Facts & Figures
Current Owners & Management
Past Owners & Management
Woodlands
Alvie Farm Partnership
Alvie Field Sports
Dalraddy Holiday Park
Alvie House
Alvie Gardens
Delfour Fish Hatchery
Mineral Extraction
Badenoch Land Management Ltd
Renewable Energy
Housing
Employment
Sustainability / Self Sufficiency
Location
Alvie & Dalraddy Estates are neighbouring properties located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands within the district of Badenoch. The Estates extend from the River Spey, between Loch Insh and Loch Alvie, North West into the Monadhliath hills. Most of the properties on the Estates face South East many with spectacular views of the Cairngorm Mountains.
39% of the land area of the two Estates is within the Cairngorms National Park. This includes all of the low ground. The Estates are entirely within the Highland Region and the Kincraig & Vicinity Community Council area.
Facts & Figures
Areas
The geographical area is based on traditional land ownership patterns when the primary use of land was for the production of food. In the 17th and 18th century farms required a proportion of low ground that could be both cultivated for food and winter livestock. Upland pastures were required for summer grazing. As a result land holdings tend to be strips of land extending from the valley floor into the hills. (See map)
The land use by area is:
Land Use |
hectares |
acres |
% |
% |
|
Stocked woodland |
conifer |
720 |
1,780 |
13% |
19% |
|
broadleaf |
93 |
230 |
2% |
|
Unstocked woodland |
Bare ground |
137 |
339 |
2% |
|
|
Unplantable /open |
89 |
230 |
2% |
|
Farmland |
ploughable |
175 |
432 |
3% |
6% |
|
Permanent pasture |
158 |
390 |
3% |
|
Hill ground / other |
|
4,031 |
9,960 |
75% |
75% |
Total area |
|
5,402 |
13,350 |
100% |
100% |
Elevations
|
metres |
feet |
Lowest point (River Spey) |
212 |
695 |
Loch Insh |
214 |
702 |
Loch Alvie |
215 |
705 |
Highest in bye fields |
250 |
820 |
Highest woodlands |
570 |
1,870 |
Highest point (Geal Charn) |
824 |
2,703 |
Climate
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
Minimum |
Maximum |
Annual rainfall |
810 mm |
890 mm |
32” |
35” |
Temperature |
-270C |
280C |
-170F |
820F |
There are 31 houses/flats plus 4 farm steadings 156 static caravans/chalets with 35 touring & 50 tents pitches. In addition there are 2 quarries, gardens (poly tunnels owned by tenant), fish hatchery (buildings and tanks owned by tenant, sawmill (redundant), hydro-electric scheme (redundant), a building used for storing and drying wood chips, larder, a shop, toilet block and laundrette at Dalraddy Holiday Park plus various other ancillary buildings and storage sheds.
Current Owners & Management
Ownership
Alvie Estate has been in the ownership of the Williamson family since 1927, the adjoining property Dalraddy was purchased in 1929. Invereshie Farm was purchased in 1957.
- Alvie Estate is currently owned by Alvie Trust which is a settled Trust the main beneficiary being Ruaraidh Williamson.
- Dalraddy Estate, Dalraddy Holiday Park and Alvie House are owned by his father Jamie Williamson, the current Laird.
- Farming is carried out by Alvie Farm Partnership, a limited partnership where Jamie Williamson is the general partner and Alvie Trust is the limited partner.
- Field sports are managed by the Game keeper Graeme Macdonald.
- Badenoch Land Management Ltd. manages the properties and also carries out forestry consultancy, management and contracting on several other estates. Jamie Williamson is the Managing Director, his wife Cathryn the Secretary.
- Alvie Gardens is a limited partnership run by the general partner John Christie.
- Delfour Fish Hatchery is run by Inverness Fish Farming which is owned and managed by Craig Ireland. See www.scottishbrowntrout.co.uk
- Alvie Stables is tenanted by Ingrid Kendall.
- Quad bike treks are organised by Highland Venture which is owned and managed by Mike Norton.
- Delfour granite quarry and Alvie Moor sand and gravel quarry are managed by G.F. Job Ltd.
