Early but slow start of farms for sale in Scotland this year

A few Scottish farms have hit the market earlier than usual, but agents say the number of units for sale this year is still likely to be limited.

Anna Thomas of Savills’ Edinburgh office has launched three properties so far this year. Just over 900 acres of coastal grazing land at Leuchars in Fife, which was put on the market in January with a guide of over £650,000, is already under offer.

“I think we’ve definitely been helped by the mild weather. Traditionally, I would have been worried spending money on advertising a property at this time of year in case it got snowed in and nobody could go and see it. But if people get prepared the previous autumn you can launch now in January or February I’m not sure if it’s global warming.”

Senwick

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Miss Thomas has just put a 316-acre stock farm near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries & Galloway up for sale and is expecting plenty of interest. “It’s on the west coast, so is in the right location for the Irish.”

Despite a significant increase last year in land values, Upper Senwick at Borgue, looks relatively good value. Priced at offers over £1.1m, it includes a recently renovated six-bedroom house, which is available separately for £390,000. The farm supports 375 head of cattle and 340 mule gimmers.

“It’s a cracking good livestock farm and there has been a dearth of farms of all types for sale over the past couple of years. There is generally good demand for grass in the area, so if the farm sells as a whole to a non-farmer the land could be let out,” said Miss Thomas.

Increasing land values were not likely to tempt more farmers to sell this year, she reckoned. “I think it’s going to be relatively quiet in terms of supply and on the back of that we’ll see strong prices.”

Anders Kennedy at Strutt & Parker’s Edinburgh office agreed. “We’ve got a few things to launch in May, but I think supply will remain restrained. Things are certainly looking rosier for arable farmers. If you want to sell, now is a good time, there’s no doubt about that.”

Scotland farm for sale.