THE 47,000-acre Altnaharra estate in Sutherland, one of the largest

sporting estates in Scotland, has been split and sold in two lots. Lord

Kimball, who last year sought multi-million pound compensation for not

planting trees, is understood to have raised #5m in the sale, some #2m

less than the original asking price. The largest lot, 37,000 acres with

fishing on the river Naver, went to the Gordon Adams company of

Fraserburgh. The remainder of the estate was sold to the neighbouring

Syre estate which is owned by a syndicate headed by Lord Iliffe. The

sale ends the Kimball family's 60-year relationship with Altnaharra.

Lord Kimball, 64, a ''name'' at Lloyds, denied the sale had anything to

do with losses he sustained in the insurance crisis. ''I am selling

because of my age,'' he said.