Wildlife Estates Scotland appoints new Chair

Press Release

Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) has appointed Alan Balfour as Chair of the prestigious accreditation scheme.

Alan Balfour owns Scourie Estate, a crofting estate in the North West Highlands, with level 2 WES accreditation. Alan is Chairman of Scottish Salmon Education and Research Fund, Convenor of West Sutherland Fisheries District Board and a member of Scottish Land & Estates’ Highland Committee. He also has extensive experience managing rural businesses. 

WES is an internationally recognised and independently assessed accreditation scheme that forms part of the European 'Wildlife Estates' label. 

WES recognises and promotes exemplary sustainable land management that delivers demonstrable and lasting benefits for Scotland’s natural heritage, rural economy and communities.

Scotland is at the forefront of sustainable land management and is ranked second out of 19 countries in terms of area of accredited land.

Alan Balfour succeeds Miles Montgomerie, who has held the post since 2023.

Alan Balfour, Chair of WES, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of WES and look forward to working with members across Scotland.  Miles Montgomerie has shown an outstanding commitment over the past three years and I hope to build on that momentum. 

“The work that WES members undertake across the country is vital to help Scotland reach its national biodiversity targets and also makes a huge contribution to the rural economy, while supporting the Scottish government’s strategies for integrated land use and biodiversity. WES stands out as a model of what’s possible when landowners, government and communities pull in the same direction.”

Outgoing WES Chair Miles Montgomerie said: 

“It has been a privilege to represent WES members and to experience first-hand the brilliant range of activities which are protecting our natural heritage and  conserving native species - everything from peatland restoration, native woodland creation, habitat management for threatened species, conservation of rivers and fish, improving soil health and hydrology is being undertaken, often on a significant scale. 

“Added to all this, WES members are providing premises for small businesses, supporting affordable housing, repairing footpaths and hosting community events. They are at the heart of their local communities while also boosting biodiversity. I’m delighted that Alan has been appointed as Chair – his experience of a wide range of conservation projects and rural businesses will no doubt prove immensely beneficial.”

The WES accreditation scheme is a rigorous process that requires land managers to demonstrate that they are meeting the highest standards in wildlife and conservation management, including data on 70 key species, providing significant insight to inform future conservation efforts.

There are 55 WES accredited landholdings in Scotland, covering over 322,000 hectares. Between them, WES accredited landholdings have stewardship of 97 nationally protected sites (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserves) and 79 internationally designated sites (such as Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, and Ramsar wetland sites).

The WES Advisory Board and Technical Committee includes the Scottish Government, NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, RSPB Scotland and Scottish Forestry.