- Jane Williamson, the Aunt of Jamie Williamson, owns and farms adjoining property at the bottom of Glenfeshie which includes Blackmill, Balnespick and Ballintean farms.
Property |
Owner |
Hectares |
|
Alvie Estate |
Alvie Trust |
3,384.1 |
|
Dalraddy Estate |
Jamie Williamson |
2,015.7 |
|
Alvie House |
Jamie Williamson |
3.0 |
|
|
|
5,402.8 |
hectares |
To retain the property as a family home and means of making a living within the control of the Williamson family.
In order to retain ownership the land must not only provide a net income for the owners but also accumulate sufficient funds to reinvest in economic opportunities and pay for inheritance tax on the land holding.
Currently the main sources of income are from the provision of tourist accommodation and farming (including farm subsidies). Capital growth is from forestry and the increase in the value of houses and land for housing. A large proportion of the value of the land holding is still based on its value for field sports. The value of hill ground and moorland for field sports exceeds its value for farming or forestry.
Taxes, government regulations and incentives are the main factors determining how the land is both owned and managed.
Management and Staff
Alvie & Dalraddy Estates is run as a family business.
The current Laird is Jamie Williamson, a forestry consultant, who resides in Alvie House. His wife Cathryn Williamson is accountant/bookkeeper and Secretary for Badenoch Land Management Ltd. She also manages Alvie House and the herd of pedigree shorthorn cattle. Cathryn is assisted in the office by Kimberly Joynson.
David Kinnear is the Factor. He is employed by Badenoch Land Management Ltd. and resides on Alvie Estate.
Victor Watson is the Farm Manager; he is in charge of the management of Alvie Farm Partnership. He is assisted by Fraser Christie, who is the son of John Christie (Alvie Gardens).
Graeme Macdonald is the Game Keeper and Stalker and is responsible for all field sports.
Peter Mackenzie is the Forestry Manager. He is employed by Badenoch Land Management Ltd. Forestry contract work is carried out by Andrew Pitcher.
Fiona McMullen is Manageress for Dalraddy Holiday Park. Her assistant is by Sheena Robb. Wardens are Ina and George Taggart.
Estate maintenance is carried out by Billy Boyle, Lucy Olver-Findlay and Craig Douglas.
Sarah Harvie is Events Manager and Secretary in Alvie Estate Office.
Housekeeping in Alvie House and the holiday cottages is the responsibility of Yvonne Davis.
Past Owners and Management
In the early nineteenth century Alvie was owned by the Macpherson-Grants of Ballindalloch. In 1862 the property appears to have been in the ownership of James Evan Baillie, the predecessor of Lord Burton of Dochfour. By 1867 the estate was purchased or tenanted by Sir John Ramsden, an industrialist from northern England who planted up around 2,000 acres (800 hectares) of what was described as moor land to forestry for timber production. He later purchased and moved to Ardverikie Estate which his descendants still own.
In 1905 Alvie was purchased by Sir Robert Boville (Bertie) Whitehead who owned Alvie until 1923. Sir Robert was the youngest son of Robert Whitehead who invented the torpedo. The Whitehead family married into some of the most influential in Europe with Bertie’s niece Marguerite marrying Herbert von Bismark. Another niece Agathe fell in love with and married an Austrian Kapitanleutnant Georg Von Trapp. Agathe died of diphtheria in 1922 leaving Georg von Trapp to bring up their 5 children with the help of a governess who taught them music. The musical the Sound of Music is based on the story of von Trapp and the governess Maria Augusta who he later married. The Whitehead family had a factory in Weybridge in England and another on the Baltic run by von Trapp. During the First World War the Baltic factory supplied the German navy with torpedoes whilst the factory at Weybridge supplied the British navy.
Robert Whitehead deer fenced much of the Estate and invested large sums in extending Alvie House and improving the stock of red deer. The remains of the deer fence erected around 1908 can still be seen.
The Estate was sold in 1923 to Lady Carnarvon shortly after the untimely death of her husband, Lord Carnarvon, 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Lord Carnarvon broke into the Tutankhamun tombs in Egypt. He and his son died within a year of each other (the Tutankhamun curse). Lady Carnarvon set up Balchurn (Home Farm) as a model dairy farm. She and her boy friend Colonel Jaffery also invested in grouse shooting.
