The Ballindalloch Estate covers some 9,000 hectares of mature woodland and heather clad moorland. At the heart of the Estate stands 16th Century Ballindalloch Castle, set within over a mile-and-a-half of formal gardens, woodlands and riverside meadows. To the north and east the grounds are bordered by the River Spey and the rising gradients of Cairn Guish, whilst to the west lies the River Avon, its source on the summit of Ben Muich Dhui.

We employ a number of schemes to ensure the general public can gain safe access to the grounds and wider countryside of the Ballindalloch Estate.

A series of marked walks have been created in the Castle Grounds to give visitors easy access to the delights of the local flora and fauna. These walks provide an opportunity to explore the Gardens, the nearby rivers Spey and Avon and to see the Ballindalloch Aberdeen Angus herd. At harvest time, hay and silage-making will be underway in the grass rich pastures close to the Castle, adding the chance to see life on this working Estate.

For those who wish to venture further afield, the Riverside Walk wends its way along the banks of the River Avon, affording the chance to spot salmon and fresh water trout leaping in the summer months.

The Speyside Way, one of Scotland’s famous long-distance footpaths, also runs through the Ballindalloch Estate, which was an early supporter of the route. It follows the course of the old Great North of Scotland Railway line, once a vital artery connecting Speyside to the wider world. About a mile west of the Castle can be found Ballindalloch Station, beautifully preserved, and a little further on, Cragganmore Distillery, founded by the 4th Baronet, Sir George Macpherson-Grant, along with the distiller John Smith, in 1869.

We are always happy to show visitors around the Ballindalloch Estate. Please contact us for further information.

Ballindalloch Estate forestry operations encompass native broadleaf woodlands, stands of Scots Pine and commercial forestry blocks. Management of all forestry on the Estate is conducted in accordance with an adopted and approved Forest Plan and utilises local contractors wherever possible.

The careful management of our resident deer population, which is essential to preserve the right balance between our commercial interests and habitat diversity, is an important element of this Forest Plan.

Trees on the Estate

One of the recent challenging elements to management of the trees at Ballindalloch has been the rapid onset of Dutch Elm Disease.  As a result, a huge proportion of the elms on the Estate have died and this means that a large number of trees need to be felled.  This has meant that some difficult decisions have had to be made for the long term health of the woods.  A variety of trees, including the dead elms, have been felled to make way for sensible re-planting for future generations.

This has involved some expert tree felling by local tree surgeons who have kindly shared some of the experience on YouTube.  Warning: not to be viewed by those scared of heights!

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

If you would more information about forestry operations at ballindalloch please contact us here.

The variety of wildlife to be seen here at the Ballindalloch Estate is thrilling and at times unexpected.

Thanks to the conservation work of our ghillies and gamekeepers, the heather bound moorlands of Ballindalloch are once again home to healthy populations of indigenous Red and Black Grouse, Partridge, Capercaillie and wild Pheasant. On our sections of the Rivers Spey and Avon Atlantic Salmon, Wild Brown and Sea Trout continue to prosper.

The mature woodlands of the Ballindalloch Estate are carefully managed to maintain a sustainable population of both Roe and Red Deer. From time-to-time the patient observer will spot a Pine Marten, a rare species that thrives in the Scottish Highlands, and the elusive Scottish Wildcat. We are also pleased to say that the endangered Red Squirrel does very well on the Estate and numbers continue to grow, especially in and around the Castle Gardens.

Raptors fare well here too. Long-eared and barn owls can be heard (more often than seen) amongst the dense foliage and grasslands of the Ballindalloch Estate. Whilst up on the moorlands the keen twitcher can spot sparrowhawks, buzzards and kestrels, hanging on the wind and wheeling in an open empty sky, and of course ospreys – the symbol of Speyside.