Press Release Archive News

Discover the charms of Island Life with Flat 1B, Free Church Manse, Isle of Coll

Discover Tranquillity and Charm at Flat 1B, Free Church Manse on the Isle of Coll

Bell Ingram Oban presents a unique five-bedroom property offering historic charm and modern comforts.

Bell Ingram Oban is delighted to present Flat 1B, Free Church Manse, a hidden gem nestled within the picturesque coastal village of Arinagour on the Isle of Coll. This spacious five-bedroom property, rich in history and modern comforts, is a versatile retreat ideal for family living or holiday getaways in one of Scotland’s most stunning island settings.

The Isle of Coll is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and serene environment, providing the perfect backdrop for this charming two-floor residence. The classic stone façade of the former Free Church Manse greets you upon arrival, a testament to the building’s historical significance within the local community. Inside, the flat offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, seamlessly blending contemporary style with traditional elements.

Accessed from the first floor by the original stone staircase, the flat is tastefully decorated and designed to maximise comfort and functionality. Andrew Fuller, Estate Agent at Bell Ingram Oban, describes the property: “A spacious living area is located on the first floor, bathed in natural light, thanks to dual aspect windows that offer far-reaching views of the village and surrounding countryside.

“The kitchen extends through to combine with dining and lounge areas, a wonderful place to socialise with family and friends. The accommodation is split between the first and upper floors, five bedrooms in total, offering flexibility for alternate uses, as required.”

One of the standout features of Flat 1B is its central island location. The Isle of Coll is renowned for its wildlife, unspoiled beaches, and outdoor activities.

Andrew Fuller adds: “Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, a beachcomber, or someone who simply enjoys the great outdoors, this island has something for everyone. The local community is friendly and welcoming, making it easy to feel at home.”

The property also offers the convenience of being close to essential amenities, including local shops and transport links, making it an excellent choice for those seeking an escape from city life without sacrificing convenience.

Flat 1B, Free Church Manse is truly a rare find, offering a unique blend of historic charm and modern living in a spectacular setting.

For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Andrew Fuller at 01631 566 122 or email andrew.fuller@bellingram.co.uk

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Press Release Archive News

Luxurious Kinellen Country House Hits the Market for £800,000

Luxurious Kinellen Country House Hits the Market for £800,000

Bell Ingram is proud to announce the sale of Kinellen, a luxurious five to six-bedroom detached country house, now available for offers over £800,000. Nestled in a highly sought-after rural setting near Muir of Ord, this exquisite property boasts spectacular panoramic views across the Conon Valley, extending to Ben Wyvis and the majestic Northwest Highlands.

Constructed in 2005, Kinellen stands as a substantial family home, featuring sandstone exterior walls on its main elevations and set within extensive, beautifully landscaped garden grounds. The house is impeccably maintained and showcases top-tier craftsmanship with high-quality, solid oak fixtures and fittings throughout.

Designed with both elegance and functionality in mind, Kinellen welcomes residents with a striking double-height reception hall, bathed in natural light from an expansive roof window. The kitchen is a chef’s dream, equipped with a double oven Aga and meticulously crafted fittings. Spacious rooms are thoughtfully arranged to maximise the breathtaking views, offering luxurious family accommodations, including the convenience of an internal lift to the upper floor.

The exterior of the property is equally impressive, with a block-paved driveway meandering through a wooded front garden, leading to ample parking for multiple vehicles. A sandstone-paved patio encircles the back of the house, providing an ideal space for outdoor entertainment. The rear garden features a charming stone dyke boundary, with lush lawns, planted beds, borders, and mature trees. The front garden is adorned with ornamental bushes and mature trees, enhancing the property’s tranquil ambiance.

Joanne Stennett, Estate Agent at Bell Ingram, highlights the property’s allure: “Kinellen is a stunning property. The extremely high-quality fixtures and fittings, beautifully proportioned rooms, well-maintained gardens, and far-reaching views make a winning combination.”

