Borders farm has ‘something for everyone’

A Scottish Borders livestock farm covering almost 1200 acres and undergoing organic conversion is being launched by Smiths Gore.

The overall volume of land being marketed in southern Scotland remains relatively low and agents expect prices to continue to rise for another six to 12 months before any potential credit crunch-linked levelling out.

The principal lot on Housebyres Farm, near Galashiels, has over 600 acres and is billed as an excellent stock farm with sporting appeal, a cottage, extensive modern buildings and planning consent for a new farmhouse.

A further 70 acres has consent for a ruined building to be turned into a shooting bothy, and the remaining 490 acres of hill ground is part planted under the Scottish forestry grant scheme, with a smaller area of improved grassland and two stocked trout ponds. A Habitats Scheme produces a further £9600.

“There is something for everyone here,” says Smith Gore’s Niall Macalister Hall. “It is a good farm, with good grant scheme income, in a lovely setting.” The farm is for sale as a whole or in three lots, with offers over £2.425m invited.