The Family

Glen Tanar is now owned and managed by Michael Bruce and his wife Claire, who continue the tradition of caring for and enhancing the rich natural and cultural heritage of Glen Tanar.

The family’s ownership of the estate can be traced back to 1905, when Glen Tanar was bought for £155,000 by George Coats, later Lord Glentanar, the owner of a Paisley cotton firm. His wife, Baroness Glentanar, sought to protect the wild land quality of "The Glen", winning a notable court case and preventing ‘charabancs’ (buses) from driving all the way to the foot of Mount Keen.

Thomas, second Baron Glentanar, introduced biodynamic farming into "The Glen", and encouraged the natural regeneration of the forest which had suffered through fire, gale and wartime fellings. The now forest remains one of the estate’s most outstanding features.

Thomas’ daughter, the Honourable Mrs Jean Bruce, inherited the estate in 1971. She brought further protection to the old forest by agreeing to the creation of a National Nature Reserve in 1979. Glen Tanar Charitable Trust, formed by Mrs Bruce, looks after the Chapel of Saint Lesmo and provides the Braeloine Visitor Centre and Ranger Service.

Michael is the fourth generation of the family to own the estate.  He and Claire have three children – Alasdair, Ella and Angus.