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A vast moorland valley stretching to distant mountains under a dramatic, partly sunny sky.

Lynbreck Croft

Woodland creation

Located in the heart of Scotland’s Cairngorms, Lynbreck Croft is undertaking transformative landscape restoration. The new owners have committed to reviving a degraded hillside through planting a native woodland, creating a vital wildlife corridor between two disconnected habitats.

Climate actionLife on land
About this project

Lynbreck Croft, a 150-acre site just outside Grantown on Spey, is dedicated to restoring Scotland’s natural landscapes through woodland creation and habitat recovery. The current owners, who purchased the croft in 2016, are reshaping this former sheep-grazing land into a beacon of sustainable, small-scale farming that balances environmental restoration with long-term economic and social value.

This project, the first in a wider woodland improvement programme, focuses on planting the croft’s western hillside. The mix includes native broadleaves along with a productive core of European Larch and Norway Spruce, which are expected to sequester 5501 tCO₂ over 60 years, according to our Woodland Carbon Code-validated calculations. Once established, the woodland will help bridge the gap between Abernethy Forest and Revack Estate, forming part of a growing wildlife corridor that benefits a wide range of species.

Ground preparation and planting were undertaken by the owners themselves, and public access is welcomed through gates and tracks across the site. Interpretation materials are planned to help share the story of the woodland and its role in landscape-scale restoration.

At its core, the project champions “habitat restoration and management” that supports biodiversity, community, and the croft’s long-term resilience. It has been made possible through a combination of grant support and generous external funding. A heartfelt thanks to all who helped bring this to life.

A hilly landscape under a bright blue sky with a visible moon. The foreground slope is covered in reddish-brown bracken and young trees protected by green guards, with bare trees and evergreen forests in the distance.
Logo for Woodland Carbon Code featuring a leaf icon.

Certified under the Woodland Carbon Code, the UK’s government-backed standard for carbon-funded woodland creation.

Aerial view of a rural landscape with a road and fields, featuring a circular inset showing a green pasture with sheep and hills.
Aerial view of a rural landscape with green fields, trees, and a road, with an inset showing cows in a field with distant mountains.

Species mix

0%

Scots Pine

0%

Birch

0%

Rowan

0%

*Other

*Native broadleaves

Project stats

23,680
trees
17.7
hectares
5,501
tCO₂
Quotation Open

Quite simply, we couldn't have afforded to undertake this project had it not been for the finance released through carbon sales and the willingness of Forest Carbon to help us in our situation, seeing the vision of what we were trying to achieve and supporting us.

Quotation Close
– Lynn, co-owner for Lynbreck Croft

Co-benefits

Biodiversity uplift

Biodiversity uplift

The woodland supports native flora and fauna, reconnects fragmented habitats, and contributes to the wider Caledonian pinewood network.

Wildlife corridors

Wildlife corridors

The project helps link Abernethy Forest and Revack Estate, creating a continuous habitat for wildlife to move, feed, and breed.

Soil health

Soil health

Replacing overgrazed hills with trees improves soil structure, reduces erosion, and increases organic matter, enhancing long-term fertility.

Engagement & education

Engagement & education

The croft is positioned as a learning hub for small-scale landowners and crofters, demonstrating practical habitat restoration and land management techniques.

Our involvement

This project is a powerful example of what’s possible when committed landowners are matched with the right support. With no access to borrowing and limited funds, the landowners handled all ground prep and planting themselves. Forest Carbon helped make it happen from a financial perspective.

Enabled early action

Step 1

Enabled early action

We provided full payment upfront, as soon as grant funding was confirmed. This gave the landowners the financial security to begin work immediately, without taking on debt or delay.

Supported certification

Step 2

Supported certification

We guided the landowners through Woodland Carbon Code validation, compiling the necessary documentation and ensuring the process was smooth, accurate, and efficient.

Found the right buyers

Step 3

Found the right buyers

Once credits were issued, we helped bring the project to market and facilitated its full sale to organisations aligned with UK-based nature recovery. We managed contracts and handled the transaction process from start to finish.

Ensured long-term success

Step 4

Ensured long-term success

We continue to support the project through funding ongoing verification under the Woodland Carbon Code, helping ensure its climate and biodiversity benefits are realised well into the future.

Get in touch

Project status

Registered

Aiming for verification, but planting and verification are yet to occur.

Validated

Validated

Planted. An initial quality check has been carried out by a third party.

Verified

Meets Code standards, verified by an accredited assessor. Ongoing checks ahead.

Funded by

Labour Party logo featuring a rose.
Labour Party logo featuring a rose.

Want to back a project like Lynbreck?

Lynbreck was made possible by businesses and land managers working together to restore UK nature. If your business is looking to make a similar impact, explore the projects it can support today.

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