Retirement sales bring Welsh and Scottish farms to market

Two brothers are selling the Ceredigion dairy farm where they have produced milk for almost four decades, as they prepare to retire from farming.

Andrew and Dai Evans have “successfully and profitably” farmed Gwarllwyn, near Rhydlewis, Llandysul, for the past 38 years, says selling agent Savills, which has set a guide price of £2.8m for the 265-acre farm.

See also: Buyers’ choice of quality farms and types from Cheshire to Kent

Daniel Rees, head of residential and rural sales for the firm in South and West Wales, says the property is available as a going concern if required.

This is subject to contract and the purchase of the dairy animals and machinery in addition to the guide price.

“The current milk buyer has indicated an interest in the provision of a new supply contract to the successful purchaser of the farm,” he says.

The holding is currently contract farmed, supporting a herd of 300 spring calving cows.

That contract expires on 31 December 2025 but there may be an option to continue with this if it fits with the buyer’s plans.

Gwarllwyn, in a region renowned for its ability to grow grass, has a paddock grazing system serviced by cow tracks, electric fencing and a private borehole water supply.

There is also the option to buy a further 100 acres which the brothers own nearby, scaling up the farmed area to 365 acres.

The main grazing platform extends to about 176 acres and the cows are milked in a Waikato 24/48 parlour.

Modern buildings serving the dairy operation, including 300 cattle cubicles, are set around a concrete yard.

Further facilities include a 10,000-litre bulk milk tank, underground slurry storage, four silage clamps, a Collinson 29t cake bin and a 20,000-litre water tank for washing down.

Traditional farm buildings currently used for storage have potential for conversion, subject to planning consent.

As well as a four-bedroom farmhouse, there is an 18th century cottage which was modernised in the 1970s to create a holiday let.

Redford Farm © Savills

Arable offering in Scotland

In Kincardineshire, Savills is marketing an arable farm, also as a result of retirement.

Redford Farm near Laurencekirk has an extensive range of general-purpose buildings including 6,000t of refrigerated cold storage, washing facilities and a packing plant. 

The farm has historically been used for swede production but currently has a rotation incorporating potatoes and barley.

The Grade 3.1 and 3.2 land is made up of 258 acres of arable and eight acres of pasture.

While the acreage is not substantial in terms of arable production, the facilities, versatility and diversification opportunities will add to its appeal for a broad range of buyers, says Savills.

Selling agent Jamie Wedderspoon says it is likely to generate a lot of interest locally because it is exceptionally well equipped, has high quality land and is in a highly productive farming area.

This makes it well suited as a potential bolt-on to an existing farming business.

There is also a 330kW wind turbine which provides a dedicated supply of electricity for the farm, with the remainder exported to the grid. That contract is in place for a further 10 years from September 2025.

Accommodation is provided by a four-bedroom farmhouse and a five-bedroom cottage. There is also a large farm office with potential for conversion to residential, subject to consent.

Savills is seeking offers of more than £3.9m for Redford Farm.

Mixed estate in south-west Scotland

Cally Estate © Goldcrest Land & Forestry

The 2,780-acre Cally Estate in Galloway offers diverse farming, forestry, residential and sporting income and is for sale for the first time in centuries.

The estate currently holds 1,500 ewes and 73 cattle.

It has more than 100 acres of productive conifers, with the potential to expand this to 500 acres, according to selling agent Goldcrest Land & Forestry Group.

In addition, there is significant scope to extend its broad-leaf woodlands to about 870 acres.

The guide price is in excess of £7m and includes a seven-bedroom farmhouse with breathtaking views but in need of modernisation.

Adjoining outbuildings have scope for conversion and there is a second substantial farmhouse and two cottages.