Tollie Red Kite Centre

A newly renovated farm building on Brahan Estate near Dingwall which will be used by the public to watch Red Kites feeding and flying was officially opened to the today by MSP Dave Thomson. Scottish Land & Estates member, Alex Matheson of Brahan welcomed Mr Thomson to the new facility at Tollie, developed in partnership with RSPB Scotland, local volunteers, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland LEADER programme. He said “Brahan is delighted to have the Tollie Red Kite centre on the estate, we are fully committed to a balanced and varied range of land uses at Brahan based on good quality environmental management, public access and productive farmland. The Red Kite centre will give local people, visitors and school groups an opportunity to see these beautiful birds at very close range carrying out their spectacular aerial displays.” RSPB Scotland’s George Campbell said “ Red Kites were once a regular feature of this landscape but predation by egg hunters in particular in the 19^th century wiped them out. We are very pleased that our reintroduction programme in the Black Isle has been so successful.” He went on to pay tribute to all those who had contributed to the project’s success. Dave Thomson MSP was delighted to be able to open the new facility, highlighting the value of co-operation between privately owned Brahan Estate, RSPB Scotland and local volunteers