Highlands Rewilding: Fundraising campaign launched to expand ambitious biodiversity project

By Denny Andonova

December 1 2022, 12:01 am

The ambitious Highlands Rewilding project stretches over 2,000 acres across two estates – Beldorney Estate in Aberdeenshire. Image: Highlands Rewilding.

The team behind an award-winning Highland rewilding project hopes to raise millions to combat climate change and biodiversity decline.

Highlands Rewilding is launching a three-month fundraising campaign as part of their ongoing efforts to attract new investors and buy more land in north Scotland.

A total of 50 founding funders joined the initiative in January, injecting £7.6 million into the mass-ownership company to manage more than 2,000 acres on two estates.

The ambitious project currently stretches over Bunloit Estate in Inverness and Beldorney Estate in Aberdeenshire, with owners now aiming to expand further.

It is expected that most of its 50 original investors will re-invest in a clear statement of confidence that increases the chances of institutional and other investments.

Jeremy Leggett, founder of the solar energy company Solarcentury and former scientific director at Greenpeace. Image: Highlands Rewilding.

The mass-ownership company also hopes the project can attract debt from banks in this round which would be a first for a for-profit rewilding project.

Jeremy Leggett, project chief executive and founder of the solar energy company Solarcentury, is encouraging “citizen rewilders” and larger institutions to get involved.

He said: “We ideally want to have hundreds, if not thousands of shareholders from across the world – especially Scotland where we will continue to work as closely as we can with Highland communities.”

Opportunity to invest in the future

The funds raised will enable the company to acquire South Bunloit, Beldorney Castle and one other estate that provides biodiversity opportunities.

If a significantly higher amount is raised, the team believes it will be able to buy off more or larger estates which would widen nature recovery opportunities.

Bunloit Estate is part of a rewilding project with Beldorney Estate.

Mr Leggett added: “We hope we can encourage interest from more financial institutions during this funding round. It is an exciting opportunity to significantly scale the project as we look to invest in more land and people.

“Only with investors will we be able to fulfil our ambitions in helping to tackle biodiversity collapse and the climate emergency.

“More than that, investing in our project is an opportunity to invest in the future and be part of a truly meaningful project that will benefit generations to come.”