Productive block of Scottish acres with sporting potential

Savills is selling two farms at almost opposite ends of the British Isles.

The firm’s Edinburgh office is handling the sale of 430 acres of farmland and forest at Faughhill, to the west of the Eildon Hills near Montrose, while Penny Dart in Exeter is selling 165 acres with a traditional farmhouse on the edge of Dartmoor.

The Scottish land, which is ring-fenced, falls entirely into Less Favoured Area designation and rises from 721 to 885ft above sea level. About two-thirds is arable and has grown winter cereals, spring barley and oilseed rape. There are about 100 acres of permanent pasture and 30acres of woodland, plus a small loch.

More than 430 acres of arable and pasture at Faughhill, near Montrose, present a good farming opportunity

Savills’ Luke French said it was a chance that would suit a local farmer looking to expand. “Recent Savills research showed that let land has outperformed both residential and commercial property over the past three years, so this could provide an interesting investment opportunity.

Rising rents could generate good income for a non-farmer under a tenancy agreement, or contract farming could be an option.”

All fields have access to water, either from natural watercourses or troughs. There are sound internal farm tracks and the land has good access from a minor public road on its eastern boundary.

The land is entered into Scotland’s Land Management Contract Scheme, Rural Stewardship Schemes, Farm Woodland Scheme and Woodland Grant Scheme. There are no buildings on the land, but Savills said informal discussions have been held with the local planning authority over a dwelling house and farm steading.

The loch and woodland offer a real opportunity to develop the sporting potential. The land is being marketed jointly by Savills and local agent Seed & Co, with a guide price for offers over £1.1m.

In Exeter, Mrs Dart is selling Middle Westcott Farm on the eastern fringe of Dartmoor National Park, near Doccombe. Although not huge, at 165 acres of arable land with some pasture and amenity woodland, it does feature an exceptionally restored Devon farmhouse.

The sale is lotted eight ways and is guided at £1.25m-1.3m as a whole.