NRN PARTNER: Ballachar

BALLACHAR

Location:
Dores, Highland
Area Committed:
230 acres

Ballachar lies on the northern shore of Loch Ruthven, a haven for water birds, and part of the River Ness catchment. A mosaic of heather, bracken and mature birch covers a significant part of the landholding close to the loch. The site also contains regenerating woodland and upland pasture. Facilitating new woodland regeneration, in the face of high sika deer numbers, remains an ongoing challenge.

Key rewilding commitments:

  • MORE NATIVE WOODLAND: Explore construction of native seed islands across site; maintain pressure on deer population to facilitate woodland regeneration.
  • MORE SPACE FOR WATER: Explore leaky dam and seek opportunities for scrapes across the site.
  • JOINED UP HABITATS: Removal of redundant fencing to enhance wildlife connectivity.
  • RETURN MISSING SPECIES: Enrichment with missing native species (juniper, aspen, holly, hazel).
  • LET NATURE LEAD: Removal of non-native rhododendron and sitka spruce.
  • REINSTATE NATURAL GRAZING: Explore opportunities for reintroduction of wild grazing native cattle as proxies for missing herbivores.

“We’re just beginning to see what Ballachar could look like if nature is allowed to recover. We want to do everything in our power to make that happen and help others to do the same.” 

Jack Bessell, Owner