The MacRobert Trust

What The MacRobert Trust does

The MacRobert Trust is a Scottish registered charity (SC031346) headquartered in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, operating from a 7,200-acre diversified estate in the Howe O' Cromar on Royal Deeside, at the eastern edge of Cairngorms National Park. The Trust uses income generated from its financial investments and estate activities — including the Douneside House country house hotel (13 rooms, two restaurants, health club, weddings and events), approximately 5,000 acres of farmland across nine agricultural holdings, ~1,800 acres of commercial forestry, ~60 residential properties, and a portfolio of commercial lettings (Alastrean House, Tower Workshops, Tarland Tearooms) — to fund charitable grants, awards, training programmes and community projects for UK-registered charities, military families, and young people in horticulture, hospitality, engineering and aviation. Underlying estate infrastructure includes a 400kW wood-chip biomass district heating system and a 250kW rooftop solar PV array, which together supply approximately 13% of estate heat and 55% of estate power from on-site renewables, plus a 17-acre RHS-accredited walled and formal garden at Douneside House.

The Trust's charitable activity is structured around three pillars — supporting the Armed Forces, championing engineering and aviation training, and developing young people — and includes endowed awards such as the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award (since 1969, the UK's longest-running engineering innovation prize, with a £50,000 prize purse), the Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal, Air League Flying Scholarships, the MacRobert Prize at RAF College Cranwell, the Lady MacRobert Trophy for the North East Scotland Air Training Corps, the MacRobert Trust Emerging Talent Award, and a Nuffield Scottish Farming Scholarship. The Trust also operates apprenticeship programmes in horticulture (year-long, RHS-accredited, with 100% job placement since 2010) and hospitality (18-month programme based at Douneside House), and funds the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre at Dumfries House in partnership with The Prince's Foundation, which hosts around 1,800 participants per year.

The Trust's go-to-market is multi-channel and direct: grant applications are received via the Trust's own website; Douneside House takes direct guest and event bookings via its own website and online travel agents; apprentices are recruited through partner schools, colleges and the Dumfries House centre; military families are referred via Give Us Time and the RAF Benevolent Fund; and award nominations are channelled through long-standing partners including the Royal Academy of Engineering, Primary Engineer and The Air League. Over £10 million has been awarded in charitable grants over the past 10 years, and the Trust has launched a "10 Goals for 10 Years" strategy (October 2025) committing £13 million of partnership grant funding over the next decade across new MacRobert Military, Small but Mighty, Big Impact and Village for the Future funds. The Trust is governed by a board chaired by Commodore Charles Stevenson CBE, RN, with Gillian Currie serving as Chief Executive Officer, and operates with 11–50 employees.

Name

The MacRobert Trust

Legal name

The MacRobert Trust

Website

https://themacroberttrust.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The MacRobert Trust is a Scottish registered charity operating a 7,200-acre Aberdeenshire estate, funding charitable grants, awards and apprenticeships for UK charities, military families, and young people in horticulture, hospitality, engineering and aviation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation and Rural Estate

NAICS

Trusts, Estates, and Agency Accounts (52592), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525), Other Financial Vehicles (525990)

SIC

Investors, Nec (6799)

akta.pro primary industry

Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Estate Planning, Trust Structuring & Governance (FSAAADAF), Charitable Giving & Philanthropic Trust Advisory (FSAEAKAH)

Keywords

• Charitable grant funding
• Country house hospitality
• Estate management services
• Apprenticeship training programmes
• Engineering awards programme

