"A beautiful area of Scotland. Mystical islands, mountains, lakes and forests. We thoroughly enjoyed the comfort of this lovely house and its amazing views."
Steven, Netherlands
Roshven Hill Estate
EST 1985
ROSHVEN HILL ESTATE
The estate has been owned by the current proprietors since 1985, it sits in the centre of what was a much larger estate owned by Clan Macdonald prior to the 1860s when the greater part of it was bought by the Blackburn family who extended and renovated the current Roshven House. The current estate is just under 3500 acres in land mass. Marino Lodge was built in 1986 and has been extended and modified several times in the intervening period. The estate is made up of a farm, 2 hydro-electric plants, as well as regeneration forestry, and quite a large area of open hill ground. The estate also has two cottages, in which, amongst others, the farm manager lives.
The current owners are keen, where ever possible, to reduce any negative environmental impact across all the various activities on the estate.
THE FARM
The estate has been farmed for generations. The farm sits in the centre of the estate and is just over 1100 acres in size. The land is best suited to raising sheep. Currently the estate has a small herd of sheep and the latter is producing a quite healthy crop of lambs every year. The farm is, in the future, looking at potentially looking at ways of farming in a more regenerative way to benefit the eco system and landscape. If walking dogs on the estate, they must be kept on leads when near sheep.
HYDRO-ELECTRICITY
The current owners have, in conjunction with outside investors, created two hydro-electric plants on the estate to take advantage of the abundant water catchment on which it stands. The hydro plants generate quite a considerable amount of electricity which is fed into the national grid. This form of electricity generation has a very limited carbon footprint and the estate has been joined by quite a large number of other hydro schemes in the area, all of which contribute to the journey towards zero carbon in the UK.
FORESTRY
The estate currently has about 300 acres of forestry blocks. The forestry was originally owned and planted by the Forestry Commission before being bought by the current owners when they bought the rest of the estate. In the late 1990s, the estate was in receipt of regeneration grants to regenerate the native forestry on the estate, in particular the forestry on the northern face of Roshven Hill itself. Most of the non-native trees were clear felled and the native species were allowed to regenerate and are doing so vigorously, at the time of writing. The estate is also looking at increasing the amount of native forestry on the estate in conjunction with Forestry enterprise to increase carbon capture.
DEER
The Scottish landscape has enjoyed a significant population of Red and Roe Deer for thousands of years, notwithstanding other types of deer that have been imported in the UK. Deer management is centrally controlled by the Scottish Government via local deer management groups.
On the basis of the paragraph above and part of wider regional deer management. The estate conducts, on the basis of strict controls, conservation deer culling, in line with Scottish government and local deer management group direction. You will see stags (male) and hinds (female) on the estate year-round. The venison from the estate is sold to a local game dealer and is also sold locally where there is demand. Guided deer stalking can be arranged, with our qualified resident stalker, during the relevant stalking seasons, by appointment in advance using the website contact number. There is a charge for the services of the estate stalker as well as a cull premium, in the event that a deer is shot. It is worth noting that during the stalking season (August - February) the estate larder is located adjacent to the lodge. Therefore tenants are advised that our resident stalker could be using the larder during their stay.
FISHING
The estate has access to both fresh water and salt water fishing. The southern part of the estate has 4 hill lochs that can be fished and are about an hour's walk from the lodge. There is no charge for fishing the hill lochs. On one of the hill lochs there is a small rowing boat available. Equally the River Ailort that flows into the sea at Lochailort also has fishing available, in season, subject to rods being available. There is a charge for any fishing booked. Colin, the farm manager, can also provide advice as to best location to sea fish off the rocks on the coastline.
WALKING
All parts of the estate are available to walk over, however it is requested that the farm yard and farm track are kept out of bounds due to the constant presence of farm animals and equipment. The two main peaks on the estate are up to 2859 feet in height with Roshven Hill being the tallest. When walking dogs on the estate, they must be kept on leads.
Marino Lodge
Recent Comments