Alvie Estate was purchased by the Williamson family in 1927 primarily for its field sports. The family had previously been Liberal MPs for Moray and Nairn since 1906 and had land holdings in Angus. Alexander Williamson, who purchased Alvie Estate in 1927 and Dalraddy Estate in 1929, was a younger son of the MP. Around the time of his death in 1930 the Estates were put into a limited liability company Alvie Estate Ltd. His nephew Gerald Williamson managed the Estates for his widow until her death in 1956. He organised the replanting of most of the woodland areas felled during the 2 world wars. He purchased Invereshie Farm in 1957 and later Blackmill, Balnespick and part of Ballintean Farms at the bottom end of Glenfeshie. These farms are now owned and farmed by his youngest daughter Jane Williamson. Gerald Williamson died in 1966.
In 1966 Gerald’s son Fergus Williamson transferred the Estates out of Alvie Estate Ltd. and into his ownership following advice that any sale of the assets would result in double taxation. In January 1972 Alvie and Dalraddy Estates were transferred into a Discretionary Trust but retaining Alvie House and policies in the ownership of Fergus Williamson. The class of beneficiaries were his children and grandchildren.
Fergus Williamson was part of a consortium who invested in downhill skiing in the Cairngorms. He helped build Glenfeshie gliding club on land now owned by Jane Williamson and in 1968 opened Dalraddy Caravan Park (now Dalraddy Holiday Park). He also turned parts of Alvie House into self catering holiday accommodation and rented out the grouse shooting and deer stalking on a commercial basis.
In 1983 Dalraddy Estate was transferred into the ownership of Jamie Williamson, the eldest son of Fergus Williamson. Alvie Farm was transferred into a limited partnership with Jamie Williamson being the general partner and Alvie Trust the limited partner. Following the death of Fergus Williamson in 1987 the widow of Fergus transferred ownership of Alvie House and policies to their eldest son Jamie Williamson in 1991.
Woodlands
History
By around 1800 most of Badenoch was devoid of trees. Lady Grant of Rothiemurchus wrote of going over the weary moor of Alvie to the Loch of the same name. Over most of the nineteenth century more tree planting took place in the north east of Scotland than anywhere else in Europe. Seafield Estates alone planted over 18,000 hectares in the 19th century including much of Abernethy and Kinveachy, woodlands we now regard as semi natural and natural ancient Scots pine woodlands.
Sir John Ramsden established the mature timber on Alvie between 1869 and 1877. Some 800 hectares (2,000 acres) in total were deer fenced and planted. Much of Alvie’s forests were felled for the war efforts during both world wars. Replanting took place in the 1950’s up to an elevation of 430m a.s.l.
The original plantings were around 80% Scots pine, 10% European larch and another 10% Norway spruce in wetter areas. It is understood that the Scots pine seedlings came from some of the best trees of the original Caledonian pine woodlands. During the 2nd world war a large proportion of the woodland planted by Sir John Ramsden was felled for the War effort. Between 1945 and 1960 almost all of the areas felled during the war were replanted by Gerald Williamson, the grandfather of the current Laird. Small areas of lodgepole pine and sitka spruce were added to the restock areas planted in the 1950-60’s. Broadleaves are for the most part the result of natural regeneration in areas where livestock have been excluded.
Objective of Management
The main purpose of planting trees is to provide a source of capital that can be realised as and when required without reducing the land holding. There is no capital gains tax on the sale of timber in contrast to the sale of land which can result in capital gains tax of up to 30% of the value of the asset sold plus stamp duty. Deaths of owners normally result in an inheritance tax charge of up to 40% of the value of the assets held. Divorces, weddings and requirements to reinvest to maintain the financial viability of the holding also create demands for capital that otherwise would have to come from outside the estate.
Tree planting has continued to be primarily for timber production although the some plantations have also been planted to provide shelter and / or screening.
