New green laird Oxygen Conservation keen to gather local views on future of Dorback Estate by Nethy Bridge
The new owners of a Strathspey estate are inviting the public to an open day later this month to gather their thoughts and aspirations for the holding.
Oxygen Conservation acquired Dorback Estate by Nethy Bridge in December, last year, and have since been meeting with neighbours, partners, and community groups.
The Exeter-based firm has said it wants to be long-time custodians of the former shooting estate which extends to more than 45,000 acres.
Related article:
LONG READ: New green laid talks scaling conservation in the Cairngorms
They hope to reconnect fragmented woodlands, restore expansive peatland habitats, improve rivers and create new areas of bird-abundant wetlands.
The new owners have also said they are keen that the land not only benefits the environment but also local people.
An Oxygen Conservation spokeswoman said: “We still have a lot to learn about the estate in order to turn this vision into reality so over the next 12 months we will be undertaking extensive surveys, speaking to key stakeholders and community groups, and appointing expert consultants to help bring this vision to life.
“Our plans include restoring historic buildings, exploring the potential for affordable housing and enhancing existing nature-immersive retreats, making it a world-class destination for sustainable tourism.
“We would like to invite all interested community members to a drop-in event being held at the Nethy Bridge Community Centre on April 24.”
“This will be an opportunity to meet Oxygen Conservation and our partners and share your thoughts and hopes for Dorback Estate.
The company also plans to launch a community newsletter and website following the event to keep everyone informed about ongoing projects, activities, and opportunities at Dorback.
Further drop-in events are planned for the summer and autumn.
Oxygen Conservation described the purchase as ‘one of the most significant natural capital acquisitions in the history of the UK’ when the sale was completed at the end of last year.
The three-year-old firm now owns 12 estates spanning 43,000 acres across the UK.
The price paid for the estate has not been disclosed.
A bit more about Oxygen Conservation
The company’s mission is to scale conservation. It was founded by Rich Stockdale to tackle the climate crisis and biodiversity collapse, we are restoring nature at scale across the UK—from Cornwall to the Highlands.
The company invests directly in the acquisition of land to protect and restore natural processes—storing carbon, providing space for nature, and delivering positive environmental and social impacts.
Find out more about the company at https://www.oxygenconservation.com/ and readers can sign up to their newsletter by scanning this QR code.
