Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve

We want you to enjoy your visit to Mar Lodge Estate – your safety is our priority. This means we’ve had to make some changes so that we can keep everyone safe. Please read our Guide on what to expect before you set off as well as our Top 10 tips for visiting countryside places.

This property is part of the ‘We’re Good to Go’ scheme, which means we have carried out an official COVID-19 risk assessment to check we have everything in place to reopen safely.

There is a small information hut at the Linn of Dee, which our ranger team opens as often as they can.

Wild camping is permitted on Mar Lodge Estate. Campfires are not permitted near trees, in forests or on peaty ground – as Mar Lodge Estate is made up of a mixture of these habitats, campfires are not permitted anywhere on the estate.

We try to welcome drones where we can. However, to protect the people, wildlife and places in our care, we have some pre-flight checks for pilots:

• Always ask for permission in advance. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code does not permit the use of powered vehicles, including model aircraft and drones, without the landowner or manager’s permission (Section 2.14 of the Code). The Civil Aviation Authority sets out in Article 138 of the Air Navigation Order 2009: A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property.
• If you’d like to fly your drone, please contact the property directly. Pay attention to any advice about areas where you cannot fly. It’s possible that some properties or parts of properties might be ‘no drone zones’ at certain times of year, particularly in summer to prevent disturbance to breeding birds.
• Anyone who wants to fly a drone at one of our properties (even our countryside and coastal sites) needs to have public liability insurance in place. We also need to see a risk assessment and a flight plan.
• Make sure you’re up to speed with the Civil Aviation Authority’s drone safety advice and that you review this regularly.
• If your filming or photography is for commercial purposes, please contact the Trust’s dedicated Filming Manager to discuss – email filming@nts.org.uk
• Once on site, please follow any signs or guidance given from the team on the ground. And if you spot any rogue drones that seem to be upsetting wildlife or visitors, or damaging our places, please let a member of staff know.

For more information about planning your visit please see our frequently asked questions.