TIMBER FORTUNE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1935, Page 5

TIMBER FORTUNE

ESTATE OF YOUNG COI’NTES,. A charming young woman of 29, today owns more of Britain than any other one person, states the “isuuday Express”. >S,ho is the Countess of Weafiold, one of the five British countesses in their own right. Olio Countess owns more than 500,000 acres- —nearly 800 square miles —all in Scotland. One of her possessions is Castle Grant, in Inverness-shire, which is among the most famous castles in Scotland. Its walls are built of solid stone 15ft thick, made to withstand elan raids. Her home at Cullen House, Bail tiff shire, close to the River Spey, is one of the beauty spots of c.iie Highlands. But the countess will not come into full possession of her estates until she is 35.

Half a century ago the 1 amily debts were about £BOO,OOO. Then Lady Soaiield’s great-great-aunt Caroline, started one of the most ambitious timber, planting schemes Scotland has e\er Known. To-day the standing, timber on tlie estates is worth a fortune. Lady Caroline died in 1911. She had reduced the debt, from £890,000 to £400.000. Now the debt is only £70,000 and the Countess’ income is about £90,000 aycar. N.na Se,afield is intelligent and artistic. Bbe olavs the piano and cello, sings and paints. When she was presented at Court, she caused a sensation b v her likeness to the young Quer-n Victoria, and by her beautiful red-gold hair.

The Countess toured the world, visiting Burma and Africa. Rumour linked her name w.ih T’rinco Nicolas, younger son of t.'ie into King of Rumania. hut in 1930, she secretly married Mr Derek Studley-Herbert.