Bell Ingram colleagues walk over 12 million steps for charity challenge

Forty-two intrepid walkers of all ages and abilities have been stepping up to raise cash for Bell Ingram’s three chosen charities – rural charity RSABI, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).

Clocking up a combined total of 12 million steps during the month-long April fundraiser, the group of colleagues from across the company’s offices in Scotland and the North of England raised £4000 which was split between the three charities.

Supported by their dogs, children and partners, the walkers fitted in their extra miles before, during and after work as well as at weekends, and a WhatsApp group was set up to motivate the group and soon became a great way of sharing routes and posting pictures.

Samantha McDonald, Bell Ingram’s Compliance Manager, helped organise the challenge. She said: “This is the second year we have run the Spring Step Challenge. With the introduction of working from home during the pandemic, the idea was to challenge colleagues to take more exercise during the day. The challenge was so popular we decided to bring it back for 2022, and colleagues smashed last year’s total by a whole 2 million steps.

“Well done to all those who took part, we hope they enjoyed it and feel the benefits.”

David Leggat, Chair of RSABI, congratulated the Bell Ingram team on an excellent fundraising initiative. “Our sincere thanks to all the staff involved in the Spring Step Challenge and to everyone who supported their efforts. We are delighted to have been selected as one of the charities to benefit from funds raised and our thanks also go to Bell Ingram for helping to raise awareness of our new Freephone Helpline – 0808 1234 555.”

Lin Stead, Regional Fundraising Manager for Yorkshire Air Ambulance (East & North), said: “We would like to thank Bell Ingram for their generous donation of £1,326.00 from their Spring Step Challenge. A big thank you to all the organisers and those who took part, we hope you all enjoyed keeping fit and working on those steps to support our lifesaving charity.

“It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of Yorkshire’s air ambulances maintained and in the air and donations from communities and businesses such as Bell Ingram are the life-blood of our service and enable us to stay airborne.”

Our people

Sam McDonald

Sam McDonald

Senior Associate
Tel: 01738 621 121

About: Supports senior management to maintain companywide legal and ethical integrity through day to day management of Bell Ingram’s Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental Management Systems. Responsible for maintaining ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and Achilles UVDB Supplier certification. Internal auditor. Interests: Compliance, Environmental Management, Sustainability, Quality Assurance, Data Protection, Anti-Money Laundering, Health & Safety, Wellbeing, Mental Health First Aid, CSR.

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    Article posted on 21/06/2022

    A rare chance to buy on the magical island of Iona

    A charming, five-bedroom cottage offers an exceptionally rare opportunity to buy on the magical Scottish island of Iona.

    Presented for sale by Bell Ingram at offers over £595,000, Iona Cottage is set in a prominent, central location close to Iona Abbey.

    Commenting on the sale, Andrew Fuller from Bell Ingram’s Oban Office, says: “Iona Cottage offers buyers the chance to acquire a well-presented five-bedroom detached house, the perfect home for those looking to relocate to this magical Inner Hebrides island.

    “Iona holds a special place in the hearts of people from around the world and properties are seldom listed for sale in the open market. With far reaching views across the Sound of Iona to the Isle of Mull, Iona Cottage is thought to be one of the oldest properties on the island.”

    Home to the world famous Iona Abbey, one of the oldest Christian religious centres, the Isle of Iona is full of history with many visitors following in the footsteps of St Columba. Nearby is St Oran’s Chapel and Reilig Odhrain which is reputed to be the burial place of Macbeth and 47 other kings of Scotland.

    Set across two floors, Iona Cottage features traditional wood panelling, with an open fireplace in the living room and stunning views across the bay from the sunroom.

    The property is entered from the front, with the main entrance door leading from the front garden into a central hallway. To the right, the family kitchen features a traditional farmhouse style layout, with an oil-fired ESSE range stove. A walk-in pantry is also located within the kitchen, with space for a small dining table.

    To the left of the hall, the family lounge is warmed through by an open grate fire, set within a natural stone fire surround, a focal point within the room. The room extends through to a sunroom, located to the left side of the property and offering panoramic views across the gardens and beyond, across the bay.