Current Management
In response to the fall in timber prices, harvesting operations were suspended in 1996. Most of the plantations planted since 1950 had by then had a first thin and it was felt that subsequent thinnings could be delayed without serious silvicultural consequences.
Management policy since 1996 has been to maximise the financial support supplied by the Forestry Commission for environmental improvements where this does not conflict with timber production in the long term, and the Estates’ sporting/farming enterprises.
In 2006/7 the Estate invested in equipment and storage to convert wood into chips for bio-fuel. The Estate is now the main producer of wood chips for bio-fuel in Badenoch & Strathspey. Alvie House is heated with wood chips produced on the Estate. The Estate currently supplies wood chips for boilers within a 40 mile radius of the Estate. The demand for wood to be consumed as bio-fuel has now exceeded the production from Alvie & Dalraddy Estates. Suitable timber is now also being purchased locally providing a local demand for low quality round wood.
As far as practical a continuous cover system of silviculture is being adopted bearing in mind that the two dominant species (Scots pine and birch) are shade intolerant pioneer species. Where feasible mature trees are being group felled leaving seed to trees to naturally regenerate wherever there is sufficient light for Scots pine and birch to re-establish. Planting is often used to augment natural regeneration and produce the desired species balance.
Native Scots pine and birch remain the main species with larch and Norway spruce added for visual amenity and to augment wildlife habitat.
Alvie & Dalraddy Estates remain committed to maintaining viable livestock farming, tourism and timber production.
Alvie Farm Partnership
Alvie Farm Partnership farms ground owned by both Alvie and Dalraddy Estates. In addition it rents grazing on land owned by Balcraggan Farming Company Ltd. and elsewhere.
Alvie Farm is by and largely typical of most farms in this area where the climate and land type greatly influence how the land is managed and the type of farming that can be carried out.
On the farm there is around 300 acres that can be considered “arable” although in this area it more accurately means “can be ploughed”. This ground is used to grow silage, hay and turnips for winter feed and also for grazing cattle and sheep. The bulk of the ground, of around 9000 acres, is unfenced heather hill which is only suitable for extensive sheep grazing.
The farm livestock consist of a herd of 110 suckler cows, a small herd of pedigree shorthorns and a flock of around 840 ewes. The farm is “farm assured” which means we are independently assessed annually to make sure that our animals are treated and cared for to certain standards.
The cows are mainly cross-bred between traditional hardy Scottish breeds, like the shorthorn, and quicker growing continental breeds, like the limousin. The calves are mainly by continental bulls but a shorthorn bull has now been introduced in the last three years. The farm is a member of the Hi-health scheme which monitors the cattle for four major cattle diseases and helps to ensure that the herd remains of high health status.
The sheep are mainly Scottish blackfaces (650) but there is also 180 cross bred ewes. The Blackface ewes are put to either Blackface tups or to Blue face Leicester tups with the cross ewes being put to Beltex cross tups. This allows replacement ewe lambs to be home bred and cross bred lambs to be sold for breeding or fat. The farm is members of the Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association (HISHA) which annually monitors participating flocks for the highly contagious enzootic abortion. This helps to ensure that we stay free from this disease and hopefully help to sell breeding stock at a premium.
Since 2005 Cathryn Williamson and Victor Watson have been building up a herd of pedigree shorthorns. By February 2008 the herd consisted of 8 cows, one bull and 15 calves. 8 of the calves have been produced by embryos purchased from Canada and implanted in shorthorn cross heifers.
Management
The farm is members of two health schemes that help maintain a high health status in the stock. The Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association monitors the sheep for enzootic abortion and allows a premium to be gained in sales of breeding sheep. The Hi-Health Scheme monitors the cattle herd for four different cattle diseases and helps to maintain a healthy herd. The farm has also for many years been farm assured and a member of LEAF (Linking Farming and Environment).
A growing proportion of cattle and sheep are now being slaughtered and butchered locally and sold through Dalraddy Holiday Park shop and Kincraig Stores. Produce can now be purchased on line. The farm has been in the ESA scheme since 2000 and a RSS since 2002Alvie Farm Partnership sublets grazing for horses plus part of Delfour steading to Alvie Stables.
