Mar Lodge Estate

Mar Lodge Estate lies in western Aberdeenshire, about six kilometres west of Braemar. The National Trust for Scotland has managed the estate since 1995. Nearly thirty thousand hectares stretch across the Cairngorms National Park. The land holds national and international designations for nature conservation. Deep corries, granite peaks and sweeping glacial breaches shape the highland scenery. The River Dee begins among these hills, tumbling down to the valley floor. The estate matters most for its wildlife and wild places. Fourteen Munros rise within its bounds, including Ben Macdui, Britain’s second highest mountain. Rare Caledonian pine forest shelters red squirrels, pine martens and Scottish crossbills. The high plateau holds dotterel, snow buntings and the largest area of arctic-alpine flora in Britain. Walkers follow paths from the Linn of Dee car park into this vast landscape. Mar Lodge itself was rebuilt after a fire in 1991 and now offers holiday flats. Derry Lodge, six kilometres from the nearest road, may soon become a hostel. Corrour Bothy has gained a wood stove and toilet block, and Ruighe Ealasaid opened in 2023 as a second bothy. The estate’s history runs from Jacobite forfeitures to wartime forestry camps and later sporting ventures. Today it remains one of the country’s most important nature reserves.