Living, working and caring for the land — naturally.
Glen Tanar is more than a beautiful place to visit — it’s a living, working estate where nature, people and enterprise thrive side by side. Sustainability isn’t a single project here; it’s a way of life, rooted in care for the land and a deep respect for heritage.
The Bruce family continue a long tradition of stewardship, investing in renewable energy, conservation and community. Every decision — from forestry and farming to tourism and events — is shaped by a commitment to ensure this extraordinary landscape can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Glen Tanar is managed as a sustainable, thriving landscape. From the River Dee through productive farmland and responsibly managed forestry, into the Glen Tanar National Nature Reserve, and up through open moorland rising to Mount Keen, the estate spans one of the most diverse and connected ecosystems in the eastern Cairngorms.
This diversity allows long-term, large scale management; restoring peatlands to lock in carbon, supporting biodiversity, protecting rivers and sustaining traditional land uses alongside conservation. It’s a holistic approach that balances people, nature and productivity, ensuring the estate continues to thrive for generations to come.
Tourism and events are key parts of Glen Tanar’s business model, but they sit alongside the traditional work of a Highland estate — forestry, farming and land management — that give this place its enduring character.
The estate spans 4,000 hectares of commercial and conservation forestry, producing around 10,000 tonnes of timber each year. Some is used in construction, and some for biomass — both on the estate and to power a local whisky distillery. Visitors can explore the third-largest native Caledonian pinewood in Scotland, home to rare and protected species such as red squirrels, Scottish crossbills and capercaillie.
A biomass district heating system, powered by sustainably sourced wood chips from the estate, provides renewable heating and hot water to estate buildings, tenants and holiday guests. With an ethos of using local resources responsibly, Glen Tanar’s approach keeps energy production within the estate — reducing carbon emissions and supporting the circular economy.
The estate is also home to a small herd of Highland cattle, grazing in fields within the estate — a familiar and much-loved sight for visitors. Glen Tanar supports local farmers through partnerships and tenancies that sustain the area’s rural economy while protecting the integrity of the land.
At the heart of Glen Tanar lies a National Nature Reserve, managed in partnership with NatureScot. Through a balanced approach to land management, the estate conserves habitats, supports biodiversity and strengthens the long-term resilience of its forests. Over the next 5 years, more than 1,000 acres of new woodland will be established through natural regeneration, adding over 1 million trees to Glen Tanar, helping to lock away carbon.
The forests are managed as one connected landscape, combining the production of timber with long-term conservation. Using low-impact, continuous cover forestry, Glen Tanar works with natural processes — prioritising gradual change, renewal and regeneration — to maintain healthy, diverse woodland that delivers environmental, economic and social benefits for generations to come.
Across the estate, you’ll find a collection of elegant Victorian buildings designed by architect George Truefitt, crafted from local pink and grey granite, with slate roofs and intricate Arts and Crafts detailing. Many buildings were originally constructed as model farms, reflecting the era’s spirit of innovation and improvement.
Scattered throughout the estate are large inscribed stones— from horse troughs to memorial stones — many bearing the initials of the estate’s 19th Century owner, Sir William Cunliffe Brooks, and short phrases such as “Rest and Be Thankful.” Discovering them has become a favourite pastime for visitors, with history and heritage waiting at every turn.
Reducing emissions and promoting low-impact travel are key to Glen Tanar’s sustainability journey. Electric vehicle and e-bike charging points are available across the estate, and guests are encouraged to explore on foot, by bike or horseback, and to enjoy locally sourced produce during their stay.
It’s all part of making every visit authentic, memorable and environmentally responsible.
Being a sustainable working estate means looking forward while staying grounded. At Glen Tanar, tradition and innovation go hand in hand — honouring the past, supporting the present and protecting the future.
With nature at its core and community at its heart, Glen Tanar stands as a living example of how to balance the needs of people, wildlife and enterprise in one remarkable Highland glen.
