Forest Manager Stuart McArtney shares his top tips on buying Scottish woodland

Stuart McArtney, Forestry Management expert at Bell Ingram, explains that buying your own section of Scottish woodland can be made much easier by having the correct professional guidance.

He said: “Buying your own Scottish woodland is clearly not as common a practice as someone buying a home, therefore it’s crucial that you have the right expert advice in your corner.

“Our team of Chartered Foresters provide management services and investment guidance for every type of woodland owner or potential buyer.

“These can be everyone from corporate clients to rural estate owners or individuals wishing to add forestry to their investment portfolio or pension fund. Our Forestry Managers provide a bespoke woodland management service that’s tailored to meet the client’s unique requirements.”

Bell Ingram provide a range of services including woodland budget management, valuations of woodland areas and digital mapping.

Stuart continued: “We have a vast experience and knowledge of different issues regarding woodland ownership and are well placed to help guide buyers through the challenges of today’s forestry industry.

“We are able to take clients through the process of buying Scottish woodland step-by-step and ensure you get the most appropriate advice and are able to take advantage of every opportunity.”

To find out more about buying Scottish woodland or to view any areas currently for sale, visit www.bellingram.co.uk

Article posted on 15/12/2022

Crown Estate tenants express interest in buying farms

Twenty-two tenant farmers have expressed an interest in buying the holdings they currently lease from Crown Estate Scotland.

The farms are on the Applegirth Estate in Dumfries & Galloway, and the area around Auchindoun in Moray, which are both part of a pilot initiative to increase diversity of land ownership in a planned and managed way.

The tenants have now been advised they will move to the next part of the process and have been given an anticipated timescale for this stage which will involve the preparation of detailed sales reports, setting out what they can expect if they go ahead with the purchase. 

The initiative provides an opportunity for tenant farmers to own their own farms and has the potential to generate funding to help Crown Estate Scotland deliver on its commitment to invest £70m over the coming years to generate lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits for communities across Scotland.

Sarah Tyson, Bell Ingram’s Head of Valuations and AMC Agent, said: “Crown Estate Scotland is the first landlord of this size to give tenants this option and the sector is watching with interest to see if this pilot will be rolled out across their remaining rural estates.

“The opportunity to buy your farm can be an exciting prospect, especially if you are offered a discounted purchase price as a sitting tenant. However, there are a number of areas you must consider before making such a major financial decision and I would recommend tenants always take good professional advice on the options being offered, particularly when negotiating the purchase price or agreeing a settlement for relinquishing the tenancy.”

Buying your farm tenancy? Find out how Bell Ingram’s AMC agents can help and the funding options available. Contact Sarah Tyson on 01738 621 121, or email sarah.tyson@bellingram.co.uk.

Article posted on 12/09/2022

Opportunity to own luxury five-star holiday business ‘away from the cares of the world’

A unique lifestyle business opportunity has come to the Highland Perthshire property market.

Mid Balchandy sits in an elevated position above the Tummel Valley in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Currently owned by former art dealer, Ginny Stacy-Marks, the main house is accompanied by two cottages which are run as a successful, five star, luxury holiday let business.

On the market with premium rural estate agents, Bell Ingram for offers over £1,200,000, the three properties offer the right buyer a slice of Highland Perthshire paradise, only two and half miles from Pitlochry.

Ginny, who is originally from Sussex, says: “I am extremely privileged to live here and share this place with my guests who travel to Mid Balchandy from all over the world.

“I see my guests arrive stressed but after a night in my cosy Cottage or Bothy they look like different people – it’s then that I know I have done something right.”

With stunning views over the Tummel Valley to Strathtay, Ginny says living at Mid Balchandy feels as though you are “away from the cares of the world” as she fondly describes the properties as her “bubble on hill.”

Ginny bought the properties in 2014 when she set to work renovating the original two bedroom farmhouse to form The Cottage and Cart Shed and Hay Loft which became The Bothy with the dream of running a luxury holiday business. Following a full renovation, Ginny was able to put her love of interior design to good use by dressing the properties with furniture and decoration of the highest specification, which is available in the sale by separate negotiation.

“I feel as though I have fulfilled my dream,” Ginny continues, “I have created two stunning destinations from the old cart shed and the original farmhouse which has been a great pleasure of mine and guests often comment on the design as a deciding factor when choosing to holiday here at Mid Balchandy.”

Ginny’s eye for design is also on show in the main home, The Steading. The property is ideal for entertaining with its open plan layout that includes a large kitchen with aga, dining room, bright and spacious living room and separate garden room.

