In the heart of Aberdeenshire, Kildrummy and GlenKindie estates are undergoing quiet but meaningful transformation. Rich in history and rooted in the community, these lands are now guided by a vision for restoration: of ecosystems, historic spaces, and the connections between people and place.

Kildrummy and GlenKindie together span thousands of acres of woodlands, farmlands, rivers, and historic structures. Kildrummy Castle, once the stronghold of the Earls of Mar, and GlenKindie Castle, a 16th-century home reimagined in the Arts and Crafts style, anchor the landscape with rich history. Today, the estates hold more than ruins and rose beds—they hold new life.

The hills that once echoed with sport shooting are now home to a different kind of care. Grouse moors are being reimagined as biodiverse woodlands. Sitka spruce plantations are giving way to native species. We are supporting the return of salmon to the River Don, and deer are managed not for sport, but as part of a balanced ecosystem.

Restoration in Action

Rewilding here is not just about letting nature take over. It’s an active process of repair. Species that once vanished are now being given the conditions to return. Hunting and trapping as sport has ended – now employed as resource management.

Tracts of land long altered for commercial gain are now being restored to complex, living systems that sustain flora, fauna, and carbon alike.

This is not conservation for conservation’s sake. It’s about creating a more resilient future, ecologically, economically, and socially. Wind turbines continue to generate clean energy. Historic buildings are restored with care. Local employment is stronger than before, with new roles in land management, restoration, and hospitality.

Rewilding in action

Community at the Centre

While the land has changed hands over the centuries, what remains constant is the presence and pride of the local community. That’s why the work on these estates is done in collaboration with local partners, schools, artisans, and neighbours. Events like the Kildrummy Rally bring people together to celebrate the area’s energy and resilience. We warmly welcome visitors to stroll through the whimsical yew topiary and rose beds of GlenKindie’s gardens on Scottish Gardens Scheme Open Days.

There’s space here to wander, to wonder, and to witness a place in the midst of renewal.

Panoramic estate view

Looking Forward

The history of these estates is long, and not without complexity. But we believe the future can be one of balance, where local people benefit from healthy land, where past and present coexist, and where restoration becomes legacy.

Whether you come to explore, to learn, or to reconnect with nature, there’s a place for you here. See you soon.

Gallery

KGK Estates is proud to support local organisations

At KGK Estates, we continue a long-standing tradition of care for the land and for the people who call it home. We believe the true strength of this place lies in the everyday efforts of its community, and we quietly lend our hands—sometimes through time, sometimes through resources—to support that shared rhythm.

Our commitment is simple: to be good stewards, good neighbours, and thoughtful partners in the life of this place as it grows and carries forward the spirit that’s always been here.

Here are just a few of the local groups and initiatives we're proud to support:

Brand 1 Alford Valley Community Railway Brand 1 Alford Academy Pipe Band Brand 1 Vale of Alford Bowling Club Brand 1 Grampian Transport Museum Brand 1 Lonach Highland Games Aberdeen Sinfonietta Group Corgarff Picnic and Games Cushie Picnic and Games Murray Park, Alford Lumsden School Towie School