    The ground floor bedroom is located to the rear of the house, with a door opening out onto the garden. A family bathroom is also located adjacent to the bedroom, featuring a full-sized bath and white two-piece Victorian style bathroom suite. A shower is positioned over the bath.

    A sizable utility room is also located to the rear of the house, with a useful storage room located under the stairs, previously used a photographic dark room. The upper floor layout offers further accommodation by way of four bedrooms, three of which are positioned to the front of the house, offering stunning coastal views, with the remaining bedroom located to the rear of the property. A second family bathroom is also located on the upper floor, accessed from the rear landing.

    Andrew Fuller adds: “Iona Cottage is the perfect island home filled with charm and presents a great opportunity for buyers looking to enjoy an idyllic rural lifestyle.

    “The island is inhabited by around 130 people and has a traditional community feeling to it. On top of that the number of vehicles on Iona is restricted by permit and with no crime to speak of, it makes a wonderfully safe environment for children and adults alike.

    “For outdoor enthusiasts, Iona boasts first-rate walking opportunities, a variety of wildlife and beautiful, white sandy beaches.

    “Iona, accessed via a regular ferry service from the Isle of Mull, is fully equipped with a well-stocked general store as well as a number of other amenities and businesses catering to the needs of locals and tourists alike.”

    For more information about Iona Cottage or to request a viewing, please contact Andrew Fuller on 01631 567 791 or email andrew.fuller@bellingram.co.uk

    Article posted on 28/06/2022

    Biodiversity boost for Lintrathen land 

    Bell Ingram is helping Scottish Water to create a brand new area of woodland in Angus aimed at improving biodiversity and wildlife habitats.  

    The water provider is transforming 100 hectares of hillside close to Lintrathen Reservoir which was previously a mixture of mature conifers and rough grassland. The process of rewilding the site with a combination of native pine and broadleaf trees is underway as part of Scottish Water’s route to net zero. When it matures, the new woodland is expected to be much more beneficial for local wildlife, as well as capturing a significant amount of carbon.  

    Scottish Water’s Sustainability and Climate Change Manager Mark Williams said: “As part of our overall strategy, we’ve pledged to find opportunities to use the land that we own to increase biodiversity and enhance the natural environment – and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.  

    “We’ve removed the plantations of conifers currently at this site because they’ve reached the end of their productive lives. They’re being replaced by a mixture of native conifers and broadleaf trees such as ash, oak and birch. This kind of mixed woodland is a much more attractive place for birds, insects and mammals to live and will massively improve biodiversity in this area.

    “Not only that, but this new woodland will lock up a huge amount of carbon – we estimate that within about 10 years it will begin to capture around 1000 tonnes of carbon per year, which will be a major contribution towards our net zero goals.”

    The logs cut at the Lintrathen site have been sent for processing to James Jones Sawmill in Lockerbie, which also puts sustainability at the heart of its operations. The trees will be used to produce furniture and construction materials.  

    Stuart McArtney, Forest Manager with Bell Ingram said: “Replanting this land will make a real difference to the wildlife in the area. Dense, monoculture planting provides only a very limited habitat, but this new mixed woodland means we’ll see more birds nesting, insects will come in to pollinate the tree flowers and it could also help to boost the numbers of native species like red squirrels and black grouse.    

    “These young trees will soon become a fantastic green space for the local community, for wildlife and will make a really important contribution to reducing the effects of climate change.”

    Scottish Water is looking for further opportunities to create woodland on its land throughout Scotland, as part of its commitment to reach net zero and improve biodiversity. The utility company has pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

    Our people

    Stuart McArtney

    Stuart McArtney

    Senior Associate, BSc For MICFor
    Forestry Management
    Tel: 01738 621 121

    About: Stuart is a highly experienced Forest Manager working across Scotland advising private, corporate and public sector clients on all aspects of forestry and project management. Heading up Bell Ingram's Forestry team in Perth, Stuart joined the company in 2014 and specialises in new woodland creation schemes. He is also highly experienced in GIS mapping. Interests: Forestry, Mapping & GIS Services, Woodland Management.

