Meet the Farm Sales Team: Catherine Lawson MRICS

Accurate, informed appraisals are at the heart of every farm sale – and that’s where Catherine Lawson MRICS FAAV, at Bell Ingram, comes in.

Based in Angus, Catherine brings both professional expertise and first-hand farming knowledge to her role, making her a trusted adviser to farming families and landowners alike.

Catherine’s strong background in agriculture runs deep. Having grown up on a farm in Yorkshire and now living on a working farm in Angus, she understands the realities of running a successful farming business. This unique perspective means she appreciates not just the numbers behind an appraisal but also the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that shape farming life.

An experienced valuer, Catherine can also advise on all aspects of farm Red Book valuations, ensuring clients have the clarity and confidence they need to make informed decisions. Whether for succession planning, tax, or secured lending purposes, her insight helps clients see the full picture and plan effectively for the future.

Clients value Catherine’s approachable style and practical guidance, as well as her ability to translate complex details into clear, straightforward advice. She knows how important these decisions are, and she takes pride in offering a service that is both professional and personal.

Contact Catherine on 01307 462516 or email catherine.lawson@bellingram.co.uk to discuss your farm sale.

Meet the Farm Sales Team: John Kennedy MRICS

When it comes to navigating the farmland market, knowledge, experience, and trust are key.

Operating in the Angus farmland market, John Kennedy MRICS is a Chartered Surveyor with a strong understanding of local market conditions and the many factors that influence them. His ability to keep pace with market trends ensures that clients benefit from clear, up-to-date advice that makes all the difference when it comes to buying, selling, or valuing farmland.

A skilled valuer, John has earned a reputation for his professional insight and personal approach. From providing accurate valuations to guiding clients through the sales process, he ensures that every decision is grounded in expertise.

John’s farming background means he doesn’t just look at land as numbers on a page – he understands what it takes to run a successful farming business, and why having reliable valuations is crucial for both day-to-day operations and long-term planning. Clients value his ability to combine professional expertise with a real-world understanding of agriculture.

Passionate about helping farming families and landowners achieve their goals, John is a respected and approachable member of our farm sales team. Whether you are considering selling land, need an up-to-date valuation, or simply want to understand the current market, John is here to provide the practical guidance and professional support you can rely on.

Contact John Kennedy on 01307 462 516 or email john.kennedy@bellingram.co.uk to discuss your farm sale.

Historic Hartwood Home Farm Offers Rare Opportunity to Revive a Piece of Scottish Heritage

A property steeped in social and agricultural history has come to market on the outskirts of Shotts, North Lanarkshire. Bell Ingram is proud to present Hartwood Home Farm, a former research and agricultural facility with deep ties to one of Scotland’s most remarkable healthcare institutions. Offers are invited over £250,000 for the 5.83-hectare (14.4-acre) site.

Once the beating heart of Hartwood Hospital’s pioneering self-sustaining community, Hartwood Home Farm played a vital role in the daily life and recovery of patients. Established to provide fresh produce and meaningful work, the farm embodied a progressive approach to healthcare in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through the decades, the property evolved to reflect Scotland’s changing rural and scientific landscape. In its later years, it became a research facility, continuing its legacy of innovation and service. Each phase of its life adds another chapter to the story of a site that has mirrored broader social and environmental progress.

Today, Hartwood Home Farm stands at another crossroads. Acquired in 2020 by Forestry and Land Scotland, the land has since been earmarked for sustainable timber production, carbon capture, biodiversity enhancement, and community recreation, as outlined in the Hartwood Forest Management Plan. Any future development will therefore be expected to respect and build upon this legacy of public benefit.

The property includes a traditional three-bedroom farmhouse, a spacious four-bedroom apartment, and a modern detached bungalow – all requiring comprehensive renovation and offering substantial potential for sympathetic restoration or adaptive reuse. A varied collection of traditional and modern agricultural buildings further enhances its redevelopment potential.

Estate Agent Carl Warden of Bell Ingram comments: “Alongside the residential buildings, Hartwood Home Farm features a mix of traditional and modern buildings including a former dairy, cattle courts, sheep sheds, hay sheds, and open-plan cattle housing, offering exceptional potential for redevelopment or alternative use.”