For a number of years Alvie Farm has allowed Highland Natural Products Ltd. to harvest bog myrtle around Jock of the Bog on an experimental basis. In 2005 planted 2.5 hectares of bog myrtle on ground adjoining Jock of the Bog together with an area near Loch Insh and another alongside the river Spey. The purpose is to establish whether bog myrtle can be developed and harvested as a viable crop. Bog myrtle oil is used in cosmetics as an insect repellent and as a mild antiseptic. Boots the chemists are the purchasers of bog myrtle oil supplied by Highland Natural Products.
Alvie Field Sports
Although field sports produces less than 5% of the financial turnover of the Estate it makes up 18% of the property’s capital value. Grouse shooting and stag stalking is the main attraction for potential purchasers of Estates in the area.
Grouse Shooting
Grouse shooting makes the biggest contribution to the game department and takes place from 12th August to early September each year. In normal years the Estate would shoot 9 driven days and 5 walked-up days. On a good year the estate could expect to shoot up to 400 brace.
Red Deer Stalking
The Estate currently culls in the region of 35 stags and 60 hinds & calves per season. Red deer numbers have remained relatively static over the last 30 years although deer culls have increased.
Deer stalking provides an income from deer stalking clients, venison sales and accommodation for stalking clients. Alvie venison can be purchased from Dalraddy Holiday Park shop.
Fishing
In the 1960’s in excess of 60 salmon were caught annually mainly on Loch Insh. Since then there has been a steady decline. The river Spey is still noted for its salmon fishing and salmon, sea and brown trout can still be caught by boat on Loch Insh or by fishing along the banks of the River Spey.
The Estate provides boats for hire on both Loch Alvie and Loch Insh. Loch Alvie provides trout and pike fishing. Scotland’s largest pike is claimed to have been caught on Loch Alvie by Col. Thornton in the 1790s.
There is a put and take fish pond stocked with brown trout at Jock of the Bog. The facility provides an added attraction for those primarily interested in other sporting activities and staying in holiday cottages.
The loch in front of Alvie House is also stocked from the fish hatchery primarily for Alvie House guests.
Falconry
Falconry takes place from 12th August through to early September each season on the estate.
Blue Hare Shooting
The Estate has not shot blue hare commercially for 5 years since the decline of hare numbers throughout the area.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
This facility is used by grouse shooting guests, groups coming for corporate entertainment as well as members of the general public.
Dalraddy Holiday Park
Dalraddy Holiday Park was established in 1968. It covers 39 hectares (97 acres) of what was originally heather moor land. The Park currently contains 95 fully serviced traditional static holiday caravans, 63 fully serviced wooden chalet style caravans, 28 pitches for touring caravans and facilities for up to 50 tents. There is planning consent for a further 5 wooden chalet style caravans which are in the process of being installed. Once this development is complete the Park will potentially be able to provide in the region of 1,000 visitor beds. Services include an office, licensed shop, launderette children’s play park and a central toilet block. The Park also sells static caravans and provides a letting service for caravan owners that includes cleaning and maintenance. Highland Venture run quad bike treks from the Park using the Park office for bookings and as a meeting point.
All of the caravans and chalets are owned by clients, Dalraddy Holiday Park receiving a ground rent for the services provided.
There is a symbiotic relationship between visitor accommodation provided by Dalraddy Holiday Park and local visitor attractions such as horse riding (Alvie Stables), quad biking (Highland Venture), water sports (Loch Insh Watersports), the Highland Wildlife Park, fishing and clay pigeon shooting (Alvie Game) and archery.
Alvie House
Alvie House is a traditional shooting lodge. Parts of the building date from 1858 when the lodge was rebuilt. In 1909/10 Robert Whitehead substantially enlarged the house to its present size. The house was last renovated when Alec Williamson purchased the Estate in 1927. It has been used as the main residence for subsequent Lairds and their families since 1958.
Although primarily a family home the house is occasionally used for shooting parties, weddings and other family gatherings
Alvie Gardens
Alvie Gardens is a 2 acre walled garden that was originally set up to provide the estate with fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers which could not otherwise be obtained locally. The Gardens were closed around 1990 and re-opened in 1995 in partnership with John Christie under a farm diversification scheme. The objective was to grow soft fruit (strawberries) out of season in polytunnels when the price was higher.