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      Article posted on 13/06/2022

      Bell Ingram heads project team for Braemar Castle restoration

      Bell Ingram Design’s conservation architect Susan Burness is heading up the team tasked with restoring A-listed Braemar Castle and its grounds.

      Work had now started on the project following confirmation of funding support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland. The main contractor is Harper & Allen Masonry.

      Braemar Castle, located at the Haughs of Dee, has been an army barracks, family home and visitor attraction since it was built in 1628 by John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar as his Highland hunting lodge.

      It was a target in the first Jacobite uprising in 1689 and torched by John Farquharson of Inverey. Following the Battle of Culloden, the castle was used as a garrison for Hanoverian soldiers to suppress any lingering Jacobite support.

      It was gifted to Braemar Community Trust on a 50-year lease by owner Captain Alywne Farquharson, 16th Laird of Invercauld and Chief of Clan Farquharson, in 2007. Since then, it has been managed by the Braemar Community Ltd. group whose vision is to conserve the castle as a visitor attraction and community resource for schools, charities and individuals.

      Susan Burness said: “Bell Ingram are delighted to have been appointed by Braemar Community Ltd. to improve the fabric and infrastructure of this important building. It is a great opportunity to secure the castle for future generations.”

      The repair and conservation of the Castle exterior and Curtain Wall will include structural repair, re-harling and lime-washing. Further research during the development phase will confirm the specific shade.

      Susan continued. “The restored building will reflect the original colour, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Castle. Essential interior works, including electrical upgrade, window repairs and drainage upgrade, will provide a more appropriate environment for the collections averting any further detrimental effects to collections conditions and providing a more pleasant environment for visitors.”

      Elsewhere, the Castle setting will be enhanced with sightlines cleared, landscape management and re-planting in the Grounds and Curtain Wall areas.

      Susan added: “The visitor arrival experience will be improved with all visitors entering through the Grounds gate, which will be widened to enhance accessibility, and reaching the Castle via an accessible all-weather pathway. The improved Castle experience will also see the removal of the existing cabin and the introduction of a modest extension providing accessible visitor toilets and improved space for introductory interpretation and a tour group assembly point.

      “Development of the Grounds experience also encompass the refurbishment of the timber fog house to feature a timeline on the accessible path depicting key points in the Castle’s story linking with the interpretive focus of the Castle, nature trail through the grounds and re-instated garden experience.”

      If you are interested in finding out more about what Bell Ingram Design can bring to your conservation project, get in touch by calling 01738 621 121 or emailing design@bellingram.co.uk with us today.

      Our people

      Iain Cram

      Iain Cram

      Architect
      Design
      Tel: 01738 621 121

      About: Iain is Partner in charge of Bell Ingram Design. His main role is working with clients on projects from the initial concept, through site searches, funding challenges and statutory consents. He's an experienced and talented architect with a long track record, working on a diverse range of projects from small scale residential through to large public, commercial, residential and tourism builds. Interests: Architecture, Building Surveying, Trustee of the Scottish Lime Centre, a highly respected historic building skills training centre.

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        ArArticle posted on 13/06/2022

        Protect your land and estate with voluntary registration

        By Marcus Humphrey, GIS Manager

        The 2024 deadline for voluntary land registration is fast approaching and those with property remaining on the older General Sasine Register may risk losing out.

        The General Register of Sasines is the oldest national public land register in the world, dating back to 1617 and is a record of land deeds based on written description of properties. It is currently being replaced by the Land Register of Scotland, a digital map-based service which provides superior accuracy on land ownership.

        There are three avenues that land and property can take to move from the Sasine Register to its modern-day successor. The most common is when land is transacted upon, including a change of Lender for example, which would immediately trigger a digital land registration. Property can also be voluntarily registered by the owner, but the final, less favoured avenue, is when the Keeper registers the land.

        It is common for large swaths of land and estates, which don’t often, if ever, change hands, to be lingering on the Sasine Register. In a push to make sure all land and property is digitised in Scotland, the Keeper has set a target of 90% of Scotland’s land mass to be transferred to the Land Register by December 2024.

        Titles in the Sasine Register are notoriously difficult to decipher in a modern-day context and boundary descriptions are often the best interpretation, meaning the margin for error is high as plans are often not 100% accurate.

