Ballogie Estate recognised with prestigious wildlife accreditation

Press Release

Ballogie Estate in Aberdeenshire has achieved Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) accreditation, the Scottish version of the prestigious international conservation scheme.

Administered by Scottish Land & Estates but independently assessed, the initiative is endorsed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment. WES members are at the forefront of sustainable land management in Scotland, with biodiversity and best practice at the heart of all activity.

Co-owned and managed by sisters Alice, Abby and Jenny Nicol, Ballogie estate has a long-standing commitment to community engagement and nature conservation. Ballogie has retained its Silver Level 2 accreditation, ranking amongthe top 10% of accredited landholdings in Europe.

The estate was recognised for its proactive conservation work,  superb visitor experience and extensive research on species and habitats.

Of particular note, Ballogie has undertaken a major restoration of the Cattie Burn, an important tributary of the River Dee Special Area of Conservation. The project involved removing two weirs, encouraging wetland development and re-meandering 700m of historically straightened channel. The Cattie Burn is now able to function more effectively within its floodplain, bringing benefits to amphibians, invertebrates and wading birds as well as the endangered Atlantic salmon.

The project was a partnership between Ballogie and the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board (DDSFB), experts in salmon conservation. Funding came from NatureScot, as well as from the River Dee Trust, Ballogie and local contractors CRC.  

Abby Nicol, Managing Partner at Ballogie, commented:

“Ballogie’s Silver WES accreditation is a tremendous honour for our team and reflects our long-standing commitment to conservation and responsible land stewardship. The rigorous WES assessment considered every aspect of the estate, from farming, fishing and forestry to our holiday cottages and wedding venue at Ballogie House. Integrated land management is at the heart of how we operate, and we are delighted to have our ongoing efforts recognised through the WES accreditation scheme.”

Alan Balfour, Chair of WES, commented: “The team at Ballogie should take great pride in achieving Level 2 accreditation and such a high score, within the top 10% of accredited landholdings in Scotland. 

“Ballogie’s inspirational restoration of the Cattie Burn is already reaping rewards for native species. At a time when wild Atlantic salmon face an existential threat, Ballogie and its partners have shown what’s possible when landowners, conservation organisations and local communities unite behind a common purpose. The restoration of the Cattie Burn stands as a testament to collaborative ecosystem restoration — and to the commitment and drive of those who make it happen. This project will prove immensely beneficial to inform future conservation work in Scotland.”

There are now 55 WES-accredited landholdings in Scotland, covering over 322,000 hectares. Commitment to WES is increasing year on year, with an additional 26,500 hectares of land accredited since January 2025. 

Scotland is second out of 19 participating countries in terms of total WES land accredited.