Upstairs Ginny has changed the original layout which now incorporates a master bedroom with en suite and dressing room, and an additional two spacious double bedrooms and accompanying bathrooms.

The three properties can be used in several different ways, including continuing the success of the holiday let business. Alternatively, The Steading could be used as a principal family home with the additional cottages used by parents or grandparents. 

As she speaks about her next move, Ginny describes her reasons for moving on from her much loved home: “After my husband passed at age 56, I realised I needed to fulfil my ambitions at Mid Balchandy and now I have done that I feel ready to wind down. The business is thriving, and I love welcoming guests to this special place, but I am now ready to do more of the other things in life that I enjoy such as cycling and wild swimming.”

However, Highland Perthshire has made her mark on the businesswoman who plans to stay local and find the perfect plot to fulfil her next dream – a tiny eco home with its own flower meadow, this time just for one.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing contact Carl Warden on 01738 621121 or email carl.warden@bellingram.co.uk.

Article posted on 07/09/2022

Land Agent Catherine Lawson delivers SAAVA tutorial 

Bell Ingram’s Catherine Lawson delivered the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers’ Association (SAAVA) August tutorial at Easter Craigduckie Farm near Dunfermline recently.  

The tutorial, which provides guidance and practical exam experience to probationer members in preparation for their CAAV exams, was well attended and offered plenty of discussion opportunities.

Forfar-based Associate Catherine is keen to encourage more land agents to take these examinations, preferably alongside their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become a qualified chartered surveyor.

She explained: “The FAAV qualification is particularly relevant to our work as rural chartered surveyors and gives clients confidence that they are dealing with someone who really knows what they are talking about when it comes to agricultural matters.

“The exam tests the candidates’ knowledge on a broad range of agricultural topics including agricultural practices, valuation, law, taxation, rights over land, development, landlord and tenant, professional practice, and general knowledge of the countryside. However, the emphasis is very much on instilling a practical understanding of agricultural valuation and land agency and for that reason the qualification is highly respected among clients, colleagues and peers.

“The exam itself is tough and challenging, but it’s also incredibly useful preparation for what happens in the real world and the sense of accomplishment when you pass is immense.

“In my job as a Land Agent working as part of Bell Ingram’s Land Management team, I could be sitting in the office filling out IACS forms one minute or valuating land for clients the next. The variety is what makes the job so interesting and I’m glad I took CAAV Fellowship route and would strongly encourage others to do so too.”

Candidates (who will already be ‘Probationer’ members of CAAV and Scottish affiliated SAAVA) must attend the equivalent of four full day tutorials before sitting the exam. At least two years’ relevant work experience is also recommended.

The two-day exam involves written, oral and practical elements, with the latter taking place on site at a working farm with the questions replicating real life situations as closely as possible. Candidates must gain a mark of 65% overall, with 60% or more in each of the three elements in order to pass the exam.

SAAVA Secretary Debbie Edmondson said: “Well done to all involved in the recent tutorial at Craigduckie Farm and especially Catherine Lawson for all the advance preparation which SAAVA greatly appreciates. A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to deliver these training days. Very best of luck to our probationary members sitting the CAAV exams in November.”

The location of Easter Craigduckie Farm (Craigduckie Shepherds Huts) was by kind permission of former Bell Ingram Land Agent (and now consultant) Katie Roberts and family.

Article posted on 07/09/2022

New inquiry into sustainable timber and deforestation

A new parliamentary inquiry will examine the UK’s sustainable timber industry and the UK’s contribution to global deforestation.

The inquiry by the Environmental Audit Committee will investigate how the UK, which imports most of its timber, can best scale up a sustainable, resilient domestic timber sector and reduce its reliance on imports.

In addition, the inquiry will examine the degree to which UK supply chains contribute to deforestation overseas and the effectiveness of the government’s efforts to curb this. Consideration will also be given to how the UK works with international partners to tackle deforestation.

Geoff Brown, Bell Ingram’s Head of Forestry, said: “I’m sure that this new inquiry into the UK timber industry and global deforestation will be welcomed across the forestry sector as it’s vital that we ensure our timber industry is future proofed and can support ambitious net zero targets across the UK’s four administrations while at the same time giving us a better understanding of the worldwide impact of any imports.”

This inquiry welcomes submissions until Thursday 8 September 2022. Search the UK Government website for more details.

Find out more about our Forestry services here.

Article posted on 01/09/2022