ABERARDER
Focusing on large-scale habitat recovery and climate mitigation, Aberarder’s wild and remote landscape is dedicated to increasing biodiversity through peatland restoration, woodland regeneration and river rejuvenation.
Discover Aberarder
Belmont purchased Aberarder in 2023 to undertake large scale landscape recovery projects. Dating back to 1663, the estate was formally used for country pursuits such as deer stalking and grouse shooting which resulted in centuries of ecological degradation.
In addition to magnificent upland landscapes and rivers running through its glens, Aberarder is steeped in history, with an iron age hill fort and the crannog on Loch Ruthven, dating back over 5000 years.
Aberarder hosts a 50MW wind farm project that will be capable of harnessing enough energy to power the equivalent of 60,000 homes annually, while offsetting over 35,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The Vision for Aberarder
Great Britain is one of the most nature depleted places in the world. Our landscape recovery projects will enable ecosystems to thrive and for nature to recover at scale.
Aberarder will become ‘wilder’, developing natural forest characteristics, protecting soils, sequestering and storing carbon and providing a home for a rich diversity of species.
Bog habitat will develop to provide water filtration and act as a carbon sink. Species-rich grassland will provide opportunities for wildflowers, pollinators and other invertebrates which in turn support the wider food web and ecosystem.
Heathland and scrub will flourish to provide important habitat for invertebrates and birds.
As Aberarder is home to the source and upper catchment of the river Nairn, this will enable us to restore the river and its tributaries through the establishment of riparian woodland habitat creating connectivity across the estate. In time we hope to extend our nature connection and community engagement programme at Aberarder.
Nature Recovery at Aberarder
