Royal day for Glenfeshie conservation hero
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Wildland’s conservation director Thomas MacDonell has been honoured by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal. His years of work on the regeneration of Badenoch’s Glenfeshie Estate were recognised yesterday by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
The Princess Royal visited the Fair Maid’s House in Perth for a special event hosted by the RSGS, of which she is vice-president, and the Heart of Arabia Expedition Team, of which she is Patron.
During her visit she conferred several awards on the society’s behalf, including an Honorary Fellowship to Mr MacDonell.
Other prominent guests included His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud.
Mr MacDonell was recognised for his efforts with Wildland at Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms, which was founded after the estate was purchased by Anders and Anne Holch Povlsen.
Wildland has a 200-year vision across all their estates for restoration and conservation, with Glenfeshie acting as the jewel in the crown.
Now, 20 years since Mr MacDonell arrived, the glen has been transformed from a monoculture of extreme overgrazing to a vibrantly regenerating woodland with around 1,500 hectares of natural regeneration, and approximately six million trees planted on the estate.
“Thomas’s hard work has resulted in such a positive change to Glenfeshie over such as short time, and has been instrumental in bringing this keystone area of the Highlands back to life,” commented the society’s chief executive Mike Robinson.
Mr MacDonell, who is shortly to move on from Wildland Ltd to new challenges, responded: “I am delighted to receive such a prestigious award from the RSGS.
“I accept this award on behalf of my Glenfeshie Estate team, both past and present, who carried out this pioneering project under difficult social circumstances. We are very proud to have delivered on our promises, although this action was difficult for some; the unmistakable legacy which will endure is a symbol of hope for future generations and an inspirational example for others to follow.”
