| The family estates are located in two areas in the north of Scotland: the lowland Banffshire area around Cullen on the Moray Firth, and at Strathspey, in the upper reaches of the Spey valley. |
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Cullen Estate
This area benefits from the influence of the Gulf Stream and enjoys relatively moderate temperatures for its latitude. Land use is mainly divided between reasonable sized arable holdings and commercial forestry. Much of the farm output is in the form of quality malting barley for the local whisky distilleries.
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Land use (approximate areas)
| Acres | Hectares | |
| In-hand farming | 5,562 | 2,251 |
| Let farms | 15,572 | 6,302 |
| Commercial woodland | 7,628 | 3,087 |
| Other areas | 1,500 | 607 |
| -------- | -------- | |
| Totals | 30,262 | 12,247 |
| ===== | ===== |
Direct estate employees
| Full-time | Part-time | ||
Farming |
5 |
Estate |
9 |
| Forestry | 1 | ||
| Sporting | 2 | ||
| Estate | 9 | ||
Other information
Number of farm tenancies - 62
Number of residential tenancies - 61
Annual revenue turnover - £2,800,000
Annual property maintenance expenditure - £160,000
Strathspey Estate
The higher land of the upper Spey valley has smaller agricultural units with sheep and cattle the predominant mix. The Seafield family has grown timber for many generations and some parts of the estate are famous for including remnants of the old Caledonian Pine Forests that used to cover most of Scotland.
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The area is also renowned for quality salmon fishing, grouse shooting and deer stalking. A total of 14,220 acres (5,750 hectares) of estate land has been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) There are small sites at Loch Vaa and Moidach Mhor with the largest at Kinveachy. Because of Kinveachy's unique habitat, under the European Natura 2000 Directive, part of this area has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The area has also been classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) supporting 13% of the total world population of Scottish crossbill and 3% of the British population of capercaillie. Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is on the estate near Aviemore. The estate recognises the importance of these sites and incorporates their protection into its management policy and in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Deer Commission Scotland (DCS), has initiated a 10 year programme for Kinveachy set out in a comprehensive Deer Management Plan to deliver re-generation of the Caledonian Pine and other conservation objectives. This activity is receiving funding support from SNH and FCS.
Land use (approximate areas)
| Acres | Hectares | |
| Let farms | 12,529 | 5,070 |
| Commercial woodland | 12,313 | 4,983 |
| Sporting: Grouse moors Deer forest |
20,000 4,600 |
8,094 1,862 |
| Salmon
Fishing: 16 miles double bank 5.5 miles single bank |
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| Other areas | 4,408 | 1,784 |
| -------- | -------- | |
| Totals | 53,850 | 21,793 |
| ===== | ===== |
Direct estate employees
Full-time:
Sporting 6
Estate 3
Regular part-time/seasonal:
Sporting 2 (plus beaters as required)
Estate 8
Other information
Number of farm tenancies - 40
Number of residential tenants - 38
Annual revenue turnover - £1,435,000
Annual property maintenance expenditure - £158,000
Estate management
The management of the estates is centralised at the Cullen estate office with a small staff at Grantown-on-Spey. In addition to the direct employees, 15 management and supporting staff are employed. The wage and salary roll over both estates is in the order of £1,300,000 per annum.
Although total annual turnover is in the order of £4,435,000, there are high levels of skill and professionalism required in management as well as considerable annual maintenance expenditure and capital investment. Consequently the resulting net financial yield is low when compared with the value of the assets involved.