Land Ownership

Unlike many National Parks around the world, none of the Cairngorms National Park is owned by the Park Authority. Instead, the Cairngorms is owned by a variety of individuals, charities, government agencies and businesses.

There are around 60 privately owned estates in the Cairngorms National Park, many still owned by families whose involvement stretches back as far as the 13th Century. Covering nearly 75 per cent of the Park, these land managers are extremely important in maintaining and sustaining just what makes this such a special place.

The estates in the Park have lots of different purposes, from being a highland retreat to the most wealthy of owners to providing a living for local farmers or giving the public lots of things to do and see. Most undertake a wide variety of activities, from farming and forestry to traditional country sports like deer stalking and grouse shooting  - many provide a Ranger Service and other outdoor activities like quad biking or land rover tours. You can even get married in some of the stunning Estate Lodges, surrounded by centuries of history and heritage.  Read about some of the more well-known estates, including the Queen's estate of Balmoral, in the east of the Cairngorms National Park here.

Charities such as the National Trust for Scotland and the RSPB also own large tracts of land, including the Mar Lodge Estate (NTS), Abernethy and Insh Marshes (RSPB). Government bodies including Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage own and manage substantial areas for the benefit of the Nation including Glenmore Forest and a number of the National Nature Reserves (NNRs).

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