The company has been set up with a dual mission of nature restoration and providing a mechanism for firms to reach the goal of net zero emissions without curbing their own pollution.
Ex-Tesco Bank chief executive Mr Higgins served as the chair of the Scottish Government’s post-Covid Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, though he switched support to Labour before the last General Election, announcing his support for Sir Keir Starmer with an article in The Herald.
Oxygen Conservation’s purchase of the Dorback Estate, near Abernethy at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains, was revealed last week by law firm Burges Salmon, who facilitated the sale.
Nestled within the Cairngorms National Park and spanning 15,000 acres of moorland, forest, and mountainous terrain, Dorback is the third land purchase by Oxygen Conservation in Scotland, following deals to buy the 12,000 acre Invergeldie estate in Perthshire and more than 500 acres in an area known as ‘Dog bank’ on the Firth of Tay.
Speaking to The Herald, the firm said that it was actively developing “high-integrity carbon credit projects on its Scottish estates.”
A spokesperson said: “The Blackburn & Hartsgarth estate alone is projected to generate 512,000 carbon credits through peatland restoration and native woodland creation.
“These credits are not an afterthought—they are a core part of Oxygen Conservation’s mission to scale conservation and finance landscape-scale restoration.”
“Everything is validated under the UK Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code, ensuring high-quality, high-integrity credits.”
The added: “But let’s be clear—this isn’t just about carbon. Our primary objective is to enhance biodiversity, restore natural ecosystems, and contribute to Scotland’s net-zero targets. Carbon credits are part of the financial model, but the real goal is to make conservation economically viable at scale.”
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The philosophy behind carbon credits is simple – companies are able to offset Greenhouse gas emissions by investing in carbon-absorbing ventures such as forest planting and peat bog restoration.
While this does not stop climate change-affecting gases from entering the atmosphere, the balance stays the same because an equal amount is absorbed by green activities.
Oxygen Conservation is one of several companies hoping to become a key player in this emerging market, and have invested heavily in land they intend to develop.
The spokesperson said that the company’s plans for the estate have only just begun.
They said: “This isn’t a haphazard approach. OC is at the very early stage of a 12-18-month (sometimes longer) investigation phase—a structured, data-driven process that evaluates everything from ecological surveys to community engagement.
“This phase allows us to engage with local stakeholders, conduct environmental assessments and explore the best conservation objectives for the estate The outcome of this process will shape the estate’s long-term vision.
As well as restoring nature on the land it has purchased, Oxygen Conservation has banned activities such as fox and grouse shooting.
The company says it is committed to maintaining a strong local presence on the estates it has purchased, retaining the existing estate team and including the estate manager as key points of contact for communities.
The spokesperson said: “Additionally, Oxygen Conservation is investing in rural housing, ecotourism, and employment opportunities across the portfolio to ensure long-term positive engagement with local communities, an approach they aim to implement at Dorback Estate.
“Oxygen Conservation views landownership as a long-term responsibility, with a commitment to environmental restoration, community development, and sustainable land use. Far from being absent, they are deeply engaged in the stewardship of its estates, working closely with stakeholders to deliver lasting benefits for people and nature.”
