Reflecting on 2024!

At the end of December, we took time to look back and reflect on the past 12 months and document all the fantastic moments we experienced here at Barwhillanty Estate.

Lambing

Farming is a huge part of the daily business at Barwhillanty, Battling the wild Scottish weather, our farm manager Tim continued to secure strong pricing for our lamb and venison, regularly finding us at the top of the market. We hope you agree if you have been for a walk around Barwhillanty that our flock and herd are looking extremely good; a true testament to his passion, continued graft and attention to detail. 

We are also very proud to now be collaborating with Thwaites, our family hospitality business started in 1807, providing them with prime lamb and venison direct from the estate. Its exciting to see, and taste, the incredible dishes the chefs have been conjuring with this first class produce.

Installation of an In-House Deer Larder

2024 saw the instalment of our new Deer Larder, enabling us to process wild deer on site. As this develops, we will begin selling this produce locally in addition to our seasonal veg boxes; so do keep your eyes peeled in 2025 for this!

2024 Events

Together with Blackbird Opera, we held our first, hopefully of many more successful Operas here at Barwhillanty Estate in June, with our Garden Picnic Prom. Blessed with sunshine, we loved bringing our community together to experience musical wonder in the beauty of the Walled Garden. We were so delighted with the turnout and enthusiasm for this event.

On 21st December, we finished off the year on a festive note, with our sell-out Christmas Opera, also in collaboration with Blackbird Opera! Hosted at Barwhillanty House, there was a wonderful selection of classical opera pieces, favourite Christmas carols and even some sing-alongs! With mulled wine, mince pies and even a special Barwhillanty Christmas Cocktail, this was a splendid way to wrap up the year!

Walled Garden Pavilion Coming In 2025

We are picking up momentum for the launch of our bespoke events venue in the Walled Garden. Preparing for opening from June 2025, we aspire to create a state of the art space, designed with a difference; for celebrations and experiences, connecting to nature and to our community. From workshops to weddings, supper clubs to shows, retreats to exec away days, we are excited about bringing entertainment, education and experiences to another level, while delivering on detail and sustainability. 

Stay tuned in to our journey through social media, or keep an eye on our newsletter for more updates. For any event enquiries for 2025 and beyond, don’t hesitate to get in touch at: enquiries@barwhillantyestate.co.uk

Our Team at Barwhillanty

2024 was a significant year for our team at Barwhillanty, with our longstanding friends, and colleagues, Sheena and Donald Knox taking the step to retire. Having dedicated so much of their lives to their work at Barwhillanty, we can undoubtedly say they are wholeheartedly family rather than employees, and always will be such an important part of our story here and we thank them for their work over the years. 

We also welcomed a new Hospitality and Events Manager, Emily, to our team. She is heading up the events in our upcoming Walled Garden Pavilion as well as overseeing our busy holiday cottages.

Yoga Classes With Maria Yerburgh

With two classes a week; aerial and floor-based flow, Maria is always delighted to bring all the benefits of yoga to her yogis; from physical to mental wellbeing, from strength to flexibility training. Her weekly classes welcomed many locals plus holiday makers throughout the 2024. 

2025 Weekly Classes

Monday: Aerial Yoga, 7:30pm-8:15pm

Thursday: Yin Yang Yoga, 7:30pm-8:15pm

Benefitting Nature And Biodiversity 

Sustainability is all about the delicate balance of preserving economic productivity whilst nurturing the beautiful environment we are blessed to live in. 2024 saw us lay yet more hedges, plant more wild bird seed mixes and see the true value of herbal lays to our soils and livestock. 

We are pleased that our biodiversity audit which took place earlier in the year by an independent party, produced a glowing report; we will continue to build on these positive notes.

Our carbon audit is coming up for renewal in 2025, and we look forward to seeing how we have improved in the last 5 years and consider how to curb our carbon foot print further.

Shooting Season And Gun Dog Trials

We were happy to welcome back many returning parties during the 24/25 shooting season from previous years. We are delighted that they have already booked again for next year! Big thanks to our Gamekeeper, David, who has made this run so smoothly and ensured great days out for all guests

We also hosted a variety of gun dog training days, as well as several field trials – both Novice and Open level. A particular highlight had to be having one of the King’s dogs to visit the estate for a trial.

Holiday Cottages 

2024 was another busy year at the holiday cottages. We have enjoyed welcoming people from far and wide for their holidays on Barwhillanty Estate, and hope they found peace and restoration while staying with us. We look forward to growing our offerings of activities available for people staying on the estate alongside the  expansion of existing holiday accommodation available, through the build of the Walled Garden Pavilion.

Christmas Trees Spreading Cheer Around The UK

Barwhillanty Christmas were stationed throughout the UK with 27 of our wonderfully tall Sitka Spruce Trees spreading Christmas cheer in December. Thinned from a pioneering agroforestry plantation planted 30 years ago, they took pride of place in several towns and cities across the UK! 

And that’s a wrap! We want to thank each and every person who contributed to our year, be it at events, buying produce, attending yoga classes or shoots, or visiting holiday cottages, you have all made 2024 a fantastic year.

2025 already promises to be a big year for Barwhillanty, so do keep an eye out, and we hope to see you here soon.