        For landowners with complex boundaries, this can prove problematic when the Keeper comes to register the land on the digital system. To avoid errors in title, it is preferable to voluntarily register land to retain full control over what appears in the Land Register.

        The GIS Mapping team at Bell Ingram has expertise in preparing Title Plans for landowners and dealing with complex title deeds to facilitate the transfer to the Land Register. With access to a large collection of historical maps, coupled with the most up-to-date mapping software, our team can accurately interpret titles to confirm the extent of ownership. For more complex titles where boundaries are unclear our team will conduct a site survey to help produce maps and digital data to evidence your land ownership.

        If you have still to register your land for the digital system, please contact our GIS Manager Marcus Humphrey on marcus.humphrey@bellingram.co.uk or 01738 621121 to discuss your mapping needs. For more information on our GIS Mapping service visit bellingram.co.uk

        Our people

        Protect your land and estate with voluntary registration

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          Article posted on 13/06/2022

          Protect your land and estate with voluntary registration

          By Marcus Humphrey, GIS Manager

          The 2024 deadline for voluntary land registration is fast approaching and those with property remaining on the older General Sasine Register may risk losing out.

          The General Register of Sasines is the oldest national public land register in the world, dating back to 1617 and is a record of land deeds based on written description of properties. It is currently being replaced by the Land Register of Scotland, a digital map-based service which provides superior accuracy on land ownership.

          There are three avenues that land and property can take to move from the Sasine Register to its modern-day successor. The most common is when land is transacted upon, including a change of Lender for example, which would immediately trigger a digital land registration. Property can also be voluntarily registered by the owner, but the final, less favoured avenue, is when the Keeper registers the land.

          It is common for large swaths of land and estates, which don’t often, if ever, change hands, to be lingering on the Sasine Register. In a push to make sure all land and property is digitised in Scotland, the Keeper has set a target of 90% of Scotland’s land mass to be transferred to the Land Register by December 2024.

          Titles in the Sasine Register are notoriously difficult to decipher in a modern-day context and boundary descriptions are often the best interpretation, meaning the margin for error is high as plans are often not 100% accurate.

          For landowners with complex boundaries, this can prove problematic when the Keeper comes to register the land on the digital system. To avoid errors in title, it is preferable to voluntarily register land to retain full control over what appears in the Land Register.

          The GIS Mapping team at Bell Ingram has expertise in preparing Title Plans for landowners and dealing with complex title deeds to facilitate the transfer to the Land Register. With access to a large collection of historical maps, coupled with the most up-to-date mapping software, our team can accurately interpret titles to confirm the extent of ownership. For more complex titles where boundaries are unclear our team will conduct a site survey to help produce maps and digital data to evidence your land ownership.

          If you have still to register your land for the digital system, please contact our GIS Manager Marcus Humphrey on marcus.humphrey@bellingram.co.uk or 01738 621121 to discuss your mapping needs. For more information on our GIS Mapping service visit bellingram.co.uk

          Our people

          Stuart McArtney

          Stuart McArtney

          Senior Associate, BSc For MICFor
          Forestry Management
          Tel: 01738 621 121

          About: Stuart is a highly experienced Forest Manager working across Scotland advising private, corporate and public sector clients on all aspects of forestry and project management. Heading up Bell Ingram's Forestry team in Perth, Stuart joined the company in 2014 and specialises in new woodland creation schemes. He is also highly experienced in GIS mapping. Interests: Forestry, Mapping & GIS Services, Woodland Management.

          Get in touch

          We'd love to hear from you, use the form below to email me direct

            Article posted on 13/06/2022

            Five of the best ways to add value to your home

            Now is the time many of us start planning a house move and getting our homes in order ready to put on the market. Senior Associate Andrew Fuller, based in our Oban office, outlines some quick wins to add value to your home before selling up.

            Preparation

            Check your documentation with your solicitor and notify them of your intention to sell. Don’t let boundary disputes and lack of information hold things up as this can prove very costly, and also causes some sales to fall through. If you are conducting viewings yourself, run through the process in your mind first and anticipate questions about the property and local area, and have the answers prepared.