In 1998 the business expanded by building three larger tunnels to produce strawberries for the July market as customers were disappointed that there was no fruit available during this period. Harvesting strawberries now starts in the first week of June and continues into October depending on weather conditions. 60% of the strawberries are now harvested in July to meet the seasonal demand.
Raspberries are also grown in polytunnels and harvested from the beginning of July to October. Some of this produce is frozen to provide an income once the crop has finished.
All of the fruit is packed at Alvie and delivered by John Christie as he feels it is important for the customers to meet the producer.
Delfour Fish Hatchery
The hatchery was set up by Martin Moore trading as Inverness Fish Farming in 1991 to produce fish for stocking lochs and rivers. The main production was brown trout although he also produced rainbow trout, brook trout, sea trout, salmon and artic char. Some of these fish were sold on to fish farms.
In 2003 the business was sold to Craig Ireland who currently runs the Hatchery. Delfour hatchery is primarily involved in restocking with salmonids, supplying a number of rivers in Scotland. It also supplies fisheries with one year old fish. Most of the fish are reared for restocking purposes however an increasing proportion of the brown trout production is now being sold retail for food, fresh, smoked and as pate. The company also specialises in salmon and sea trout for river conservation. Inverness Fish Farming has joined the Farm Assured scheme, which along with meeting organic standards, will show that the farming techniques used in the hatchery come under best practise guidelines and demonstrate the highest standard of fish welfare. The hatchery is endeavouring to reduce stocking densities and switching entirely to organically and sustainable produced feed.Craig Ireland also provides environmental consultancy support in the following areas:
- fisheries surveys (including population assessments, electro fishing and the use of non lethal fish capture techniques); commercial fishery advisory support (including stocking levels, regulations, insurance and predation); and
- aquatic weed identification and control.
He also offers advice and support for wild fish production, habitat and population improvement and predation of fish. This consultancy service includes water quality and food supply analysis, pH testing and fish sampling.
Mineral Extraction
The quarries on Alvie and Dalraddy Estates and are ideally positioned to supply a wide range of aggregates, soils and recycled products. They have become an essential source of quarry materials for customers and development projects throughout the Badenoch & Strathspey area. These quarries have proven to be a reliable source of high quality aggregates for civil engineering projects both locally and elsewhere in the Highlands.
Examples of larger projects which have depended on Alvie & Dalraddy Estates quarries over the last few years include:
- Cairngorm funicular railway
- The re-development of the Aviemore Centre
- A9 trunk road improvements
- The railway – extensive emergency repairs following a landslip
- Mountain Access Paths – improving access for all under controlled routes
- Waste water treatment works improvements
- Landfill facility upgrading and extensions
- Many local housing development projects providing both high value and affordable homes to allow people to live and work in the area.
G.F. Job Ltd. who operate the quarries seek to further extend its already wide range of aggregates and decorative landscaping stone based on indigenous materials that compliment the aesthetics of the area while at the same avoiding the need to import materials long distances by road.
Delfour Granite Quarry
Delfour granite quarry is on land owned by Alvie Trust.
Granite rock behind Delfour was extracted in the 19th century for use locally. It is believed it was used in the building of the railway in 1961 and in the construction of buildings such as Dalraddy steading. The present quarry was opened in 1980 by John Mackay of Muir of Ord to provide rock infill when constructing the new A9 trunk road. Approximately 60,000 m3 of rock was extracted before the quarry was closed in 1982. Between 1982 and 1995 stone from the quarry was used by the Cairngorm Chairlift Company for walkways and landscaping.
