A modern highland estate
The Lovat Estate has been in the Fraser family for 700 years, managing the assets of the chiefs of Clan Fraser since the 13th century when the first Frasers settled in the Aird. The current chief, Simon Fraser, 18th Lord Lovat, is the 25th clan chief. This long history and its deep-rooted connection with the community have shaped our values and today provide the foundation upon which we apply a modern and dynamic estate management approach.
Lovat Estate is run from the long standing estate office in the centre of Beauly, Inverness-shire. The business has been built on a land and property portfolio in the surrounding area, but is increasingly looking towards more financial investment opportunities both in Scotland and beyond.
The family fell on hard times in the early 1990’s and were forced to sell a large portion of the modern Lovat Estates, but in the 25 years since it has thrived thanks to steady management and wise investing. This has allowed us to buy back numerous old Lovat family assets, doubling the size of the estate in the past 25 years, rebuilding from the bottom up.
A long term approach to land management
The estate is more fragmented than typical Scottish estates due to asset sales in the 1990s. This resulted in a business made up of numerous small holdings spread over a large area. In the last 20 years we have bought back land parcels where possible, forming a core block around Beauly.
Farming is not a direct focus for the Estate; we prefer to lease our agricultural land to local farmers who are best placed to manage it. Our energy goes into ensuring the infrastructure around the land is upkept properly — for instance into tree management and general environmental stewardship.
Please contact Stuart Mack for land realted issues.
Homes full of charm and history.
The Lovat Estates consists of a portfolio of lovely old properties full of charm and history. Many of these have been renovated in the last 10 years with the goal of creating picturesque exteriors with warm and cosy interiors, well equipped for highland life.
We currently own approximately sixty houses in the Beauly area which are let on residential tenancies. Any vacant properties available are advertised via the Highland Solicitors Property Centre. Most of these houses have been renovated since 2008.
The let houses comply with the Repairing Standard and this, together with a Scottish Private Residential Tenancy (SPRT) lease, form the basis of new tenancy agreements. Dogs and pets are allowed in some of the let properties, at our discretion. Tenants are supplied with a Tenant Information Pack and their deposits are held by Safe Deposits Scotland.
Properties are let under the trading name of Lovat Estates Limited which is approved under the private landlord registration scheme. Registration no. 45931/270/26190.
New Applicant Form
A small portfolio of local commercial assets.
Where opportunities arise, we have been expanding our commercial portfolio and continue to look for new inflation-hedging assets to develop in the wider area. We are open to buying and rennovating assets as well as new builds, depending on where we see value.
Our commercial holdings include a mix of traditional and modern premises, all carefully managed to provide stable, long-term returns while serving the needs of the local business community.
In 2018 the estate purchased the old Bank of Scotland building in Beauly (picture) which was derelict at the time. This is now a dynamic commercial asset with two long term tenants adding value to Beauly's status as a premium Highland village.
Holiday lets
River Beauly Lodge
Luxury lodge on the banks of the Beauly river. Sleeps up to 14 people, and is a few minutes drive from Beauly village.
Visit site →Groam Farmhouse
Charming and cozy farmhouse close to the Beauly river. Sleeps up to 6 people, and is a few minutes drive from Beauly village.
Visit site →Grace Cottage
Very private little house on a hill side with views of the Beauly Firth. Sleeps 5 people, and is 10 minutes from Inverness.
A forestry inheritance, continued.
The Estate has been synonymous with forestry for over a century now. In 1919 the 16th Lord Lovat, great grandfather to the current one, was appointed the first Chairman of the Forestry Commission. Under his leadership, the early achievements of the organisation were considerable, with many thousands of hectares of new planting across the country. His vision and influence had a profound effect on forestry during his period as Chairman and long after his retirement. He died in 1933 and is buried at the beautiful church of St Mary’s Eskadale, 5 miles to the west of Beauly.
In recent years we have followed in his footsteps and have undertaken a raft of new plantings — mostly native woodland on marginal land. Over and above these larger blocks of woodland, we have planted thousands of amenity trees across various areas, including the Cnoc Na Rath walk in Beauly, Groam of Annat, Fanellan and Kirkton.
If you own property that was previously Estate land you may be of the understanding that trees growing on that property are still within our ownership. Having sought legal opinion on the matter, the Estate would like to inform all proprietors who are in this position that the terms of the original agreement are no longer applicable. Unless they have subsequently been sold, you, as proprietor of the land, will also own the trees.
Fishing & shooting on the Beauly.
Lower Beauly Fishing
The best fishing on the river are the three prime beats — Falls, Home and Downie — that make up the lower Beauly. Spread over two miles on both banks with fishing huts and a ghillie on each beat. Lovat Estate lets a number of weeks throughout the season to long standing tenants.
Club Water
This stretches from the Lovat Bridge to Wester Lovat and is let to the Beauly Angling Club, founded during the Second World War by the 15th Lord Lovat. There are ten pools over 7 miles of fishing. Day, week or season permits are available to members of the public
The Middle River
From Kilmorack dam to Easter Main, fishing on the Middle River is arranged through Donald Fraser at Morrisons Ironmongers, Beauly. Please contact him if you are interested in taking a day
Roe Deer
There is a limited amount of roe deer shooting on the estate that accompanies our forest management. We lease these shooting rights on an annual basis and tenants need to be insured and experienced.