For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Joanne Stennett at 01463 717799 or email joanne.stennett@bellingram.co.uk. 

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Press Release Archive News

Bell Ingram moves to new office in Kendal serving Cumbria and North Lancashire

Bell Ingram moves to new office in Kendal serving Cumbria and North Lancashire

Bell Ingram is delighted to announce the official opening of our new office at Martindale House, Murley Moss Business Park, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria.

This strategic move marks an important milestone in Bell Ingram’s commitment to providing exceptional service and expertise to clients across Cumbria and North Lancashire.

The Kendal office will be staffed by a dedicated team of professionals who bring a wealth of experience and local knowledge to the region.

Andrew Thompson, Senior Associate, is a RICS Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer. He has extensive experience working on a variety of utility and land management projects throughout Cumbria and North Lancashire. Andrew’s expertise and dedication ensure that clients receive the highest level of service and support.

Joe Greene, Associate, is a RICS Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer specialising in Utilities and Rural Land Management. Since joining Bell Ingram in 2019, Joe has achieved an MSc in Real Estate, passed his RICS professional examinations and developed a strong client base within the utilities and renewables sectors.

Cameron Dargue, Graduate Land Agent, is a recent addition to the Bell Ingram team. From a farming background, Cameron works across Cumbria, with a focus on supporting clients in the utilities and renewables sectors. He joined Bell Ingram in Summer 2023 and holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Andrew Thompson said: “I’m looking forward to working from this purpose-built office space in Kendal as the location is shared with a number of complimentary service providers and has many opportunities to network. It’s the perfect location for us to continue providing excellent service to our clients across the region. The new office will allow us to work more efficiently and collaboratively, which is a huge plus for our team and our clients.”

Neal Salomon, Head of Utilities at Bell Ingram, continued: “We are delighted to expand our presence in Kendal and enhance our services in this vibrant region. With the opening of our new office, we aim to provide unparalleled expertise and support to our clients, helping them navigate the complexities of land management with confidence.”

The new Kendal office reinforces Bell Ingram’s dedication to serving the rural communities of Cumbria and North Lancashire. The firm’s comprehensive range of services includes estate management, valuation, utilities and renewables consultancy, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

For more information about Bell Ingram and the services offered at the Kendal office, please contact the team on 01539 896 101.

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Press Release Archive News, Rural Land Management Page

Scottish Government opens consultation on Crofting Reform

Scottish Government opens consultation on Crofting Reform

Crofting has a high historical and cultural importance to the Highland and Islands communities. Unique to Scotland, the land tenure promotes sustainable land use by local individuals where the land has often been crofted by their families for generations.

According to the Crofting Commission there are approximately 21,500 Crofts recorded. To be a Crofter, the owner or the tenant of the Croft, must ordinarily be resident on, or within 32km of, their croft, they have a duty to cultivate and maintain their croft or put it to another purposeful use and they have a duty not to misuse of neglect their croft.

The main pieces of legislation relating to crofting are the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, as amended by the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Crofting (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2013. Now, the Scottish Government has opened up a consultation on proposals for changes and simplifications to crofting law. They are seeking views on proposals on:

Entry to crofting

Crofting communities

Use of Common Grazings

Strengthening residency and land use

Enhance Crofting Commission powers

Simplifying crofting

The government wish to build on previous reforms to help more people to become crofters and improve support for existing crofters, enable more and different activities to take place on common grazings such as projects that are in line with environmental initiatives, streamline the process for breaches of crofters duties and to resolve crofting regulatory issues more quickly.

At present, only one crofter can be registered to a croft and any assignation of a crofting tenancy can only be to one person. One of the proposals considers being able to create a joint crofting tenancy which would allow two people to be registered to a single croft. This is to be inline with other forms of tenancies available in the country such as the residential PRT agreements.

Senior Surveyor at Bell Ingram, Hamish Hope comments: “The thought behind this is to allow crofters to use more resources from each party and in situations where an older crofter wishes to pass their tenancy to another family member but still wishes to remain as a tenant. The risk here is that a crofting tenancy is a heritable tenancy and if there were joint tenants, there could be a conflict on the future of the croft which would add complications to an already complicated land tenure. The consultation paper discusses this further.”

