Mar Lodge Estate

Mar Lodge Estate is a nature reserve spanning around 29,000 hectares within Cairngorms National Park, featuring mountain terrain, ancient forests, and the source waters of the River Dee. The grounds support herds of free-roaming deer and contain numerous walking trails of varying difficulty.

The lodge was built in 1895 as a hunting retreat for the Duke and Duchess of Fife and remained privately owned until 1995. Its transfer to National Trust ownership marked a major shift toward conservation and public access to the land.

The ballroom contains hunting trophies that reflect Scotland's hunting traditions and show Victorian-era collection practices of the landowner.

The grounds are open for walking year-round, with conditions varying by season from snow-covered paths in winter to blooming undergrowth in summer. Visitors should bring properly equipped boots, weather-resistant clothing, and detailed maps, as trails in the mountains can be remote.

The reserve contains four of Scotland's five highest mountains, including Ben Macdui, and preserves rare remnants of ancient Caledonian pine forest. These forest patches are exceptionally rare in Scotland and show what the landscape looked like before human settlement.

Location: Aberdeenshire

Website: https://nts.org.uk/visit/places/mar-lodge-estate

GPS coordinates: 57.00000,-3.50000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:55