The quarry was reopened under the management of G.F. Job Ltd. in 1996 primarily for sawing and splitting to provide dimension (building) stone for Granit Union Ltd. Alvie Estate built the building adjoining the quarry and rented it to Granit Union Ltd. Between 1996 and 1999 stone from the quarry was used for building stone (an example is the coins on Grants garage in Aviemore), cubes and setts (there are examples of Alvie cubes and setts in Wick, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ben Alder), dyking stone (almost all the pink stone walls in Aviemore and elsewhere locally are from Delfour quarry), rock armour for river works and aggregate. Granit Union Ltd. relocated to Caithness around 1999. Since then the quarry has been developed by G.F. Job Ltd. for the production of aggregate, rock armour and dyking stone. The rock has also been used on an occasional basis for headstones and feature stones.
Alvie Moor Sand & Gravel Quarry
Alvie Moor Quarry is on land owned by Dalraddy Estate (Jamie Williamson).
A sand and gravel quarry was opened on glacial moraine by G.F. Job Ltd. on Alvie moor in 2002. This is a green field site surrounded by woodland with access off the B9152. , the setting up of this quarry, which is accessed off the B9152 was done with due regard being given to reducing the environmental impact of the operation on the surrounding area. Key factors that were considered to reduce the environmental impact of this operation included screening of the quarry using tree plantations, curved access road to hide quarry workings and noise reducing earth bunds around the perimeter of the site.
Alvie Slate Workings
There is evidence of extensive slate workings on Alvie Estate which it is believed supplied slate for houses locally in the 18th and 19th century. More recently this slate has been used for paths, walls and other features around the estate and in the redevelopment of the Aviemore Mountain Resort. Further amounts are expected to be utilised in various improvement schemes in Aviemore.
Ballourie Schist Workings
There are schist workings on Alvie Estate at Ballourie. The origins of these workings are unknown. More recently schist from these workings has been used by G.F. Job Ltd. for rebuilding a pier at Lochaline and on smaller schemes locally. This stone has been specified for work in Aviemore.
Badenoch Land Management Ltd.
Badenoch Land Management Ltd. was originally set up by Jamie Williamson of Alvie and Allan W. Macpherson-Fletcher of Balavil in 1976 with the intention of managing Balavil, Alvie and Dalraddy Estates and to use these Estates as a base from which to develop a land management contracting and management service. Jamie Williamson has a B.Sc. and PhD in forestry management, Allan a BSc in agriculture. The objective was to provide a business that would hopefully both manage the Directors interests in Balavil, Alvie and Dalraddy Estates and to build up a business that utilised the training and experience of the Directors. The intention was to run or direct the business from the Estates being managed and if possible make the properties financially viable.
The agricultural side of the business did not develop leaving the forestry consultancy, management and contracting side to expand under Jamie Williamson. During the 1980s and early 90s Badenoch Land Management Ltd. carried out forestry contracting work and management work throughout the Scottish Highlands. It also constructed some of the first deer farms in Scotland. In the 1980s Jamie developed computer software for the forest industry which was launched in 1988 and sold under the name of WoodPlan. It assessed timber volumes, predicted growth and assisted timber valuations. It was based on the assumption that trees were primarily grown for timber production. Unfortunately 1988 was the year the UK government removed tax incentives for investments in forestry. Since 1988 further investment in forestry in the UK for timber production has declined rapidly. In 2002 WoodPlan was sold under a management buyout. Using WoodPlan Badenoch Land Management Ltd. carried out a number of timber surveys throughout the UK including Windsor Great Park. They also carried out computer related consultancy for forestry elsewhere including for the Bahama Government, Shell in Chile and Zaffico in Zambia.
More recently Badenoch Land Management Ltd. has provided management services to Alvie and Dalraddy Estates. It also carries out forestry consultancy, management and contracting work on several properties within the Cairngorms National Park including Dunachton, Balavil and Cat Lodge Estates as well as for the RSPB at Insh.
Renewable Energy
Alvie & Dalraddy Estates is endeavouring to become self-sufficient in electricity and heat. It has the potential to be a net exporter of energy in the form of electricity.
Hydro-electric
There is a dam and hydro-electric scheme that supplied direct current electricity for most of the estate plus power to the estate sawmill until the estate was connected to the national grid around 1962. Since then the generator has been mothballed and the transmission lines dismantled. The pipe from the dam now supplies water for the fish hatchery and for houses on the estate.
