Kingairloch History
A brief recent history of Kingairloch Estate
We're working on the past history of Kingairloch!
The Yeoman and Larson family have had an association with Kingairloch since the early 1980s. The late John Yeoman was looking for a site for a coastal quarry and he looked at the neighbouring Glensanda, which was owned by the late Mrs Patricia Strutt who also owned Kingairloch. Kurt Larson was employed by John Yeoman to survey and locate the site for the future quarry. Kurt and Susan (nee Yeoman) were married in 1986 and have two daughters; Katrina and Heather.
Mrs Strutt sold Glensanda to John Yeoman, owner of Foster Yeoman Ltd and he developed the coastal quarry until his untimely death in 1987.
Mrs Strutt decided that after a Strutt association of 98 years she would like the family company of Foster Yeoman Ltd to purchase Kingairloch, which was agreed in 1989. Mrs Strutt retained the management of Kingairloch until her death in 2001.
In 1996 the Larson family moved to Home Farm and Susan Larson started an agreed process of restoring the properties on Kingairloch. This has been at a great financial cost backed by the family company, which was led by Mrs Angela Yeoman since 1987. The premise behind the restoration was to achieve a time when The Kingairloch Estate could stand-alone and be financially viable.
Foster Yeoman Ltd was sold in 2006 and Mrs Angela Yeoman and Mrs Susan Larson bought Kingairloch Estate and formed a Limited Liability Partnership to take Kingairloch forward into the future.
The Kingairloch Estate is approximately 14,000 acres of mainly hill and a small area of arable and forest. There are several small hill lochans and Loch Usige was considerably enlarged as the back water for a hydro-electric scheme. There are 18 residential properties and two listed derelict buildings.
Projects undertaken 2001-2007
· Allowed Scottish and Southern Energy to build a 3.5mgw Hydro Electric Station. This provides the estate with a regular source of rent income and a maintenance contract.
· Instigated and built a network of Footpaths/Cycle Tracks to encouage all people onto the hills.
· Promote the use and sale of wild Venison from the estate through our purpose built processing and deer larder unit. We now hold a Scottish Quality Wild Venison certificate.
· We have fully restored the following properties for use by guests:
o Kingairloch House
o Gardener’s Cottage
o The Old Post Office
o Pier Cottage
o Camus House
Partial restoration and redecoration
· Elastic Cottage
· South Corrie House
· Keepers Cottage
· The Old School
· Home Farm
· Kenmore House
· Rebuilt the private road from the B8043 which was impassable due to a fish farm lorry tipping over
· Re-tarmaced the road in front of Pier Cottage and Camas-na-Croise
· Re-roofed and restored the Ceilidh Hall for the community and guests for future generations to enjoy gatherings in remote areas
· Support the upkeep of The Church at Kingairloch
· Re-capped and pointed The Walled Garden using traditional methods
· Carried out habitat surveys in conjunction with Scottish Agricultural College of the hill and in-bye.
· Instigated a long term forestry plan which has been approved by The Forestry Commission
· Supported The Morvern Deer Management Group and conduct frequent deer counts and produce annual reports.
2008-
· Restoration of Seaview Cottage
· Extended Kingairloch House to have two further bedrooms and bathrooms, a games room and a drying room. Double glazing is now throughout the whole house and re-wallpapering carried out in some rooms
· Rennovated The Boathouse into a restaurant. With covers up to 24 guests and a balcony for when the weather is fine!
· Record levels of venison sales
· Fish hatchery work throughout the year
· Renovating Ghardail Cottage
· Renovating the barn at Glengalmadale into a bed and breakfast
