Located on land in Glen Fyne and around the head of Loch Fyne, Ardkinglas Estate covers around 4800 hectares, mostly of hill ground. It is home to around 1,000 sheep, 20 cattle, many deer and other wild animals, sealife and birds. It also provides accommodation for residential tenants and commercial businesses.
From 1972 to 2002 the Estate was run by Johnny Noble who attracted new businesses to the area, as well as starting Loch Fyne Oysters, providing both new employment for the community and new commercial tenants for the Estate. Since 2002 his nephew, David Sumsion, has continued this development process. Future plans include new housing, self-catering holiday accommodation, sites for new commercial businesses, development of the Tree Shop & Cafe, an increasing number of events at Ardkinglas House, major renovation of many buildings and also repairs to the exterior fabric of Ardkinglas House. A windfarm site has been developed in conjunction with Argyll Estates and nine turbines were commissioned in 2009.
Forestry has always played an important role in the Estate and the commercial woodlands to the south of the house continue to be managed for timber production as well as for their landscape qualities. In addition there are old oak woods on the west side of Loch Fyne, an ancient hazel wood in Glen Fyne and, more recently, a number of natural regeneration schemes and newly planted areas of native species have been established.
The Estate supports local community initiatives, including the Community run Childcare Centre based at the Fyne Den at the head of Loch Fyne. It has also partnered with community organisation Here We Are to develop a hydro scheme in Glen Fyne.
Ardkinglas is a special place for the many residents, visitors and employees who have lived and worked here over the years. The responsibility for maintaining, improving and developing the land and property is taken seriousy and positively by the owners and their employees and the many contractors and individuals who help with the ongoing process.