Headquarters

HQ city

Tarland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment income: Income generated from the Trust's underlying investment portfolio, providing the primary source of unrestricted charitable funding.
2. Farming operations: Rental and trading income from 9 main agricultural holdings covering c.5,000 acres of farmland on the estate.
3. Forestry operations: Income from c.1,800 acres of commercial forestry on the estate, including timber sales and sustainable woodland management.
4. Hotel and hospitality (Douneside House): Recurring revenue from 13 guest rooms, restaurant, weddings, private events and corporate bookings at Douneside House country house hotel.
5. Commercial property lettings: Rental income from commercial units on the estate such as Tower Workshops and the former Tarland Post Office/27 The Square premises.
6. Residential property lettings: Rental income from c.60 estate houses and from Alastrean House, leased to a care home operator.
7. Equine and grazing lettings: Income from grazing licences charged at £21 per horse per week, plus nominal rent from Tarland Golf Club for the 9-hole course.
8. Legacy gifts and donations: One-off and occasional income from bequests and donor gifts (e.g., the Limb family legacy contributing c.£1m) which augment the grant-making funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The MacRobert Trust is a Scottish registered charity that uses income from its financial investments and 7,200-acre Aberdeenshire estate to fund charitable grants, structured apprenticeships and training, awards and scholarships, and community projects. Its trading arm operates Douneside House, an award-winning 13-bedroom country house hotel with restaurant, weddings, health club and conference facilities, all profits of which are gifted back to the Trust.

Product overview

The MacRobert Trust operates as an integrated charitable platform with a diversified portfolio of programmes and assets, all anchored to its three core Pillars (supporting the Armed Forces, advocating training/education/innovation, and fostering a thriving estate and local community). The central platform is The MacRobert Trust Estate — a 7,200-acre holding in the Howe O' Cromar that generates income to fund all charitable activity. Layered on top of this estate platform are several distinct product/service modules: (1) the Charitable Grants Programme (with new Small but Mighty, Big Impact, MacRobert Military, and Village for the Future funds launching late 2026 under the 10 Goals for 10 Years strategy); (2) trading subsidiary Douneside House (country house hotel & health club), complemented by the Douneside Military Club membership; (3) two structured training programmes — the Hospitality Apprenticeship Scheme (18 months, based at Douneside) and the Horticultural Training Scheme (year-long, RHS-accredited, based at Douneside House Garden); (4) a portfolio of endowed and sponsored Awards, Prizes and Scholarships (including the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal, Air League Flying Scholarships, the MacRobert Prize at RAF Cranwell, the Lady MacRobert Trophy, the Emerging Talent Award, and the Nuffield Scottish Farming Scholarship); (5) estate service offerings — Horse Grazing Fields / DIY Grass Livery, Residential Properties for Lease, and the Commercial Property Portfolio (Alastrean House, 27 The Square/Tarland Tearooms, Tower Workshops, and proposed Cromar Business Units); and (6) Community Projects in Tarland and Cromar. All profits from the trading subsidiary and estate activities are gifted back into the Trust's charitable work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Douneside House: Country house hotel and health club owned and operated as a trading subsidiary of The MacRobert Trust, set within 17 acres of gardens on Royal Deeside; all profits are gifted back to the Trust.
• Douneside Military Club

