Introducing the Dougarie Estate, Isle of Arran

 

The Estate was acquired by the Gibbs family in 1972 and is a traditional family estate situated in the North West corner of the Isle of Arran. Primarily Dougarie is a family home that provides a range of activities of interest to visitors and locals on the Island, including golf, fishing, field sports along with a range of accommodation.

Dougarie Lodge, the main family home, can be seen from the road at Machrie and holds a garden open day every year. At this time the boat house, on the shore side of the road, is also open to serve teas.

Estate management is a complex world balancing the needs of the community, environment and business. There are many facets of running all the different activies, from wayleaves, to gamekeepers, holiday houses, woodlands, river and golf management. The list is fairly endless.

Mr & Mrs Gibbs live at the lodge all year round and the family regularly visit. Staff are employed help with the running of the Estate and these include a Gamekeeper, Assistant Gamekeeper (seasonal), Greenkeeper for the golf course, Apprentice Greenkeeper, Housekeeper, Maintenance man, and Office Administrator. There is also a number of other people involved including a gardener and the factor

This blog hopes to cover some of the different areas over the next year to give an insight into what really happens on a small traditional Scottish Estate