Balnagown Estate

14/02/2025

Wishing all of our happy couples here on the estate a peaceful and romantic Valentine's Day 💕

11/02/2025

Great news 🥳 Our prices are staying the same for 2025 🔑

We're delighted that we are able to keep our self catering holidays the same price as 2024, when so much is rising around us. We hope you'll be able to join us on the estate this year.

To see our different properties, visit: balnagown.com/holiday-properties

07/02/2025

Thank you to everyone who liked and shared and took part in our Valentine's Giveaway!

We are delighted to announce that Jodie Macdonald was selected at random and has won a 3 night stay on the estate, we hope she has a wonderful time!

As a thank you to everyone who has taken part, we'd like to offer you a 10% discount on stays at Balnagown Estate between now and 15th April 2025, just quote 59141 when you book online, via email [email protected] or over the phone 01862 843 601. We hope we can welcome you to the estate soon!

https://www.balnagown.com/

05/02/2025

What an incredible day and such a happy couple! An absolute joy to be able to be a part of this special day that they will cherish forever ❤️

04/02/2025

🚗 Can You Help? 🚗

We're looking for the owner of this white Vauxhall Astra van which has been parked at Rhives Road end since the 9th of January. The farmer can't get into the field and we'd love to reunite the vehicle with its owner! 🐄

If it's yours or know who it might belong to, we'd be so grateful for any help. Please contact the office on 01862 843 601 or [email protected] if you have any info.

Thank you! 🙏

03/02/2025

Balnagown Podcast: A Spirited Heritage; the New Gledfield Distillery

Host Sara is joined by Ciara Bow, founder of Gledfield Distillery as they delve into her inspirations and aspirations. She tells stories of her great, great grandmother, 'Red Marj' who was born in 1884 and lived on a croft in Ardgay, and many tales of her illicit brewing and distilling have carried on down the generations.

Learn about the new Gledfield Distillery, the history behind it and Ciara's journey to bring an ancient botanical spirit back home to Sutherland.

Find the podcast here:
https://www.balnagown.com/podcast/ and on major music streaming sites.

31/01/2025

>>> 💕 Valentine’s Giveaway 💕

29/01/2025

Huge thanks to everyone who came along to our Deer Fence Demos this week.

Thank you to StowAg and Fetra Fencing, Hayden Wheatcroft, Geoff Goodfellow and Clipex UK, McVeigh Parker Farm and Fencing Suppliers, Julian Cox at Meddat Farm for assisting with the post knocker and everyone who attended and shared their skills and knowledge.

The posts will be up on the estate for the next few days, if anyone would like to take a look please contact the office ~ [email protected] or 01862 843 601 to arrange a time.

28/01/2025

Book Out Now: ‘The English Table’ by Award Winning Editor, Publisher and Author Jill Norman

Jill’s latest book is a delicious journey through all the delectable foods that have graced the tables of English households from the time of the hunter gatherer to the present day and includes a nod to Balnagown and in particular the Ardgay Icehouse.

It is a typical example of an 18th century icehouse, standing on the edge of the Dornoch Firth, solid and stoic, and has no doubt fed the imagination of many a passer-by. The significance of this local landmark is, however, far from typical. With its awe-inspiring vaulted ceilings, it is from here that the frozen food industry in the UK began and revolutionized the face and character of the British table.

Thoroughly recommended, ‘The English Table’ by Jill Norman can be found in all good bookshops. For those who would like a fuller and more detailed history of the Ardgay Icehouse, the estate has produced a blog and podcast which will soon be up on our website: buff.ly/3VmUAAi.

26/01/2025

* CLOSING DATE SET *

Poplars Steading in Ardgay will go to a closing date on Monday 27th January.
Offers over £80,000
Contact Mackenzie and Cormack : 01862 892046 / [email protected]

CLOSING DATE: MONDAY 27th JANUARY 2025! Substantial property under a slate roof, fenced off & boarded up. Prospective viewers should note that the house & buildings are in a dangerous condition. Surrounding stone steadings are included. Superb opportunity for extensive renovation or new build. Garde...

25/01/2025

The perfect Highland stay to celebrate Burns Night ~ with stunning wildlife and walks to stretch out those weary ceilidh-dancing muscles and refresh you the morning after one too many drams...

Wishing you all a joyous Burns Night ~ Sláinte Mhath! 🥃

Property: Swiss Chalet Self Catering Property, Balnagown Estate [ Sleeps 2 ]

Photo credit: Elliot Roberts Shooting

24/01/2025

Balnagown Castle on iPlayer

There's still a week left to watch Crofter and TV personality, Sweeny, as he follows in the footsteps of Gaels who transformed America’s Wild West. He saddles up with real life cowboys at the Matador Ranch, once run by Ross-shire Gael and successful cattle baron Murdo MacKenzie.

Eagle-eyed viewers will spot Balnagown Castle about 3 minutes in to the programme 🧐 see if you can spy the castle, Rhamore and the estate during the show - as well as our cows!