Products and services

• Charitable Grants Programme The MacRobert Trust's grant-making activity, using income from financial investments and estate activities to fund registered charities across the UK. Over £10m has been awarded in charitable grants over the past 10 years. New funds under the 10 Goals for 10 Years strategy include the MacRobert Military Programme (£2m over 10 years), the Small but Mighty and Big Impact funds (combined £5m of partnership grant funding), and the Village for the Future Fund (£1m for Tarland area).
• Douneside House (Country House Hotel & Health Club) Country house hotel set in 17 acres of gardens with 13 guest rooms, dog-friendly cottages and apartments, two award-winning restaurants, an on-site health club (gym, swimming pool, spa, steam room), tennis court, putting green and croquet. Host venue for weddings, private dining and corporate events. All profits are gifted back to the Trust.
• Douneside Military Club Membership programme established in 2020 offering significant discounts at Douneside House throughout the year to serving and retired members of the armed forces, along with other membership benefits. Includes an annual charity dinner in November hosted by The MacRobert Trust.
• Hospitality Apprenticeship Scheme An 18-month apprenticeship programme delivered in partnership with Hospitality Apprenticeship North East, based at Douneside House. Offers hands-on experience across food and beverage, housekeeping, reception and kitchen, with masterclasses, events, and a workplace mentor. Open to applicants under 25, with apprentices earning the national living wage plus a share of gratuities.
• Horticultural Training Scheme A year-long (with optional second year) full-time, hands-on horticultural training programme based primarily at Douneside House Garden (RHS Partner Garden and RHS Qualifications Approved Centre). Accepts up to six trainees per year, paid National Minimum Wage with accommodation. Includes training towards the RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture, PA1/PA6 pesticide application, and CS30 chainsaw operation. 100% job placement success since 2010.
• Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award The UK's longest-running and most prestigious national prize for engineering innovation, endowed by The MacRobert Trust since 1969 and presented by the Royal Academy of Engineering with the Worshipful Company of Engineers. Each member of the winning team receives a gold medal, publicity, a £50,000 prize and an exclusive weekend at Douneside House.
• Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal Award recognising the innovative spirit and engineering potential of school pupils aged 3-19, celebrating prototypes inspired by the question 'If you were an engineer, what would you do?'. A collaboration between The MacRobert Trust, Primary Engineer, and WEIR Group.
• MacRobert Trust Flying Scholarships and Bursaries (The Air League) An endowment from The MacRobert Trust to The Air League providing an annual flying scholarship or bursary to an individual from Scotland, taking the form of a week's residential flying training at Tayside Aviation Flying Training, Dundee.
• The MacRobert Prize (RAF College Cranwell) Awarded annually since 2003 to the graduating officer at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, judged by peers to have made the greatest contribution to each graduating class. On average four prizes are awarded each year; winners receive a miniature silver quaich with their name engraved.
• The Lady MacRobert Trophy Awarded annually to the North East Scotland Air Training Corps squadron judged to have reached the best overall standard. The winning squadron's parade day is held in the grounds at Douneside House in June, with the Ballater and District Pipe Band providing music.
• MacRobert Trust Emerging Talent Award Created in 2023 in conjunction with Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards. Open to all young people aged 16-25 working full time in the hospitality or tourism sector in the North East of Scotland. The winner receives a bespoke scholarship courtesy of HIT Scotland.
• MacRobert Trust Nuffield Scottish Farming Scholarship Award A Nuffield scholarship targeted at potential scholars in Scotland who are farmers or involved in agriculture, horticulture or the wider food chain. Funded by a recurring donation from The MacRobert Trust commencing in 2009, providing travel and subsistence for eight weeks. Administered by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.
• Horse Grazing Fields / DIY Grass Livery (Tarland) Two private horse grazing fields available to rent on the edge of Tarland, suitable for up to two horses per field. Field 1 is 3.95 acres and Field 2 is 3.089 acres, priced at £21 per horse per week, with access to off-road hacking and shared parking off the B9119.
• Residential Properties for Lease c.59 houses across the estate, including farmhouses (let with farms), staff residences, and let houses on Short Assured and Private Residential Tenancies, located both within Tarland village and around the outskirts in the Howe O' Cromar.
• Commercial Property Portfolio A diverse selection of commercial properties across the estate, including Alastrean House (leased to a care home operator), 27 The Square (Tarland Tearooms café), Tower Workshops (antiques and furnishings), and the proposed Cromar Business Units (live & work units, pending planning permission).
• Community Projects (Tarland & Cromar) Community-facing projects supported through monetary funding, gifting/leasing of land, and provision of resources. Includes the Tarland Golf Club (leased at £10/year), Tarland Trails (mountain bike tracks), the Community Vegetable Garden, the Old Walled Garden at Oldtown, and MacRobert Memorial Hall.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £10 million in grants distributed in a 10-year period
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Royal Academy of EngineeringflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Royal Academy of Engineering administers the UK's premier engineering innovation prize, the MacRobert Award, which has been endowed by the MacRobert Trust since 1969. The partnership underwrites the Trust's flagship national engineering brand and includes a £50,000 annual prize plus the MacRobert Award Trophy. The relationship is long-running, mutual and central to the Trust's engineering pillar.
