists' products
Mansfield Estates
Scone Palace, the home of the Earls of Mansfield, breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland. Fifteen hundred years ago, it was the capital of the Pictish kingdom and the centre of the ancient Celtic church. In the intervening centuries, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of Kings. It has housed the Stone of Destiny and been immortalised in Shakespeare's Macbeth. It is now a major visitor attraction.
Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course
Awarded "Scottish Country House Hotel of the Year" 2005, the hotel nestles privately amongst woodlands on the banks of the River Teviot. The Scottish Borders is renowned for the quality of its fish, meat and game and local produce is used to good effect to produce a standard of quality food in keeping with the tranquility and sophistication of the hotel. The championship Golf Course, adjacent to the hotel, is the 5th top inland course in Scotland. This working country estate also offers salmon fishing, shooting and mountain biking.
Seafield and Strathspey Estates
For generations the Seafield family has had the privilege and responsibility of managing large areas of rural Scotland. The estates have made a significant contribution in the past to rural land use and this positive management continues. Today, there are family estates in the lowland district of Cullen on the Moray Firth and in Strathspey with its particular Highland charm and beauty. Seafield takes seriously its responsibilities towards stewardship of the countryside and believes that by working in partnership with others who share the goal of conservation of natural heritage, the countryside can deliver multiple benefits to both business and the public.
Rural organisations, Government and others:
Arkleton Trust
The Arkleton Trust was founded in 1977 "to study new approaches to rural development and education" and "improve understanding between rural policy makers, academics, practitioners and rural people".
Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG)
Formed in 1992, ADMG is the representative organisation for deer managers in Scotland, mainly through approximately 70 deer management groups. ADMG is committed to the welfare of deer and their habitat through sustainable management practices and protecting employment and rural communities where deer management is a major economic land use.
Highlands and Island Enterprise
HIE's activities include: provision of business support services, delivery of training and learning programmes, assistance for community and cultural projects and measures for environmental renewal.
NFUS
NFU Scotland, formed in 1913, is Scotland's lead agricultural organisation representing 10,000 farmers, crofters and growers the length and breadth of the country. NFU Scotland works alongside its sister organisations in England, Wales and Ulster as well as other rural organisations to promote and protect the interests of Scottish agriculture.
PAW Scotland
Wildlife crime can involve anything from poisoning a golden eagle to cracking open freshwater pearl mussels. Rare species are put at risk, and more familiar ones, like the badger or deer, suffer cruel torture and death. Wildlife crime threatens a range of creatures and plants, even damaging the environment on which they depend. In short, it's the illegal destruction and theft of animals, plants and habitats, both in the countryside and urban areas. It damages Scotland's environment and its reputation and we have a duty to the rest of the world to look after our internationally important species and habitats.
The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland - PAW Scotland - includes the police, land managers, conservationists and the Scottish Government. We have come together to fight this crime against Scotland.
RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland is a national association of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the global professional body of surveyors. The mission of RICS Scotland is to develop and promote the knowledge and skills of chartered surveyors with particular reference to members operating in Scotland.
Royal Highland Educational Trust
The Royal Highland Education Trust, an educational charity established in 1999, aims to create the opportunity for each child in Scotland to learn about the countryside and to ensure a wider understanding of the environmental, economic and social realities of the countryside in Scotland.
Rural Community Gateway
The gateway for information and services to rural communities in Scotland.
Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service is a national charity which helps rural communities to develop practical solutions to local housing problems.
Scottish Association of Farmers Markets
www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk
Where Scottish farmers' markets happen, who takes part and what's sold.
Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC)
The SAYFC casts a net across many communities providing education, social integration and community participation to young people in rural areas of Scotland. SAYFC is a peer-led youth organisation where members play the key role in decision-making at the various levels within the movement.
Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group
The Country Sports Tourism Group was established in 2004 to develop the full potential of country sports tourism through co-operation focusing on improving the experience of visitors and raising awareness of Scotland as a world class destination.
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's main economic development agency, funded by the Scottish Executive. Its mission is to help the people and businesses of Scotland succeed. In doing so, it aims to build a world-class economy.
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Executive is the devolved government for Scotland. It is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport.
Scottish Natural Heritage
SNH's role is to secure the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's unique and precious natural heritage - the wildlife, the habitats and the landscapes which have evolved in Scotland through the long partnership between people and nature.
Scottish Parliament
The Scotland Act, passed by the UK Parliament at Westminster in 1998, provided for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament. Under the Act, the Scottish Parliament is able to pass laws affecting Scotland covering a range of issues, including education, health, agriculture and justice.
Scottish Renewables
Scottish Renewables is Scotland's Forum for the Renewable Energy Industry, supporting the development and provision of a sustainable energy future for Scotland.
SRPBA
The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) represents the role and interests of those involved with rural property and businesses connected with the land. It embodies a proactive approach to property, business and enterprise in rural Scotland, building upon 99 years of experience.
The Tenant Farming Forum
The Tenant Farming Forum is committed to help promote a healthy farm tenanted sector in Scotland. Its membership comprises the NFU Scotland; the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland; the Scottish Estates Business Group; the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association and the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association. It has a representative from the Law Society of Scotland as Technical Adviser, an observer from SEERAD, and an independent Chairman.
UK Parliament
This website includes information about the UK's House of Commons and House of Lords.
What's On Your Plate? - THE NFU SCOTLAND CAMPAIGN FOR SCOTTISH FOOD AND FARMING
The campaign, aimed primarily at consumers but also aiming to engender support and involvement from farmers and other rural businesses, is all about getting people to ask themselves the question of where the food and drink that they consume comes from and what it delivers beyond simply a delicious meal/drink, high animal welfare, a well maintained countryside, support for rural communities, fighting against climate change etc. and ultimately getting them to buy Scottish produce. Please visit the website (www.whatsonyourplate.co.uk ) to learn more and to sign our pledge of support for Scottish food and farming.
