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A vast Highland estate has been acquired in a landmark deal aimed at restoring a mosaic of Scotland’s most precious habitats, from peatlands and woodlands to heathlands, in a bid to bolster biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Oxygen Conservation, a company specialising in large-scale environmental restoration, has purchased the 15,000-acre Dorback Estate, nestled within the Cairngorms National Park near Abernethy. The acquisition, hailed as the UK’s largest natural capital investment to date, marks a significant step in the company’s ambitious efforts to restore degraded landscapes while creating carbon credits for businesses seeking to sustainably offset emissions.

The Dorback Estate, a striking expanse of moorland, forest, and mountain terrain, was historically part of the holdings of Clan Grant and later used in part for deer and grouse shooting. The new custodians, however, do not allow game shooting, instead prioritising ecological regeneration on a landscape scale.

Oxygen Conservation, which now oversees more than 43,000 acres across the UK, has pledged to embark on an extensive data-gathering phase over the next 12 to 18 months before implementing detailed restoration plans. This period will involve comprehensive ecological surveys and close engagement with the local community to inform a long-term conservation strategy.

A company spokesperson emphasised the importance of understanding the estate’s intricate ecosystems before undertaking major interventions. “We are deeply committed to the long-term conservation and regeneration of this unique landscape,” they said. “However, we recognise the need for a thorough understanding of the land before making any significant changes.”The restoration of Dorback aligns with broader efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss through habitat revival. The estate’s peatlands, a crucial carbon sink, will be a key focus, alongside the improved management and expansion of native woodland and the restoration of open heathland to support diverse wildlife populations.

The acquisition follows Oxygen Conservation’s purchase of the 12,000-acre Invergeldie Estate in Perthshire and over 500 acres at Dog Bank on the Firth of Tay. The company’s growing portfolio underscores the increasing emphasis on nature-based solutions as both an environmental and economic imperative.

With the Dorback project set to unfold over the coming years, the initiative is expected to serve as a key model for the future of large-scale conservation in the UK’s uplands, demonstrating how sustainable land management can deliver lasting benefits for people, nature and the climate alike.