About
On the upper reaches of the River Spey, just on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, lies Kinrara: a 9,200-acre estate of forests, moorland, peat bogs, rivers, and lochs. For centuries, this landscape has been shaped by farming, forestry, and field sports, carrying both the richness of nature and the marks of human use.
In recent years, BrewDog began a process of ecological renewal here through ambitious woodland creation and peatland restoration projects. Today, Oxygen Conservation is proud to continue this work as the new custodians of Kinrara, committed to its long-term recovery and regeneration.
We see Kinrara as a landscape of enormous potential: a place where thriving woodlands, restored peatlands, and healthy rivers can form the foundation of one of Scotland’s most ambitious ecological regeneration projects.
“Kinrara represents one of Scotland’s most ambitious opportunities for large-scale ecological restoration. By combining woodland creation, peatland recovery, and biodiversity enhancement, we aim to demonstrate how a landscape can be transformed to deliver for nature, climate, and people, creating a resilient model of regeneration that can inspire projects across the country.”
Environment
Kinrara is a living mosaic of habitats, supporting an extraordinary range of wildlife. Its rivers and lochs sustain salmon and sea trout, while ancient pinewoods shelter capercaillie and Scottish crossbill. Vast peatlands lock away carbon, moorlands provide breeding grounds for upland birds, and expanding native woodlands create new ecological connections across the landscape.
This diversity makes Kinrara not only a potential haven for biodiversity but also a place where nature-based solutions can contribute meaningfully to tackling the climate and nature crises.
Our Plans
At Kinrara, our restoration vision brings together woodland creation, peatland recovery, and biodiversity enhancement into one connected programme. Working with TreeStory, our tree planting partners, we will expand one of the Highlands’ largest woodland creation projects, planting diverse native species to capture carbon, reconnect habitats, and build resilience from riverside woodlands to mountain birchwoods.
Alongside this, we will continue peatland restoration, rewetting degraded bogs to secure carbon, improve water quality, and create habitats for rare species. Together, these actions will strengthen biodiversity across the estate, from salmon in the rivers to capercaillie in the pinewoods. By deepening ecological understanding and exploring high-integrity carbon credits to support long-term recovery, we will ensure Kinrara thrives in this extraordinary part of Scotland.
