Abrdn brings £12m Scottish estate to market

Abrdn Property Income Trust has put a 3,668-acre estate in the Cairngorms National Park up for sale that provides investors with the chance to take part in one of the largest restoration projects in the UK. Known as Far Ralia, the estate has an approved and fully funded reforestation scheme under way that is estimated to sequester an estimated 346,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Knight Frank has been appointed to sell the estate, following the decision by shareholders of Abrdn Property Income Trust in March to enter a managed wind-down of the trust and divest of all its assets. The estate is on the market for £12m. It was acquired by Abrdn three years ago for £7.5m as a way to offset carbon emissions from its property portfolio. Spanning rugged mountains, peat bogs and scenic glens, Far Ralia’s current biodiversity levels sit just below 52%, according to the Biodiversity Intactness Index. However, projections by the Natural History Museum indicate the regeneration plan will allow biodiversity to recover to 94% over the next 75 years. Will Matthews, head of farms & estates at Knight Frank, said: “For investors seeking to align profits with sustainability, Far Ralia represents a rare and compelling opportunity for investors to acquire a vast natural asset that can deliver both environmental and financial prospects. “The estate offers a turnkey solution for any investor looking to establish a scalable carbon sequestration project. The projections that biodiversity can recover to 94% highlights the tremendous potential for enhancing the resilience and ecosystem services provided by this landscape.” An extensive tree-planting program is under way that will see more than 2,100 acres replanted with native Scots pine, birch, oak and other species to recreate the former Caledonian pinewood ecosystem. There is also potential to further restore the estate through peatland restoration across nearly 490 acres through drain blocking and revegetation efforts. Image from Knight Frank