The Macallan has announced that it has become the first Scottish distillery to achieve Wildlife Estates Scotland accreditation.

Wildlife Estates Scotland accreditation is regarded as the gold standard for integrated land management, recognising landholdings where biodiversity, conservation and best practice are embedded throughout day-to-day operations.

While the 485-acre The Macallan Estate is home to the distillery, warehouses and offices, substantial areas of the estate are carefully managed to support and enhance biodiversity. New approaches to managing the built environment have delivered tangible conservation gains, complementing a wider landscape of established native woodland, younger planting and hedgerows that provide vital wildlife corridors.

The restoration and realignment of the Burn of Ringorm, including the removal of historic mill structures, has reopened the waterway for fish migration and delivered measurable ecological benefits.

The River Spey, which flows through The Macallan Estate, supports a range of important wetland habitats and species. Environmental designations are in place to protect wild Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussels, otters and sea lamprey.

There are now 55 accredited landholdings in Scotland, covering more than 322,000 hectares – an area equivalent to over 450,000 football pitches. Commitment to Wildlife Estates Scotland continues to grow year on year, with an additional 26,500 hectares accredited since January 2025. Scotland now ranks second among the 19 participating countries for the total area of accredited land.

At the same time, a shift towards regenerative agriculture – including the use of cover crops, reduced cultivation, lower pesticide use, restored field boundaries and natural wildflower margins – is helping to rebuild soil health after years of intensive farming.

This estate-wide approach to working with nature is reflected in The Macallan’s five-year Ecosystem Restoration Plan, which is now being implemented by the estate team.

Commenting on the accreditation, Chas Jamieson, Estate Manager at The Macallan Estate, said: “Achieving this award reflects the knowledge, research and expertise within our small team, as well as the hard work and dedication they bring to delivering our sustainability objectives through The Macallan Estate’s dedicated Ecosystem Restoration Plan. This aligns with Edrington’s global sustainability targets.”

In achieving accreditation, The Macallan Estate recorded the second-highest score ever awarded to a first-time Wildlife Estates Scotland accreditee.