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

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.

ArArticle posted on 13/06/2022

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

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Article posted on 07/06/2022

Bell Ingram boosts team with six new Associate appointments

Rural professional services firm Bell Ingram is delighted to announce the promotion of three Senior Associates and the appointment of three new Associates.

Rhona Booth (Perth), Andrew Fuller (Oban) and Charlotte Gilfillan (Highland) are promoted to Senior Associate, while Jamie Cowie (Highland), Alison Lowson (Perth) and Alastair Skinner (Perth) are appointed to Associate.

Mark Michell, Managing Partner of Bell Ingram, said: “At Bell Ingram, we firmly believe in actively promoting from within to encourage our employees to advance professionally. These promotions demonstrate our continuing commitment to grow and expand our business and to reward talented, hard-working professional people.

“We are currently recruiting for a number of positions, including qualified chartered surveyors and a head of forestry. If you would like to join our workforce, feel free to drop your CV for our consideration.”

• Chartered surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer, Rhona Booth joined the Perth office in March 2020 and since then has brought in new clients and taken on the lead role on a major management contract. Rhona has also assumed the role of APC training co-ordinator.

• Andrew Fuller joined Bell Ingram in 2018 after 14 years managing high-level development projects in the U.A.E. Under his guidance Bell Ingram’s Estate Agency business is becoming the go-to Agent for rural and higher value properties in Argyll and Bute.

• Charlotte Gillfillan joined Bell Ingram in 2009, moving from Forfar to Beauly in 2019 where she has been a driving force in helping to develop the Bell Ingram brand in the Highlands. A qualified chartered surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer, she specialises in Rural Estate Management.

• Dual qualified Jamie Cowie joined Bell Ingram in 2003 as a forest manager before going on to become a MRICS qualified chartered surveyor. Working out of the Highland office he undertakes the full range of professional work – forestry management, valuation, boundary disputes, crofting work and his skills are specifically sought after by larger utilities clients.

• Alastair Skinner joined Bell Ingram in April 2011 as an IT assistant before taking over the role of IT Manager in 2019. He has been instrumental in developing our agile IT infrastructure which has enabled staff to work from remote locations to provide an ongoing service to our clients across all areas of our business.

• Marketing Manager Alison Lowson supports the business with day-to-day marketing and communications with an emphasis on digital marketing, content writing and social media. Alison previously worked as a newspaper editor before joining Bell Ingram in 2019 after an 18-month stint with a marketing agency.

Full details of all our current vacancies at www.bellingram.co.uk

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Article posted on 26/05/2021

Rare opportunity to own slice of Highland History

An opportunity to purchase two properties steeped in Highland history has arisen with premium rural estate agents, Bell Ingram.

On the market for offers over £150,000, 1 & 2 Review Park are situated on the outskirts of Golspie and a stone’s throw from the magnificent Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of the Sutherland Clan.

The cottages were built circa 1800 in the Countess of Sutherland’s Review Park, where the famous 93^rd Highlander Regiment of Foot were raised in 1799.

From their base in Golspie, the 93rd Highlander regiment went on to fight all over the world with the British Army, but their name was cemented into the history books during the Crimean War at the Battle of Balaclava.

As the Russians approached the site occupied by the Brits, the 93^rd formed a line across the cavalry’s line of advance. William Russell, the Times correspondent, described the sight of the regiment as a ‘thin red line tipped with steel’. Despite being vastly outnumbered by their counterparts, the regiment’s unyielding presence caused the Russians to abandon their intention of taking Balaclava and the phrase ‘thin red line’ went on to symbolise any thinly spread military unit holding firm against attack.

As well as a popular stop on the North Coast 500, the Golspie area is a favourite for military historians and recently became home to the Battle of Littleferry Trail which takes history buffs on the journey of a Jacobean battle that took place on the eve of the famous Culloden clash.

The properties, which are on the market as a single lot, are category B Listed and offer the right buyer an exciting renovation and refurbishment opportunity.

Estate Agent, Joanne Stennett, comments on the sale: “1 & 2 Review Park are the perfect projects for a property lover with a keen interest in history.

“It is rare to see properties come to the market that are so rich in local, national and international history and we are excited to be part of the next step in their journey.”

For more information on 1 & 2 Review Park please contact Joanne Stennett on 01463 717799 or email joanne.stennett@bellingram.co.uk

Article posted on 12/05/2022

Bell Ingram’s Head of Estate Agency Carl Warden urges sellers not to wait

Carl Warden, Head of Estate Agency at premium rural agency, Bell Ingram, advises prospective sellers and buyers not to wait until the property market get back to ‘normal’
 
Who remembers the boom and bust property markets of the early 1970s or the late 1980s? Who remembers the MIRAS debacle in 1988 and 15% mortgage interest rates? More people will remember recent mini booms and busts, general elections, Black Wednesday, the Scottish referendum, the banking crisis, Brexit and, of course, the global pandemic. Over the years all these events, large and small, have affected the market to a greater or lesser extent.

So, if anyone is waiting for the property market to get back to ‘normal’ they will wait a long time as there is no normal property market. In property we have to play the cards we are dealt. Sometimes the market will benefit the buyer, and sometimes the seller. In all these years the market has never suited both buyers and sellers at the same time. But then what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts.

It is essential to understand that the market is continually in flux. We now have the challenge of low stocks of property for sale, increasing interest rates and property values in some areas rising steeply. Will this continue? No. Why? Because nothing continues unchanged in property for long. Things are constantly moving.

So, my advice is to play the property, not the market. Find a deal that works for you. Please don’t wait for the market to normalise; it won’t. Don’t try and wait until we have reached the top of the market to sell, because when you think that the market has reached the top, it will already be too late. Winning in property is finding the right property deal for you when you need it. Put another way, would you rather have a perfect property or a perfect market? I know which I would choose.

If you are looking to sell your property, speak to our Estate Agency team to organise a free market appraisal. Call 017380 621121 or email carl.warden@bellingram.co.uk

Article posted on 07/03/2022

Historic property in enviable coastal position on remote North coast of Scotland

A rare opportunity to purchase a historic property on the banks of Sandside Harbour on the remote north coast of Scotland is on the market with premium rural estate agents, Bell Ingram.

Nestled into a sleepy bay, number 1 Sandside Harbour sits in an enviable position overlooking a small sandy beach to the crystal blue water of the Pentland Firth beyond.

Located along the coast from Reay, a picturesque village with stunning stone built houses, and 11 miles west of Thurso, the property benefits from close proximity to multiple sandy beaches and the most northerly 18-hole golf course in the country.

The one bedroom property, which is Category A listed, is a stone cottage that was built in 1830 and has been in the same family ownership since 1965.

The property itself has been tastefully modernised and comprises a modern kitchen and living room, featuring an open cast iron fire on the ground floor, and one bedroom and bathroom on the first floor above. A garage is attached to the property and a good size garden features to the rear.

Bell Ingram Estate Agent, Joanne Stennett comments: “It is rare to see an attractive property in such an idyllic location come to the market in this particular area of the north coast.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for those looking to purchase a first home. For buyers looking for a coastal property with a real remote feel then this could be the one for you.”

For more information on number 1 Sandside Harbour contact Joanne Stennett on 01463 717799 or email joanne.stennett@bellingram.co.uk

Article posted on 28/02/2022