Austrian Count Stanislaus Czernin-Kinsky formed Czernin-Kinsky Scottish Company Limited in 1991 with the purchase of Manquhill. Since then a steady growth has seen the land holding increase to over 4500 hectares (3,200 ha commercial forestry) all located within Dumfries and Galloway.

see www.cksl.co.uk 

Their parent company Czernin-Kinsky Forstgut Rosenhof is a family business, located north of Freistadt in the district of Upper Austria.

Since 2009, all forest and estate management has been done in house. Today Czernin-Kinsky Scottish Company Limited employs five staff members based at Cornharrow Estate, between St John’s Town of Dalry and Carsphairn. The principle of the company is to sustainably manage the forests on a primarily commercial bases with good silviculture practices in mind. The company is committed to supporting the local economy through both direct and indirect long term employment.

Topics -

• Cornharrow – some mixed conifer thinnings / small clearfells and a designated LISS area which also incorporates some small sub 1ha clearfells to break up age class. Restocked with alternative conifers p2016.
• Halfmark- 400 ha forest. 85 ha felled to ease windflow to windfarm – receiving rent for loss of income. Look at brash recovery.
• Active harvesting site at Magree being worked by directly owned & operated harvesting machinery.
• New woodland creation site – discuss ground prep.

Meet 10.00 at the estate office at Carnharrow, St John's Town of Dalry, DG7 3UG / OS: NX 667 928

Ledmore and Migdale Woods (host: Woodland Trust – Ross Watson). Native woodland restoration. Mixed NR: Birch/SP/ Quercis P. woodlands overlooking the Dornoch Firth. RV at Car Park OS: NH 669 907.

Annual Study Tour hosted by NE Region and based in Tomintoul. Main sponsor: James Jones & Sons Limited.

Sun 12

• Meet up, introduction and drinks reception.

Mon 13

• Morning: visit Glenlivet (Crown Estate) – commercial forestry restructuring and how it fits with whole estate management
• Afternoon: visit Inchrory Estate (traditional highland estate). Look at role of woodlands in management of estate / river management options to improve salmon fishing.
• Evening: optional whisky tasting in Tomintoul followed by RSFS Annual Dinner in the Clockhouse Restaurant– guest speaker: David Leslie (Director of James Jones & Sons Limited)

Tues 14

• Morning: visit award winning MacAllan distillery, then go to Gordon Castle to discuss managing fruit trees in the walled garden.
• Afternoon: visit tree nursery at Christie’s of Fochabers
• Evening: some traditional entertainment before a meal in the Richmond Arms.

Wed 15

• Seafield Estates – look at commercial management of woodland in a low rainfall area on low coastal ground around the Spey.

Annual RSFS clay pigeon competition at Forrest Estate Experiences, St John’s Town of Dalry, DG7 3XS