• Primary EngineercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary Engineer runs the MacRobert Medal for engineering achievement within its schools programme. The Trust co-sponsors the medal alongside WEIR Group, extending its engineering pillar into primary and secondary education.
• The Air LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Air League administers the MacRobert Flying Scholarships on behalf of the Trust, providing financial support for young people training for a Private Pilot Licence.
• Nuffield Farming Scholarships TrustsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Trust provides administrative support to the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, contributing to the operation of its farming scholarship programme.
• Aberdeen City & Shire Thistle AwardssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Trust is a sponsor of the Aberdeen City & Shire Thistle Awards programme, which recognised Douneside House with the Best Hotel Experience award in 2022.
• HIT ScotlandsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Trust funds a bespoke HIT Scotland scholarship for an apprentice in the hospitality sector, channeling training opportunities through HIT Scotland's hospitality scholarship network.
• Hospitality Apprenticeship North East (HANE)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-ordinates and delivers hospitality apprenticeship opportunities in North-East Scotland, including placements tied to Douneside House.
• James Hutton InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with the James Hutton Institute covering riparian zone management and other land-use research on the Trust estate.
• Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering public access, path and habitat improvements on the Trust estate in Aberdeenshire.
• The Prince's FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts and co-delivers the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre at Dumfries House, East Ayrshire, providing the physical site and curatorial support for rural-skills training.
• Give Us TimecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary families charity partner. The Trust hosts c.20 military families per year for respite breaks at Douneside House via Give Us Time's referral pipeline.
• RAF Benevolent FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner receiving grant funding (e.g., £10,000) from the MacRobert Military Programme and supporting military family respite at Douneside House.
• Cromar Community CouncilsupportingOthersLocal government partner distributing community grants and supporting local initiatives in the Cromar area.
• Tarland Development GroupsupportingOthersLocal community development partner receiving Trust grants and supporting amenity projects in Tarland.
• Tarland Welfare TrustsupportingOthersLocal welfare partner in Tarland, supported by Trust grants to deliver community welfare services.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Large UK charitable trust funding social-policy research and community programmes, with associated housing and care operations. Comparable as a charitable trust combining grant-making with directly operated housing/property activities similar to MacRobert's estate and 50-affordable-homes goal.
• Henry Smith Charity: Independent UK grant-making charity supporting education, health and community causes. Comparable to MacRobert as a UK-registered grant-making charity distributing capital returns to charitable causes across multiple sectors.
• Leverhulme Trust: UK charitable trust funding research, scholarships and fellowships. Comparable as a long-standing charitable trust distributing endowed income across academic, aviation (Leverhulme Memorial Lectures) and rural research areas that intersect with MacRobert's engineering, aviation and farming awards.
• Garfield Weston Foundation: Major UK grant-making foundation awarding c.£100m annually to registered charities across education, community and the arts. Comparable as a UK-wide charitable grant-maker supporting registered charities, with a similar operating model of distributing portfolio-derived income.
• Wellcome Trust: One of the UK's largest charitable foundations, distributing hundreds of millions of pounds annually in research and charitable grants. Directly comparable to The MacRobert Trust as an endowed grant-making charity using investment portfolio returns to fund a wide grant programme.
• Dulverton Trust: UK grant-making trust funding youth, conservation, education and welfare causes. Comparable as a UK-wide grant-maker distributing investment-portfolio-derived income, with a similar charity-grant portfolio structure to MacRobert's.
• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation: Independent UK grant-making foundation funding charities across social change, environment, culture and education. Comparable in scale and operating model to MacRobert's £10m/10-year grant programme and three-pillar structure.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Scotland: Scotland's largest conservation charity, owning and managing c.100 historic properties and c.200,000 acres of land. Comparable to MacRobert as a large Scottish charitable land steward combining heritage property, gardens, holiday hospitality and education programming on a far larger scale.
• The Crown Estate: UK sovereign-wealth-style estate manager with a diversified rural, urban and marine property portfolio. Comparable to MacRobert at the asset-class level as a large diversified real-asset portfolio generating income, though operating on a vastly larger scale and with a commercial rather than charitable mandate.

Others

• The Prince's Foundation: UK charity delivering training in traditional crafts, rural skills and heritage. Listed as a peer because it is the Trust's host and co-delivery partner for the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre at Dumfries House, providing directly comparable rural-skills training infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The MacRobert Trust