Find it on BBC iPlayer and see some behind the scenes shots and more information about Murdo Mackenzie on our estate blog.

https://buff.ly/3PLUuAr

Western movie fan Sweeny discovers the US. Sweeny ‘s na Stàitean, dùthaich filmean an iar.

23/01/2025

Metal Deer Fence Post Demonstration

Monday 27th January
Balnagown Core Estate
11am

In the morning there will be a demonstration of the posts from StowAg using the FETRA Fence system with Hayden Wheatcroft and then at 1pm we will have a demonstration by Mcveigh Parker Scotland using the Clipex system by Geoff Goodfellow.

With the extent of deer fencing required and the long lifespan these metal posts have, lasting 35-40 years, this is useful for potential carbon/native schemes where growth is slower and wooden posts may not last long enough for the schemes to be fully established.

We welcome local fencing contractors who would like to join us for either or both of these sessions. Spaces are limited, if you would like to book a place on this demonstration please contact reception: [email protected] or 01862 843 601.

20/01/2025

What a thrill to see these beautiful images shot on Balnagown Estate on display at The House of Bruar. They showcase some of their stunning autumn winter collection ~ which you could need on any given day in the year in the Highlands!

17/01/2025

Proposed Windfarm on Balnagown Estate

In keeping with the estate’s policy to protect and improve the environment, as well as mitigate the effects of climate change, Fred. Olsen Renewables recently released plans for a proposed new windfarm on Balnagown Estate in Sutherland. The site, referred to as the Invercassley Windfarm, is located 5 kms northwest of Rosehall across the slopes of Beinn Rosail, Beinn an Eoin Beag and Carn Mor.

The proposal is for a development of 22 turbines up to 230 metres high with 30 MW of battery storage. Such a site would generate in the region of 158MW of clean electricity per year and create a community benefit fund of more than £25 million over the lifetime of this project which is 35 years.

Plans for the Invercassley Windfarm are at a very early stage with communications having been sent to stakeholders and immediate neighbours in December 2024. Public Consultation for the project will be ongoing with the first events scheduled for the 24th and 25th February 2025 in Rosehall Community Hall. At these consultations residents and interested parties will be able to converse with the Fred. Olsen Renewables Team and view visual representations of the site. The team will be delighted to answer questions and gather feedback.

For more information please visit https://buff.ly/4fZTcMY or contact [email protected]

Fred. Olsen Renewables UK
Rosehall Village & Hall

[ Image: Rothes Wind Farm, Moray ]

16/01/2025

* TOP SECRET *

Shh - this is not to be shared! 🤫 We have compiled our top romantic getaway ideas for your ultimate Valentine's Day so ALL you have to do is pick up the phone and book to come and stay on our private estate!

💕 Dawn ~ get up early, pack a flask of coffee and a blanket and head to Tarbat Ness lighthouse (sun rises around 8am, it's a half hour drive)

💕 Head back via The Egg Box Shop and grab some fresh eggs from the vending machine on the farm

💕 Let your loved one climb back under the sheets (we've got Sky TV and Wi-Fi) and potter in the kitchen whipping up a hearty brunch in bed

💕 Wander round the stunning grounds of the estate, take one of the boats out on Loch Larrack and listen to the sounds of the birds with a picnic for two

💕 Walk back via the nature hide and relax in the tub in our individually designed elegant bathrooms and cook up a feast together for dinner with a bottle of fizz - or head out to one of the local restaurants for a top notch feed

💕 On your way back, look out for the Northern Lights which are out a lot at this time of year in the Highlands - thanks to Scot Land, Sea & Sky for this incredible shot over the Struie

💕 Then it's time to snuggle up by the fire with a local dram - of which there are many excellent ones to choose from

We still have some availability at our self-catering properties so get in touch and book your dream Valentine's and show your partner they mean the world to you. 01862 843 601 or [email protected].

And don't worry - this was all your idea. We won't say a word! 🤫

13/01/2025

New Podcast: Everyone Loves a Wedding

Join our host Sara as she talks all things weddings with the immensely talented Wedding Planner Hannah Perry of Conifer Events. Hannah has a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for crafting extraordinary celebrations and has been instrumental in creating memories of a lifetime for happy couples at Balnagown.

Find the wedding podcast here: https://buff.ly/4aRkW3w

You can also find all of our podcasts on major music streaming sites, just search Balnagown Estate Podcast.

9 unique self-catering holiday homes on a 39000 acre private estate in the Scottish Highlands

Fishing • Wild swimming • Walled Garden • Dog friendly • Pizza oven by the loch • Free bike hire • Wood burning stoves • Indoor & outdoor gyms

09/01/2025

Invergordon Academy's Rural Skills crew have been learning about processing firewood with Daniel and Mark. They join us once a week, it's a great opportunity to spend some time outdoors on the estate and share skills with the next generation.