Award-winning Grosvenor’s Reay Forest Estate, Sutherland, is hosting a free public open day next month inviting people to learn more about the work that goes into managing a traditional rural estate in one of Europe’s last wildernesses. 

Situated in Sutherland in the north-west Highlands, the estate – which is renowned for its excellence in conservation, leading country sports and the beauty of its unspoilt landscape – is throwing open its doors on Saturday, 2 May, from 10am-4pm at Achfary. No prior booking is necessary. 

The event offers a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of the estate, which last year was awarded the highest ever score in Europe for land management and conservation, becoming the first organisation in the UK to receive a gold accreditation from Wildlife Estates.  

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour activity centres and stations shining a light on the people, roles and responsibilities that support the management of the estate, including deer management, sustainable forestry, maintenance and operating the estate’s holiday lodges. 

The event also includes partner organisations North West Highlands GeoPark, Countryside Learning Scotland, the West Sutherland Fisheries Trust and the Atlantic Salmon Trust – who we are working in partnership with to deliver one of the UK’s most extensive landscape-scale, ecosystem-wide, conservation projects to restore endangered wild Atlantic salmon populations. 

A traditional “soup and sweet” will be available for a donation in aid of North West Sutherland Schools Parent Council, which supports schools in the region to ensure the needs of young people are met and that they all have the best possible opportunity to reach their potential.
 
 A separate schools focussed event will take place earlier in the week with more than 100 pupils from nearby secondary and primary schools in Kinlochbervie, Gairloch, Ullapool, Durness, Scourie and Lochinver expected to attend. 
 
 The last open days were hosted in 2024 when more than 300 people from nearby communities visited the Reay Forest across the two days, learning more about how Grosvenor is delivering a lasting economic, social and environmental benefit through its activities. 
 

For more information, please telephone +44 1971 500221 or email ruralestates.enquiries@grosvenor.com.