Covering over 18,800 acres of peatlands, rivers, and rare forests, the Inverbroom Estate Trust will restore vital ecosystems while supporting local jobs and sustainable farming.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has made its biggest land purchase ever, acquiring the 7,618-hectare Inverbroom Estate for £17.5 million. Located near Ullapool in the Scottish Highlands, the estate will become a major site for restoring nature, fighting climate change, and supporting local communities.
This land acquisition was made possible by the Trust’s largest private donation in its 60-year history. The charity says its work on the Inverbroom Estate will support national and global efforts to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
Inverbroom Estate covers a huge area—about 18,800 acres—which is larger than the city of Dundee. It features diverse landscapes, including peatlands, ancient woodlands, farmland, and freshwater lochs. Peatlands alone make up about 71% of the estate, and 20% of these are currently degraded.
Healthy peatlands are key to fighting climate change. They store large amounts of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Restoring these ecosystems helps reduce global warming.
Inverbroom Estate also holds rare habitats and species. It falls within Scotland’s temperate rainforest zone, one of the rarest habitat types in the world. Wildlife found here includes otters, Atlantic salmon, pine martens, and wood warblers. The estate also includes two mountain peaks over 3,000 feet—called Munros—named A’ Chailleach and Sgùrr Breac.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust plans to restore Inverbroom Estate’s natural environment while also working closely with local farmers and residents.
Plans include:
- Regenerating native woodlands along rivers
- Restoring peatland areas
- Removing invasive species like Rhododendron ponticum
- Supporting nature-friendly farming
- Promoting sustainable land use for both people and wildlife
The Trust has promised not to sell carbon credits to fund its work on the estate. Instead, it will rely on partnerships and long-term planning.
One farmer, Scott Renwick, whose family has lived and farmed on the estate for nearly 100 years, welcomed the move. He said the Trust’s approach will allow traditional farming to continue while protecting the environment.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has committed to being a responsible landowner. This means offering local jobs, training programs, and volunteer opportunities as they restore the estate.
Over time, the Trust hopes to show that protecting nature can also support rural communities. Jo Pike, the Trust’s Chief Executive, said Inverbroom is a chance to prove that landscapes can be managed in ways that benefit both wildlife and people.
Inverbroom also sits inside the Transition Zone of the UNESCO Wester Ross Biosphere—one of only two biosphere reserves in Scotland. These reserves aim to meet the global Sustainable Development Goals by protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities.
The estate includes historic features, such as two bridges designed by Sir John Fowler. Fowler was the chief engineer of the Forth Rail Bridge and once owned Inverbroom in the 19th century.
The area is also home to two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs): Meall an t-Sithe & Creag Rainich, and part of the Fannich Hills. These sites are protected due to their unique geology, diverse plant life, and rare animals.
Additionally, Inverbroom Estate features several lochs and rivers, including the 2.5-mile-long Loch a’ Bhraoin and the rivers Broom and Cuileig. These water systems support important species such as the freshwater pearl mussel, which is endangered in many parts of Europe.
Through its Riverwoods initiative, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will focus on enhancing riverbank habitats to support wildlife, including otters and salmon. Riverwoods is a broader effort across Scotland to plant and restore woodlands near rivers.
The estate’s location in the temperate rainforest zone offers another rare opportunity. These rainforests are unique to parts of Scotland and a few other global regions with wet, mild climates. They support rich biodiversity, including mosses, lichens, and fungi that are rarely found elsewhere.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust won’t fund the restoration through carbon credit sales, which sometimes remove local decision-making. Instead, it plans to involve local people in every step of the journey.
That includes:
- Job creation in land management and tourism
- Training opportunities for young people in conservation and sustainability
- Volunteering programs to build local skills and community ownership
Community engagement isn’t just a bonus—it’s central to the Inverbroom Estate Trust’s mission. Early talks with local residents have already started, and the Trust says they’re off to a “positive and constructive” start.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust took ownership of most of the estate on March 3, with the rest set to transfer on April 8. Over the coming years, the Trust will implement its nature restoration plans, involving the community at every step.
By acquiring and restoring the Inverbroom Estate, the Trust hopes to set an example for other conservation projects in Scotland and beyond.
The Inverbroom Estate Trust project reflects a growing effort in Scotland to combine environmental protection with community benefits. It also highlights how large-scale land management can play a direct role in addressing both the climate and nature crises.
For everyday people, this means cleaner air and water, better biodiversity, and new chances to connect with nature. If successful, the restoration of Inverbroom could also serve as a model for similar efforts elsewhere in the UK.