            Professional Photography

            Follow the advice of your estate agent when it comes to professional photography; they know what will work best for your sale. Online marketing is very competitive, and you need to make your property stand out among the other local listings. Anticipate what the pictures should look like and dress the room prior to the photography day, trying to declutter where possible. You can also prepare for the photography by cutting lawns, cleaning and organising your house.

            Have documentation in order

            Create a file for your property and make sure that any items still under warranty are detailed, for example replacement windows, stove, boiler, etc. It gives comfort to a buyer to know that the property is in good order. If you have a fireplace, get the chimney swept and certified. Make sure that septic tanks are registered with the necessary authority, we have had many sales delayed because of this. It also helps to have a printed copy of the sales particulars to hand.

            Up-sell the potential

            Guide viewers to areas which have potential, for example garden areas that have a significant view, attic space for conversion, or outdoor space for an external studio or chalet, even if you haven’t made the alterations yourself at the time of sale. Most agents will have covered this in their sales part

            If you are considering selling your home, farm or estate, our dedicated team is on hand to provide the expert advice you need. Find your nearest Bell Ingram office here.

            Our people

            Andrew Fuller

            Andrew Fuller

            Senior Associate
            Estate Agency
            Tel: 01631 566 122

            About: Andrew heads up the Estate Agency team in our Oban office and is focused on ensuring his clients have a first-class experience when they list their property with Bell Ingram. A resident of the Isle of Mull, Andrew is very well known across the West Coast of Scotland and has developed an excellent reputation for marketing prime residential property, including plots, crofts, island homes and lifestyle opportunities. Andrew joined Bell Ingram following almost 15 years managing several high-level private and commercial development projects in the United Arab Emirates. Interests: Residential Estate Agency, Rural Property Sales.

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            We'd love to hear from you, use the form below to email me direct

              Article posted on 13/06/2022

              RSABI – supporting people in Scottish agriculture for 125 years

              By Carol McLaren, RSABI Chief Executive

              RSABI’s new Chief Executive Carol McLaren took up the position at the start of the year. Carol grew up on a family farm in Perthshire and is well-known in the farming community, having previously worked as an agri-journalist, for whisky companies Edrington and Diageo, and for Quality Meat Scotland.

              After four months in my new role, I am already incredibly proud of the dedicated team of staff, trustees and volunteers at RSABI, and the excellent work being delivered for the agricultural industry.

              The service RSABI delivers for people in Scottish agriculture ranges from financial and emotional support to practical help and is always given with respect, understanding and confidentiality.  

              Something which I had not realised before joining the team is the breadth of the range of the support offered by RSABI – from providing grants to help with heating costs to opening up channels of communication with statutory agencies, utility providers and creditors. 

              One less well-known service which has seen demand treble since the start of the pandemic is our outgoing call service. Stress and loneliness are the main reasons for people receiving regular phone calls from our team of staff and volunteers.

              When you contact RSABI you will find the response is always compassionate, understanding, and friendly and, for those in need of help, our team of case officers will find a way to make life feel less overwhelming. 

              We’re incredibly grateful to have such fantastic support from the Scottish agricultural community and associated businesses. Whether it is taking part in a fundraising challenge, becoming a member of our supporters’ schemes – as Bell Ingram are – or a trustee on our board, the goodwill from those in the industry is greatly appreciated. 

              During the coming year, RSABI will be celebrating its 125th anniversary and we have an exciting programme of events and activities lined up for this milestone year.

              We’ll also be asking for the agricultural community’s continued support to raise awareness of the work we do and encourage people who need support to get in touch without hesitation. 

              We know there are people who could benefit from our support, including younger people, who for some reason are hesitating to reach out to us. We are looking at steps to address this and in the coming weeks we will be launching an enhanced helpline service which will extend the ways people can get in touch with us to seek support.

              Our Helpline service has this spring moved to being open 24/7, 365 days a year, to ensure we are ready and waiting for calls at any time of day or night.

              There is no doubt that the pandemic and the resulting enforced isolation has had a substantial impact on many people of all ages in agriculture and this is now compounded by the worry we all share about the situation in Ukraine and the effects of the crisis on fuel and input costs.

