The Vision

The partners in the Concordat share a vision of a living landscape, supporting the wildlife and the community and available for all to enjoy.    We want people to enjoy the magnificent scenery and recreational opportunities.   We also intend to enhance the distinctive habitats and species which make this such a wonderful place. And we will listen to and respect the views of local people and neighbours in shaping this vision.

The Estate

Nestling between the high mountains of the Cairngorms and the broad basin of the River Spey, Rothiemurchus is ideally placed to provide an outdoor experience for all. The Estate is important for cultural reasons, as well as for its scenery and interesting wildlife.

The partners in the Rothiemurchus Concordat are working together to keep the natural environment healthy and to encourage a dynamic blend of land use which supports the local community - in forestry and farming, in tourism, in recreation and in sporting interests.

Working in harmony, the partners plan to show how a sensitively and dynamically managed estate can contribute to the development and economic viability of the local community. The partners appreciate the importance of the Aviemore area as a quality tourist destination.

The Natural Heritage

Spanning some 10,000 hectares, Rothiemurchus is special for many reasons, not least the natural heritage.

Rothiemurchus occupies a pivotal position at the core of the Cairngorms area and is iomportant for both its outstanding wildlife and landscapes and the significant contribution it makes to the local community, economy and cultural heritage of Strathspey. The Cairngorms are the largest block of wild high land in the country and the best area for subarctic land and wildlife in the European Union outside Sweden and Finland.




Forest

The majestic forests, a major remnant of the Ancient Caledonian Forest, are home to some of the rarest and uniquely Scottish birds such as the Scottish crossbill and the capercaillie, both of which have strongholds in the Cairngorms. Red squirrels too can be glimpsed in the Scots pines which have dominated this landscape since the last Ice Age.

This magnificent forest has deteriorated over the centuries as a result of forest fire, periods of grazing by sheep and deer and, more recently, the provision of much-needed timber for two world wars.

Work is ongoing to regenerate new woodland at Rothiemurchus and to protect the forest from overgrazing by maintaining deer numbers at a low level.

Water

The River Spey bordering parts of Rothiemurchus Estate is also an important habitat for Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey and otter. To recognise this unique wildlife, the Spey is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a candidate Special Area of Conservation under European law.

Farmland

Strathspey is renowned for its agriculture and for many people it is the open farmland which provides the views of the hills that they remember. Farming is an intrinsic part of the local culture and tradition and its contribution to the diversity of wildlife and species makes Rothiemurchus exceptional.

Scenery

Even the landscape is special - Rothiemurchus Estate lies wholly within the Cairngorms National Scenic Area. It was designated for the spectacular views of the high corries of the Cairngorms from the public roads and woodland walks and for the Caledonian Forest with its mosaic of open spaces, lochs, rivers and areas od wetland and farmland.

Cultural Heritage

Rothiemurchus contains hut circles which markthe remains of the houses of the prehistoric population, ancient settlement patterns, the mediaeval Loch an Eilein castle and the listed mansion-house of the Doune of Rothiemurchus sitting in its designated landscape, as well as vernacular buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The People

The Estate is home to more than 100 families and the parish of Rothiemurchus is included in the wider community of Rothiemurchus, Glenmore and Aviemore with a population of around 3,000. The Estate also supports a further 12 local businesses. Part of the vision of the Rothiemurchus Concordat is to strengthen the existing links with community organisations to enable local people to become more involved in the future of the natural and cultural heritage on their doorstep.