THE Glenapp Estate Company has returned to the black after seeing improvements in the prices of beef and timber.

Annual accounts for the business, which includes the Earl of Inchcape and his son Viscount Fergus Glenapp among its directors, show turnover increased from £2.34 million to £2.56m.

That increase in revenue helped turn a pre-tax loss of more than £68,000 into a profit of £38,678 in the 12 months to March 31 this year.

Writing in the accounts, the directors said timber prices had stayed steady, which has helped to improve the profitability of the company. They added: "Glenapp Estate has continued to benefit from good beef prices, whilst working with lower lamb prices.

"We continue to review lamb and beef numbers with regard to profitability and in conjunction with assets on the estate dedicated to dairy.

"We have continued to increase the dairy herd and improve its genetics through careful breeding and artificial inseminations.

"The calving this year has gone well, with low fatalities for another year and good milk generation despite challenging conditions at times in the snow."

The accounts said Scottish Power Renewables remains "committed" to building a 14-turbine wind farm on Glenapp which could generate 32 megawatts of power.

The South Ayrshire estate, which covers around 5250 hectares, has been the home of the Inchcape family since 1917.