              With the industry facing many challenges and times of change ahead, it is vital that people know, whatever is around the corner, that RSABI is there for them as we have been for 125 years.

              Our service is always confidential, always friendly, and always understanding so if you are struggling, or worried about a friend, family member or neighbour, please share our number or contact us on 0808 1234 555 or email helpline@rsabi.org.uk. Don’t hesitate.

              Article posted on 09/06/2022

              Award-winning 5-star boutique guest house for sale on the stunning Kintyre Peninsula

              Carradales, the multi award-winning boutique guest house on the Kintyre Peninsula, is being presented for sale by Bell Ingram at offers over £625,000.

              Built in 1892 for the minister of the new Free Church of Scotland by renowned architect H.E. Clifford of Glasgow, Carradales had been under the stewardship of Maurice Whelan and Steve Reed during which time it has received numerous awards, including the prestigious five-star award from the Scottish Tourist Board.

              Situated within the picturesque Argyll village of Carradale, the Victorian property has been recently refurbished to an impeccably high standard and offers luxurious accommodation over two levels.

              Commenting on the sale, Andrew Fuller from Bell Ingram’s Oban office, says: “It is a very special property and certainly not one we would see come onto the market very often.

              “It is currently operated as a successful guest house, however given its popular location, would equally be suited to a family home or holiday let property. Interest is likely to be high, and early viewing is highly recommended.”

              The property is entered from the front, with a welcoming porch leading through to the central hall. To the left, the sitting room offers a comfortable place to relax, with a feature bay window perfectly framing the wonderful open views over the surrounding countryside. The room is warmed through by an open grate fire which is set within a heavy cast fire surround.

              Adjacent to the sitting room, the formal dining room also enjoys views across the rear gardens to the countryside beyond. A combination of high ceilings, well specified finishes and original features such as the intricate decorative cornice gives the room a feeling of opulence, the perfect place for guests to experience the delicious selection of locally sourced food. A feature multifuel stove offers warmth and comfort in equal measure.

              The kitchen is positioned to the end of the hallway and consists of a range of stylish grey wall and floor units, complimented by a contrasting wooden worktop. The design encompasses a range of integrated appliances including a high specification Rangemaster stove and offers plenty of preparation area. The room is warmed by fan-assisted heating. To the rear of the kitchen, a functional utility room and porch also give access to the side garden of the property.

              A double guest bedroom is located on the ground floor, complete with a stylish en-suite bathroom featuring a standalone bath, inbuilt shower and two-piece bathroom suite. A separate WC is also located on the ground floor, accessed from the hallway.

              The upper floor is accessed by a feature wooden staircase, leading up from the hallway. A half-landing provides an unusual seating area, popular with guests looking to relax and take in the countryside views.

              The three upper floor guest bedrooms are all accessed from a central landing and each benefit from a stylish en-suite bathroom. Two of the bedrooms are overlooking the rear gardens and enjoy views across the fields. A fifth bedroom is used as an owner’s residence, also benefitting from an en-suite shower room. All en-suites have electric underfloor heating, along with the ground floor cloakroom. A service staircase leads to the lower floor, exiting close to the utility room. A sizable storage cupboard is accessed from the stairs, with additional storage available under the main staircase.

              For more information about Carradales Guest House or to request a viewing, please contact Andrew Fuller on 01631 567 791 or email andrew.fuller@bellingram.co.uk

              Our people

              Andrew Fuller

              Andrew Fuller

              Senior Associate
              Estate Agency
              Tel: 01631 566 122

              About: Andrew heads up the Estate Agency team in our Oban office and is focused on ensuring his clients have a first-class experience when they list their property with Bell Ingram. A resident of the Isle of Mull, Andrew is very well known across the West Coast of Scotland and has developed an excellent reputation for marketing prime residential property, including plots, crofts, island homes and lifestyle opportunities. Andrew joined Bell Ingram following almost 15 years managing several high-level private and commercial development projects in the United Arab Emirates. Interests: Residential Estate Agency, Rural Property Sales.

              Get in touch

              We'd love to hear from you, use the form below to email me direct

                Article posted on 07/06/2022