Bunloit

The area of Bunloit has been inhabited for centuries. It was originally part of the larger Balmacaan estate, with records dating back to 1545 showing a sparsely populated area with 4-5 dwellings along the lower Bunloit slope, leading down to the water’s edge. By 1875, there were twenty-three roofed buildings recorded on Bunloit Farm, in the first edition of the Inverness-shire OS map.

Much of the land comprised of moorland for game, forestry, common grazing and cultivated areas for livestock and crops. However, after World War II, people moved away from the area and the land was sold and let out for grazing.

The intertwining ecosystems of woodland, peatland and grassland provide a home for an abundance of species, from the microorganisms in the soil to the large mammals that roam the land. Bunloit hosts a variety of Scottish species such as the pine marten and red squirrel, as well as the more commonly known mammal species, badger and fox. A mix of roe, sika and red deer also live on the estate, accompanied by wild boar.

Bird life also excels here with sightings of crested tits, crossbills, barn and tawney owls, a variety of raptors including ravens, red kites and golden eagles. Such a diverse web of life creates a place that erupts with life through the warmer months as the insects emerge, alongside the rich flora of the Highlands.

Woodland

In the south we have oak, birch and juniper woodlands, supporting internationally significant lichen populations. The deep wooded ravine of the Grotaig burn holds moisture so well that it contains an exceptional rainforest community. In the north we have areas of Scots pine, as well as a number of plantations of non-native conifers. We will mostly replace these plantations with mixed native tree species, boosting biodiversity and long-term carbon sequestration. We are controlling deer numbers to allow the planting and natural regeneration of trees to prosper.

Peatland

On the plateau, sitting at 260m above sea level, are three areas of peatland with peat up to 4 metres deep. In August we see their full beauty as the heather blooms and covers the estate in a blanket of purple. As we control drainage and fell the non-native plantations atop them, we should be able to turn these bogs into much improved carbon reservoirs.

Grassland

Our pastures have likely been farmed without the use of chemicals for thousands of years, and erupt with fauna and flora in the spring. Rewilding initiatives by Rewilding Europe, Knepp Wildland and others, offer encouragement that optimising the mix of grazers in the pastureland will lead to both greater biodiversity and increasing carbon content in our soils.