A rural business run by long-standing members of the local community, they are forward-thinking yet rooted in the past and present history of the area and landscape. They work with a multi-generational community and local businesses and enterprises to conserve, enhance, and develop the natural and built environment. The Estate team is committed to making the most of the opportunities that the Estate's land and resources can offer while recognizing the responsibility that this brings in making the right choices for present and future generations.
Ardkinglas Estate occupies a varied geographical location, including loch shores, sea level, and upland woodlands, hills, and glens. Direct access to the A83 and proximity to Glasgow has allowed for retail, commercial, and residential development. To make the most of this, the Estate has had to raise finance, work with local partners, including planners and other statutory bodies, remain determined to see through projects that may take many years to come to fruition, while dealing with the day-to-day maintenance of the infrastructure within the Estate. The Estate in its current form has been present in the area for over 60 years. During this time, a considerable skill and knowledge base has been built up. For example, in the late 1970s, the Estate helped establish the now world-renowned Loch Fyne Oysters at a time when there were hardly any oysters being grown commercially in Scotland. Next door, the Estate established The Tree Shop, now a highly popular and successful garden center employing over 12 staff. Ardkinglas House provides a venue for a wide range of activities, including concerts, weddings, filming, workshops, tours, and other events, while retaining its unique character as a family home. A self-catering apartment in the house has been developed as a popular holiday destination and a further source of income for the estate. The estate is keen to work in partnership with neighbors and organizations.
Historically, the estate has supported the community through actions such as donating the village hall and land to a community trust that hosts annual events such as the sheepdog trials. More recently, the Estate has supported the community by helping the local childcare organization (a community charity) to acquire land for a purpose-built building. The estate provides ongoing financial support with monthly running costs. Land has been provided at a reduced cost to a local housing association to build affordable homes. Eight office spaces for local businesses are provided at affordable rents, including a hot desk facility. Free car parking is provided for hillwalkers visiting Glen Fyne. Currently, two older semi-detached houses are being converted into three affordable homes. The estate maintains a stock of 16 houses, most of which are long-term tenancies with extended families in the area. Two new houses were built under the Rural Homes for Rent scheme (2011). Nine new building plots are currently available for development. Ardkinglas Woodland Garden is maintained - open to the public all year round with discounted annual passes for local residents. The garden is maintained at cost to the Estate. The Estate supports many self-employed local contractors and businesses, providing regular work and income. The Estate always gives preference to local suppliers for work. The Estate employs one full-time and three part-time staff. Businesses have been supported to set up on the Estate by offering favorable lease terms based on turnover rather than land value, enabling these businesses to build their businesses without large up-front rental costs. Examples include the Community Hydro Scheme (managed by Here We Are), a quarry business, a holiday cottage business, and small hydro schemes.
The estate's land at Glen Fyne is managed under AECS (Agri-Environment Climate Scheme) to conserve and enhance the habitat, as well as being part of NatureScot's Special Protection Area for Golden Eagles. There is an SSSI at the head of Glen Fyne. The estate hosts several hydro schemes and wind farms and is looking to renewable energy as a source of further development. The estate has supported a biomass woodchip business run by Here We Are. The estate's oyster farm, Loch Fyne Oysters, facilitates carbon sequestration as oysters use carbon to grow their shells and process CO2 emissions to do so. Native woodland is an important feature of the estate, and all replanting is now focused on native woodland species. The Estate has stopped all commercial fishing on its rivers and is working with the local Fisheries Trust to restore salmon and sea trout numbers in the rivers and estuaries, including looking at riparian woodland schemes along the riverbanks. The Estate works within the Inveraray and Tyndrum DMG to manage the red deer population across the estate. The Estate has completed a peatland restoration survey and hopes to implement this work in 2024. Ardkinglas Woodland Garden contains an important collection of trees and shrubs. It is part of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden's conifer conservation project. Tackling invasive species such as Ponticum, Japanese Knotweed, and Skunk Cabbage is a major part of the work on the estate. The garden is home to a breeding population of red squirrels.
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