Glenfalloch is located in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs Park extending to almost 10,000ha of predominantly moorland and upland with some 750ha of native broadleaf and Caledonian pine woodland.
It has embarked on a transformational landscape scale recovery project emanating from the environmental masterplan written in 2021.
As part of this plan there are objectives to restore peatland on those areas significantly degraded, plans to increase the woodland cover on the estate using seed sourced and grown on the estate and plans to restore meadow and wetland habitat whilst also reducing herbivore impact within the estate and designated areas.
Glenfalloch’s vision is to protect and improve the existing natural habitat and enhance biodiversity whilst maintaining the traditional values of a highland estate. Glenfalloch includes five Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), a Special Protection Area for Golden Eagles (SPA), a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and is also part of the Loch Lomond National Scenic Area.
There is an Environmental Master Plan focussed on peatland restoration, woodland planting and habitat restoration.
Glenfalloch is increasing its investment in conserving and improving the natural heritage in line with the National Park’s objectives, whilst at the same time leaving the estate in a better ecological basis than when the project started.
Working in partnership with Wild Strathfillan – a wider landscape scale project funded by the Nature Restoration Fund.
Pushing the boundaries on what is achievable under current regulations.
Integrating the continued running of traditional highland sporting estate whilst embracing the new opportunities with Peatland restoration, woodland creation and nature restoration, it has been difficult at times to balance the owners requirements for sporting stalking at the same time as their landscape scale nature restoration plans.
It is an ongoing project and whilst results are at an early stage there are some clear targets that have been met in 2023 and 2024, with more being done.
Peatland restoration has identified areas of approximately 2000ha of degraded peatland across the estate. In the five years to date, circa 700 hectares has been restored and a further 200 ha is planned for 2024, with more projects being planned for 2025 onwards.
The tree nursery employs one local person full time and is building up knowledge of seed source trees on the estate.
In 2024 the nursery will be growing 10,000 trees from the estate seed; a mixture of birch, rowan, crab apple, aspen and Scots pine – all of them are native broadleaves.
Over the next three years there will be a scoping project to plant over 1400ha of woodland on the east of the estate which will benefit 2 SSSIs, improve more than 3700m of riparian habitats all with planting more than 1.5 million broadleaf trees without deer fencing.
This will be done with adaptive and targeted deer management.
Meadow recovery is ongoing, with the aim to restore 70ha of degraded meadowland over the next two years.
This will be done by a mixture of mechanical and herbivores where the topography allows.
In addition, where appropriate, wetland scrapes will be created to allow waders and wetland birds to thrive. Small scale woodland have been planted to allow further food source for wild birds.
Working in partnership with Wild Strathfillan, a wider landscape scale project funded by the Nature Restoration Fund, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable under current regulations, the estate has worked with LL TNPA and their volunteer programme which has resulted in more than 700 hours of community engagement and opportunity for partnership working with the small scale woodland nursery on the estate.