Mar Lodge Estate celebrates status as largest national nature reserve on TV show

The Mar Lodge Estate will celebrate becoming the UK’s largest nature reserve this weekend.

BBC Countryfile presenter Joe Crowley helps mark the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate’s declaration as the newest and largest national nature reserve in the next episode, which will be transmitted on 26 November.

Joe is joined by Trust staff, volunteers and chairman Sir Moir Lockhead, as well as Scottish Natural Heritage deputy chair Sue Walker and people from the local community for the celebration at the Linn of Dee in the heart of the stunning Aberdeenshire estate.

The popular programme spent two days on the UK’s largest nature reserve, filming a series of stories showcasing its varied habitats, wildlife and conservation work for an episode that will transmit at 6.20pm on BBC-1.

The BBC also filmed activity by local school children to help highlight the importance of engaging the local community in the long-term vision and day-to-day management of the new national nature reserve.

Joe Crowley, BBC Countryfile presenter and the pupils from Braemar Primary unveil a new sign to mark Mar Lodge Estate’s designation as a National Nature Reserve

A sign made from larch and inscribed with the words ‘Mar Lodge Estate, National Nature Reserve’ was unveiled by Joe and pupils from Braemar Primary School as the filming came to an end.

David Frew, operations manager at Mar Lodge Estate said: ‘Being recognised as a national nature reserve is so important for both Mar Lodge Estate and the National Trust for Scotland.

‘The estate contains a huge diversity of wildlife, and the accolade recognises the progress made over the last 20 years in managing the property to allow recovery and regeneration of the Caledonian Pine Forest, bringing benefits for wildlife and people alike.

‘We hope that this new status will raise awareness of all that Mar Lodge has to offer and will encourage many more visitors to come and experience this amazing landscape and learn more about the work our charity does to protect it now and forever.’

Sue Walker, SNH deputy chair, continued: ‘We’re delighted that Mar Lodge Estate has become the UK’s newest, as well as largest, National Nature Reserve. Mar Lodge Estate is being recognised for its outstanding nature and the opportunities it provides for people to come and enjoy it.

‘The site represents some of the finest natural visitor experiences that Scotland has to offer. It is particularly pleasing to see the encouraging signs of regeneration, with a whole new generation of trees emerging from the heather as the Caledonian Pinewood recovers.’

The Mar Lodge Estate is owned by the National Trust for Scotland

Mar Lodge Estate was named as a new nature reserve earlier in 2017, along with fellow National Trust for Scotland property, Glencoe. Mar Lodge Estate, which has been in the protection of Scotland’s largest conservation charity since 1995, takes over from the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve as the UK’s largest reserve.

Its landscape is very varied and includes four of Scotland’s five highest mountains, a fertile river valley, heather moorland and wetlands, as well as a regenerating Caledonian Pine forest. It is rich in wildlife with red deer, golden eagles and hen harriers, grouse and many other species.

Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform added: ‘Mar Lodge is a special place and my congratulations go to the National Trust for Scotland for gaining this accolade. This status will help to raise awareness of the rich landscape this cherished area has to offer.

‘We are already witnessing the biodiversity benefits which careful land management in these areas is delivering and I look forward to seeing that work continue in the years ahead.’