Achnahatnich, a Unique Carbon Opportunity

CarbonStore is pleased to present an exciting new and diverse carbon opportunity and regeneration project, situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.

This ambitious woodland carbon opportunity will use wholly natural and organic processes to enhance and expand Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Forest.

The land is owned by the Rothiemurchus Estate, which has ring-fenced 170 hectares for woodland creation which will be regulated by the Woodland Carbon Code.

The Woodland Carbon Code is the carbon standard which will regulate and authorise the woodland’s carbon credits. This provides any buyers with total confidence in the integrity of the carbon credits.

The woodland is estimated to capture 17,486 tonnes of carbon over the next 100 years and Rothiemurchus is looking to sell 100% of the issued carbon credits.

The project is currently being audited by the Soil Association and is due to be validated by the Woodland Carbon Code in April 2023.

David McCulloch, Head of CarbonStore said:

“We are delighted to partner with the Rothiemurchus Estate to bring such an impressive project to the market. Our mission is to help businesses harness the ability of trees to capture the balance of unavoidably released carbon as part of their net zero strategy.

“This outstanding project fully realises that ambition. However, it goes further; It enables CarbonStore to simultaneously help combat the UK’s equally serious biodiversity crisis”

The Woodland

The young woodland, lying within the North Rothiemurchus Pinewoods Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the Cairngorms Special Area of Conservation, is located within a sensitive and precious ancient habitat.

Until recently, the land had been used to graze sheep and cattle. This has starved any tree seedlings of the chance to grow naturally in their indigenous region. Livestock have now been removed from the land enabling young Scots pine, birch and juniper to establish themselves naturally. 

Hosting many rare and endangered birds and mammals, the location significantly enhances the site’s ecology, and with no ploughing or artificial cultivation involved, there will be no soil disturbance. This avoids excess CO₂e emissions and means the project will be carbon positive from the outset.

The Rothiemurchus Estate is also keen to implement environmental improvements across their in-hand farm and will be funding these efforts with proceeds from the carbon credit sales.

The proceeds will also be used to minimise Rothiemurchus Estate’s environmental footprint and upgrade their facilities for visitors.

The Cairngorms National Park attracts over 2 million visitors per year and the Rothiemurchus Estate, with a thriving tourist business, actively encourages access across its lochs and glens.

The woodland at Achnahtnich will be appreciated by millions of people in the coming years and in buying carbon credits companies will also be supporting the expansion of one of Scotland’s ecological heirlooms.

The Carbon Opportunity

Rothiemurchus is looking for offers above £25 per PIU and would particularly welcome companies who are keen to make the most of their accommodation facilities by hosting on-site corporate events to strengthen any partnership. This provides an exciting opportunity for a company to provide enhanced benefits for staff and clients alike.

CarbonStore is working together with Rothiemurchus Estate to promote the woodland carbon credits to potential buyers and to ensure the sale of the carbon credits is a fair, smooth and efficient process for both parties. More information and the brochure can be found on CarbonStore’s Carbon Opportunities page.

For more information on this unique carbon opportunity, or to discuss this opportunity further, contact David McCulloch, Head of CarbonStore: 07500 950832, david.mcculloch@carbonstoreuk.com.

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