AIRLIE ESTATES : Conservation

Conservation, is a very important aspect of the estate, buildings are maintained using traditional materials, controlled heather burning is carried out, deer numbers are kept to a sustainable level and a fly only policy is adopted on the rivers South Esk and Prosen.

As part of the conservation policy carried out by the estate under the guidance of the Esk District Salmon Fishery Board Voluntary Catch and Release Guideline in order to conserve stocks of Salmon the estate undertakes that up to the end of April any salmon caught by anglers on the estate rivers are released. The picture opposite shows our ghillie, Godfrey Darling, who monitors these and other measures which will improve the survival of the Spring Salmon component.

The Rural Stewardship Schemes are adopted wherever possible together with an increase in land farmed under organic methods. Commercial forestry includes the production of Airlie Hardwoods for traditional kiln dried floorboards.