Location
Balchimmy Plantation lies near Cushnie in Aberdeenshire, approximately seven miles south of the town of Alford, with Aberdeen around a 40-minute drive to the east. The property
occupies a strategic position on fertile soils, benefiting from a climate well suited to commercial forestry. It also enjoys good proximity to the established timber processing market of the North East.
The grid reference of the main property entrance is NJ 514 118. The nearest postcode AB33 8LE and the What3Words code //liner.crescendo.book
Directions and Access
From Alford, head south on the A980 signed Muir of Fowlis. After three miles, turn right onto the public road signed Ley. Turn left and follow the road for approximately one
mile to enter Balchimmy Farm, as shown on the sale plan.
The plantation benefits from high-quality internal roads and is well served with access options for ongoing management and future harvesting operations. The public roads headingnorth, east and south from Balchimmy are all agreed routes for timber transport, providing established haulage access to market.
Description
Balchimmy Plantation is a well-established woodland of conifers and mixed broadleaves, planted on quality brown earth and fertile soils. The scheme is set to generate significant volumes of timber through regular thinnings and a final harvest.
Beyond its timber value, the plantation has generated 44,366 high-integrity Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), registered with the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) and valuable for carbon offsetting. The site is classified as 4.1 and 4.2 on the Land Capability for Agriculture scale and rises from approximately 250m to 380m above sea level.
Forest Certification
The woodland is dual certified through Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Carbon
The recently established woodland at Balchimmy represents a significant long-term carbon asset, with the planted trees projected to sequester 55,458 tonnes of COâ‚‚e over 100 years. This is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions associated with more than 4,800 people in the UK.
After applying the Woodland Carbon Code’s required 20% buffer, the project is expected to generate approximately 44,366 verified carbon units available for future use or sale. This assessment is considered conservative, as the Woodland Carbon Code methodology applies capped yield class assumptions and assumes a harvesting date earlier than would typically be expected under good forestry management. The woodland therefore has potential to deliver greater carbon sequestration over its lifetime should growth exceed these conservative assumptions.
The units may be used to offset eligible emissions from personal or corporate activities, supporting net zero commitments, or alternatively monetised through sale to organisations seeking high-quality UK-based carbon credits.
A future owner will have flexibility over the timing and approach to realising this value. The woodland could be managed through a contracted strategy, with Woodland Carbon Units sold at pre-agreed pricing, potentially providing long-term income security through inflation-linked arrangements. Alternatively, a blended approach could be adopted — for example, selling a proportion of credits under forward contracts while retaining the balance for future sale into the open market or for the owner’s own carbon offsetting requirements as demand and pricing evolve.
The UK Government’s legally binding Net Zero target aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels.
Forest Grants
The annual maintenance payments for Balchimmy are £75,181 until 2028 inclusive. Ie £150,361 total. The 2026 payment to be apportioned between Vendor and Purchaser.
Boundaries
The planted areas are mostly within deer proof fences. Neighbouring boundaries maintenance is to be shared with neighbouring land owners at 50:50 basis.
Wayleaves & Third-Party Rights
The property will be sold with the benefit of, and subject to, all existing rights and burdens with the Titles.
Contact Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group for more information.