Another proposal is in relation to Common Grazings, which are areas of land where multiple crofters have a right to graze the land known as a share. Common Grazings account for approximately 550,000 hectares of land in the country.

Hamish continues: “Common Grazings are being used less and less with livestock numbers on crofts declining. The government proposes to remove barriers that will allow crofters to use common grazing land for other purposes such as woodland creation, biodiversity enhancement and peatland restoration. This could bring more income to the related crofting community and built stronger relationships. To do this, the roles of Grazing Committees need to be more simple and clear and Crofters need to be encouraged to actively use their shares.”

To read the full Crofting Consultation Report which covers all aspects of the proposals, please click here. For all information regarding Crofting, please visit the Crofting Commission here.

If you wish to discuss crofting with one of our land agents, please contact Bell Ingram here.

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Farm & Estate Sales Page, Press Release Archive News

Bell Ingram brings two productive farming units to market just north of Perth

Bell Ingram brings two productive farming units to market just north of Perth

Bell Ingram is delighted to announce the release of two highly productive farming units for sale, strategically positioned just north of Perth with easy access to the A9.

Extending to approximately 91.38 hectares (225 acres), these properties are available as a whole for offers over £2,575,000 or can be purchased in three separate lots.

The farms feature a combination of predominantly Grade 3(1) land, with certain areas classified as Grade 2. The land benefits from modern agricultural infrastructure, including steel agricultural sheds constructed in 2008, 2010, and 2014, and a traditional four-bedroom farmhouse.

Property Highlights:

  • Lot 1: North Barns Farm – This lot includes the main farming unit, featuring three sizable steel agricultural sheds and a mix of Grade 2 and 3(1) land.
  • Lot 2: Coltrannie Farm – Also featuring predominantly Grade 3(1) land with easy access provided by the newly constructed Coltrannie road bridge over the A9.
  • Lot 3: North Barns Farmhouse – A traditional stone-built property with two public rooms, four bedrooms (three en suite), garden ground, and an adjacent paddock extending to about 1.08 hectares (2.67 acres).

The local area is well-served by a variety of agricultural contractors, merchants, and suppliers, with additional farming resources available through a successful local machinery ring. Regular livestock sales are conducted at the Stirling Agricultural Centre, enhancing the convenience for potential buyers.

Commenting on the property, Estate Agent Carl Warden said: “These two productive farming units, with the benefit of agricultural buildings and a traditional farmhouse, represent a rare and valuable opportunity for agricultural investors and farmers alike. Their prime location, combined with high-quality land and modern facilities, make them an exceptional offering in today’s market.”

For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Carl Warden at 01738 621 121 or via email at carl.warden@bellingram.co.uk.

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Press Release Archive News

Congratulations to Our New Senior Land Agents

Congratulations to our new Senior Land Agents

We are pleased to announce the well-deserved promotions of Anastasia Young, Hamish Hope, and Henry Jamieson to the position of Senior Land Agent. Their dedication, expertise, and hard work have significantly contributed to our company’s success, and we are confident they will excel in their new roles.

Ana Young joined Bell Ingram in Spring 2023 and has quickly become an integral part of the Beauly team. As a RICS Chartered Surveyor, she brings her extensive knowledge and passion for rural estate management to our Highlands operations. She specialises in managing traditional sporting estates and exploring diversification opportunities. Ana holds a BA (Hons) in Rural Business Management from SRUC, and her fresh perspectives and innovative approaches have already made a positive impact on our projects.

Hamish Hope is a professional with a wealth of experience as a RICS Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer. Based in Beauly, Hamish has a strong focus on rural estate management throughout the Highlands, handling everything from traditional sporting estates to diversified land uses. He is a graduate of Edinburgh Napier University, where he earned his MSc in Real Estate Management and Investment. Hamish’s comprehensive understanding of the local landscape and his commitment to excellence have been invaluable to our team.

