Holcim UK’s Glensanda Quarry awarded Biodiversity Benchmark Accreditation



 

Holcim UK’s Glensanda Estate and Granite Quarry - Europe's largest hard rock quarry - has been awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark accreditation, recognising its long-term commitment to nature-positive land management in one of Scotland’s most remote and environmentally significant areas.

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Set on the north shore of Loch Linnhe near Kingairloch, in a remote and environmentally under-recorded part of Scotland, the Glensanda Estate comprises a diverse range of habitats, from native woodland and open ground to bogs and coastal environments, and is capable of producing more than nine million tonnes of granite annually for customers across the UK, Europe and global markets.

The estate is one of 51 Biodiversity Benchmark accredited sites across the UK, with the certification confirming continual biodiversity enhancement and protection on their sites while supporting wider sustainability and climate commitments. At 2,630.00 hectares, the site is also the largest to hold the accreditation in the UK.

The award reflects the delivery of Glensanda’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), which sets clear priorities and targets for 2030. Developed using more than 15 years of ecological records and site surveys, the plan focuses on legally protected and priority species and habitats identified under the Scottish Biodiversity List, the Wildlife and Countryside Act, UK and Scottish Biodiversity Action Plans, the RSPB’s Species of Conservation Concern, and the IUCN Red List.

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A key focus at Glensanda has been the expansion of native broadleaved woodland, introduced in 2012 and 2024 to support a wider range of species such as the Pearl bordered Fritillary, the Narrow bordered Bee Hawk-moth, and the white spotted sable moth, while also contributing to carbon capture. This work is particularly important given the estate’s proximity to designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) woodland and areas of ancient woodland at Camus Chronaig.

Phil Jackson, Biodiversity and Restoration Advisor at Holcim UK, said: “Achieving the Biodiversity Benchmark at Glensanda demonstrates our ongoing commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.  Operating within a landscape of high ecological importance brings clear obligations, and this accreditation reflects the considered planning, effective land management and sustained effort underway to safeguard and improve biodiversity alongside our operations.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in habitat enhancement and woodland creation, helping to ensure this distinctive site continues to support a diverse range of species and habitats well into the future.”

Emma Price-Thomas, head of corporate partnerships at The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Achieving the Biodiversity Benchmark at Glensanda is a significant accomplishment, reflecting a long-term commitment to caring for nature in one of Scotland’s most remarkable landscapes.

“At a time of ongoing decline in biodiversity across the UK, the work across the estate demonstrates how thoughtful land management on large-scale industrial sites can still deliver real benefits for wildlife and help to protect and restore ecosystems for future generations.

“The Biodiversity Benchmark recognises organisations taking practical steps to protect and improve wildlife habitats. We’re delighted to see Glensanda has maintained this rigorous standard and is one of a growing number of accredited business sites across the UK.”

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The regeneration of the landscape at Glensanda will be further supported by recently approved funding for the planting of more than 50 hectares of additional native woodland. Alongside this, active land management measures have been introduced to address grazing pressure from both deer and sheep, helping to protect existing habitats and support future growth.

New native woodland planting and natural regeneration of the woodland is being supported by the careful management of deer numbers, reducing pressure on sensitive areas and newly planted woodland. Meanwhile, habitat impacts are being closely monitored to assess grazing levels and regeneration success so that the benefits for wildlife can be felt across the estate.

To find out more about Holcim UK’s Glensanda Quarry, click here: https://www.holcim.co.uk/about-us/glensanda-coastal-quarry. And to find out more about the Biodiversity Benchmark, click here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f33aa654c45a4887ab7353050fe39cd3.&…;