Around 1995 a bid was made under the Renewable Energy Order by a third party to redevelop the scheme and supply electricity to the national grid. This bid failed.
There are proposals to redevelop the scheme, eliminating the dam and doubling the head of water. Initial investigations indicate that the proposed new scheme is likely to produce in the region of 280 kW of electricity.
Alvie Wood Fuels
In 1999 the cost of oil to heat Alvie House was £4,400 per annum. By 2005 the cost had increased to around £20,000 per annum. In 2004 a feasibility study identified wood chips as the most cost effective alternative fuel. A 250 KW wood chip boiler including underground woodchip silo and feed mechanism was installed in 2006 and commissioned at the end of August 2006. Financial support for this investment has been received from the Forestry Commission and the Local Enterprise Company.
In order to provide wood chips Alvie Farm successfully applied for grant aid from the Forestry Commission to purchase a chipper and convert an 80’ x 40’ (12m x 24m) shed to store and dry wood chips. Within the shed a drying floor has been constructed and a fan installed to blow air through the chips. Batches of around 80 m3 can be dried at a time. A chipper specifically designed to produce chips for bio-fuel was purchased that is capable of producing up to 10 m3 of wood chips per hour.
In 2007 Alvie Farm purchased a 120 horse power tractor capable of travelling at 40 mph on the road and a high tip trailer to deliver to customers with over ground hoppers. The Estate is now supplying a number of customers including a retirement home in Newtonmore, SNH offices in Aviemore, National Trust for Scotland exhibition building at Culloden, Forestry Commission Scotland offices at Culloden and the Scottish School of Forestry at Inverness.
Wind Turbines
In October 2005 the Highland Council produced their Highland Renewable Energy Strategy. 11 areas were identified as suitable for national and major onshore wind farms to meet national and regional energy requirements. One of these areas includes land on Alvie & Dalraddy Estates just outside the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park. It is understood that subsequent discussions has reduced the number of areas identified to 3, one of which includes part of Alvie & Dalraddy Estates. Following discussions with a number of potential developers, neighbours plus management, staff, trustees and beneficiaries within Alvie & Dalraddy Estates, it has been decided to negotiate an option to develop with NPower in conjunction with Balavil and Dunachton Estates.
Housing
On Alvie & Dalraddy Estates there are 28 houses, including Alvie House, in total accommodating approx. 55 local residents, this is 10% of the residents in the Kincraig & Vicinity Community Council area. Most of these houses were built to house Estate staff in the days when staff were more numerous and less able to travel to their place or work.
There is a shortage of accommodation within the CairngormsNational Park area which is perceived to be exacerbated by the high proportion of properties that are used as second homes and holiday lets. 30 – 40% of houses in the Kincraig area are let as holiday homes or used as 2nd homes. The private sector currently provides 53% of rented accommodation in rural Scotland. This is 11 times the number of rented houses provided in rural Scotland by the Housing Associations. However, due in part to fiscal disincentives, the number of private sector rented homes is reducing. This is at a time when rented accommodation provided by Local Authorities is also reducing.
In the Kincraig & Vicinity Community Council area, where Alvie & Dalraddy Estates is located, more than a third of the population live in rented accommodation nearly three quarters of which are provided by the private sector including Alvie & Dalraddy Estates.
Employment
Within the Kincraig & Vicinity Community Council area the Community Council has estimated there are 148.5 full time job equivalents (FTE). Of these 37 (25%) are provided by Alvie & Dalraddy Estates and its tenants.
Sustainability / Self Sufficiency
By around 1950 the estate was largely self sufficient with its own water supply. Electricity was supplied by a dam and water turbine which is still in existence but no longer in use. Public electricity supply did not reach most of the estate until around 1962. Balchurn (Alvie Home Farm) retained a small dairy herd which provided milk and butter until around 1960. The kitchen gardens supplied the estate with fruit and vegetables; beef cattle, sheep, venison and grouse provided meat and the estate sawmill provided sawn timber. Both hens and turkeys were kept for eggs and meat.
Since the 1950s the self sufficiency of the estate has gradually been dismantled as taxes, regulations, economies of scale, cheaper transport and imports has eroded the economics of local production.