Henry Jamieson has been a cornerstone of our Ayr office, working across the utilities sector. His extensive experience as a Land Agent is complemented by his role in business development, helping to expand our reach and capabilities. Henry’s career began at his family firm, John Marshall & Sons, where he served as Contracts Manager for 18 years. His practical experience and strategic insight have greatly benefitted our clients and projects.

Rob Whitson, Head of Land Management, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Ana and Hamish on their well-earned promotions. Their dedication and innovative approaches to rural estate management have been instrumental in our success. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and contributions in their new roles as Senior Land Agents.”

Geoff Brown, Head of Utilities (Scotland) added: “Henry’s promotion to Senior Land Agent is a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. His contributions to our utilities projects have been outstanding, and I am confident he will continue to drive success and innovation in his promoted post.”

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Press Release Archive News

Bell Ingram announces latest round of Senior Associate and Associate promotions

Bell Ingram announces latest round of Senior Associate and Associate promotions

Bell Ingram LLP, one of the UK’s leading independent land and property experts, is delighted to announce the promotion of several key members of staff. Effective from 1st June 2024, the following professionals have been elevated in recognition of their exceptional contributions and dedication to the firm.

Promoted to Senior Associate:

Borzo Taheri MRICS (Northwich): A RICS chartered surveyor, Borzo has been instrumental in managing rural land for clients in the utilities and renewables sector. Since joining Bell Ingram in 2017, he has leveraged his MSc in Rural Estate and Land Management from Harper Adams University to drive success across Northern England.

Gregor Dalziell (Ayr): With a BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Environmental Management, Gregor has significantly impacted the utilities sector. He brought his expertise from the Registers of Scotland to Bell Ingram in 2019.

Johan McKenzie (Perth): As head of the client accounting department, Johan manages the financial affairs of diverse private and commercial clients. Her qualification as an accountant and her extensive experience ensure meticulous financial management.

Waldo Serfontein (Morpeth): Waldo’s background in farming, geology, and the Armed Forces enriches his role in land agency services. Since joining in 2022, he has specialised in land acquisition, access rights, and compensation within the utilities sector.

Martin Watson (Ayr): Currently managing a major refurbishment project for a utility client, Martin’s 15+ years of experience in the electricity and water industries have been invaluable to Bell Ingram since his secondment.

Promoted to Associate:

Bill Crank MRICS (Northwich): Bill’s extensive work in estate and property management, focusing on utilities and agriculture, underscores his value to the Northern England region.

Dermot Meehan (Northwich): Dermot manages complex utility projects, ensuring smooth operations and compliance with various statutory consents.

Douglas Ogilvie (Perth): With decades of experience in strategic farm management consultancy, Douglas joined Bell Ingram in 2023 and has made substantial contributions to farming consultancy across Scotland.

Joe Greene MRICS (Kendal): A local to Cumbria and qualified chartered surveyor, Joe has excelled in rural land management for utilities and renewables clients since 2019.

John Kennedy MRICS (Forfar): Specialising in rural estate and farm management, John’s expertise is rooted in his academic background and professional experience since joining in 2021.

Lauren Livingston (Forfar): An accomplished Architectural Technologist, Lauren has been a vital part of Bell Ingram Design since 2017, providing exceptional support on projects nationwide.

Mark Mitchell, Managing Partner at Bell Ingram LLP, stated: “These promotions reflect our commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent within our firm. Each individual has demonstrated outstanding professional expertise and dedication to their clients. We are excited to see how they will continue to drive Bell Ingram’s success in the future.”

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Press Release Archive News

Beautifully designed modern home with period features

Beautifully designed modern-day home with period features

A substantial and beautifully presented country house has come to the rural Perthshire property market.

Enjoying a peaceful location in the rural hamlet of Moneydie, rural property experts Bell Ingram is delighted to bring Newhouse to the market for offers over £850,000.