Interested parties are invited to submit a statement of intent outlining proposed plans for the site, with particular emphasis on community, cultural, or environmental benefits that honour Hartwood’s enduring social spirit.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Carl Warden on 01738 621121.

International buyers keep Scotland’s farm sales market buoyant

International interest in Scotland’s farm market remains strong according to land and property specialists Bell Ingram.

Following a busy 2025 season, Bell Ingram reports that demand for Scottish farmland continues to attract significant attention from overseas purchasers. The firm has seen enquiries from Europe, and beyond, reflecting a growing appetite among international buyers to secure productive units north of the border.

Several factors underpin this trend:

• Value for money: Agricultural land in Scotland continues to offer comparatively attractive prices. For many buyers from England and Ireland, where values remain consistently high, Scottish land represents an opportunity to expand or consolidate at a lower capital cost.
• Climate resilience: Scotland’s relatively temperate climate and longer growing seasons are increasingly appealing to overseas buyers seeking to relocate from regions affected by drought and other climate-related pressures.
• Investment stability: Institutional and private investors continue to see farmland as a secure long-term asset. Scotland’s established farming infrastructure, coupled with the wider appeal of rural diversification opportunities (forestry, renewables, tourism), has helped maintain confidence in the market.
• High-quality crops: Scotland’s seed potato sector continues to enjoy a global reputation for excellence, which in turn is helping to drive international interest – particularly across Angus. Since the closure of access to EU markets, Scottish growers have sought new outlets in Africa and the Middle East. These relationships are now translating into direct inward investment, with buyers from these regions not only sourcing seed but actively looking to establish farming operations in Angus.
• Policy and support: Scotland’s agricultural subsidy framework is also a draw. While the detail of future reform is still evolving, support north of the border remains more predictable and accessible than in other parts of the UK. In particular, the continuation of area-based payments until at least 2027, coupled with targeted schemes for biodiversity and climate-positive farming, provides buyers with a degree of income certainty during a period of wider change. This contrasts with England, where the transition to Environmental Land Management (ELM) has created uncertainty for those reliant on direct payments.

Malcolm Taylor, Head of Farm Sales at Bell Ingram, comments:

“2025 has been another robust year for Scotland’s farmland market, with international buyers playing an increasingly important role. Overseas purchasers are attracted not just by value for money, but by Scotland’s climate resilience and the supportive policy environment.

We’re also seeing a shift in the type of buyer – not only investors, but families and farming businesses looking to relocate entirely to Scotland in search of stability, productive land and a better long-term outlook.”

Bell Ingram expects the trend to continue into 2026, with a strong pipeline of interest already in place.

For more information on farm sales, contact Bell Ingram’s farm sales team on 01307 462 516.

Meet the Farm Sales team: Rhona Booth MRICS

When it comes to selling farms, there’s no substitute for local knowledge, genuine understanding of the land, and a personal approach that puts clients first. That’s exactly what you get with Rhona Booth MRICS, Partner at Bell Ingram.

An Angus farmer herself and a highly experienced Chartered Surveyor, Rhona brings a unique blend of professional expertise and hands-on farming experience to every farm sale. She has her finger firmly on the pulse of the Scottish farmland market and is widely recognised throughout Angus and beyond as a trusted face in the farming community.

Rhona lives and breathes agriculture. She understands not only the business of farming but also the personal connections people have with their land. For many families, a farm sale marks the end of generations of work and commitment – and Rhona never loses sight of that. Whether she’s helping families with no succession or supporting those who have decided to step away from farming entirely, Rhona is a safe pair of hands who ensures her clients achieve the best possible result.

Her reputation is built on delivering tailored advice, professional insight, and a personal touch that makes the whole process as smooth and reassuring as possible. Clients value her ability to navigate the complexities of farm sales while keeping their individual circumstances and priorities at the heart of every decision.

Rhona’s deep-rooted passion for agriculture, combined with her wealth of experience, makes her an invaluable partner for anyone considering selling their farm. For Rhona, success isn’t just about completing a sale – it’s about ensuring her clients feel supported, confident, and satisfied with the outcome.

If you’re thinking about selling your farm and want expert guidance from someone who truly understands farming life, Rhona is here to help.

Looking for help with your farm sale? Contact Rhona on 01307 462 516or email rhona.booth@bellingram.co.uk