The small hamlet of Moneydie is an idyllic, rural location, but as the A9 is just under three miles away, it is also easy to reach the amenities of nearby Perth.

The Newhouse is a delightful property which presents extremely well. It was traditionally constructed in 1998 to include many features you would expect to find in a period house, making it blend well with the surrounding properties.

Real attention to detail is evident in the large public rooms and bedrooms, high ceilings, fireplaces, cornicing, and the pitch pine staircase with mid landing and feature window. 

In addition to the good balance of living accommodation, there is a large utility room with a separate laundry room and pantry. Externally there is a game larder/kennel, a double garage with cart arch openings and a hayloft, all reminiscent of older properties. 

A tree-lined driveway is enclosed by wrought iron gates. The boundaries are clearly marked with a mix of stone walling and hedging. The grounds, which extend to about 0.73 acres, are extensively laid to lawn with features such as box hedging and mature planting providing colour and variety, specimen trees and magnolia bushes. Gravel driveway leads to a courtyard parking area and then to the sheltered southwest part of the garden.

Commenting on the property, Estate Agent, Carl Warden says: “This is a beautiful family home. It has an excellent balance of accommodation and has well thought out features reminiscent of a period property – perfect for modern day living.”

The traditionally constructed double garage, extending to 53.6 m2, has two cart arch openings with timber doors and a side door and window. Internal staircase leads to a floored hayloft with hayloft doors on the gable end and south facing Velux windows. This upper floor, extending to 40.9 m2, could provide opportunity for development as a studio or granny/au pair accommodation, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing contact Carl Warden on 01738 621 121 or email carl.warden@bellingram.co.uk 

 

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Press Release Archive News

Changes in Scotland’s Private Rented Sector

Changes in Scotland’s Private Rented Sector

Since September 2022, there have been regulations in place to control rent increases and safeguard against evictions for privately let residential properties, established under the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022. However, effective April 1st, 2024, these restrictions, including the 3% rent increase cap, will be lifted.

To mitigate the risk of significant rent hikes, pending parliamentary approval, the process for rent adjudication will be temporarily adjusted for one year, starting April 1st, 2024. This adjustment aims to provide a fair approach to resolving rent disputes during this transitional period.

Here’s what landlords need to know about rent reviews in April:

Private residential tenants can dispute a rent increase, with disputes reviewed by Rent Service Scotland or the First-tier Tribunal.

Rent will be determined based on the lowest of three figures: the open market rate, the rent requested by the landlord, and a comparator based on the difference between the market rate and the current rate.

Proposed regulations necessitate the use of a rent taper formula if a tenant applies for rent adjudication:

  • If the rent increase is 6% or less than the market rent, the landlord can increase the rent by the proposed amount.

  • If the gap between the market rent and the current rent exceeds 6%, the landlord can increase it by 6% plus 0.33% for each percent that the gap exceeds 6%. The total rent increase cannot exceed 12%.

Read the Rent Adjudication (Temporary Modifications)(Scotland) Regulations 2024 here..

As demand for rented property rises, many privately let properties with existing tenants now have below-market rent due to the 3% cap in place since 2022. This is likely to lead to widespread rent increases across the country, although the full impact on the market remains to be seen.

Before these restrictions are lifted, further changes are set to take effect on March 1st, 2024, with new measures being added to the Repairing Standard, which applies to all privately let residential properties and Short Term Lets. These include:

  • Safe Kitchens

  • Fixed Heating System

  • Safe Access to Common Parts

  • Consent to Work on Common Parts

  • Safe and Secure Common Doors

  • Residual Current Devices

  • Properties must be free of lead pipes, or a water quality test must be carried out.

  • Other fuels, such as oil installations, must meet the same repair standards as gas and electricity installations.

For full information regarding the changes to the Repairing Standard, click here. While many properties will already meet these additional requirements, there is a risk, primarily to older tenancies, that may not meet the new requirements, necessitating additional works.

For further discussions on how these changes affect your property, please contact our professional letting agents at Bell Ingram.

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