Bell Ingram recognised as Carer Positive employer

Bell Ingram is delighted to announce it has been recognised as a Carer Positive organisation by Carers Scotland.

The Carer Positive award is presented to employers in Scotland who have a working environment where carers are valued and supported. Carer Positive employers recognise the importance of supporting carers in their workforce through flexible working policies or with simple, practical measures which can make a big difference.  This helps with retaining experienced members of staff, reducing absence, and cutting down on avoidable recruitment costs.

HR Manager, Kirsty Watson said: “People are at the heart of Bell Ingram and as an employer we are committed to supporting our team in all aspects of their lives.  We have several carers already in the organisation who benefit from our supportive working environment. We look forward to working with Carers Scotland on how we can further improve life at Bell Ingram for our employees with caring responsibilities.”

 

Our people

Kirsty Watson

Kirsty Watson

Associate
HR Manager
Tel: 01292 886 544

About: Kirsty is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development and has over 20 years' experience providing a general HR function including recruitment, absence management, training and development and policy writing. Interests: Employee wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Get in touch

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

    OnFARM Podcast: Braemar Castle Community Restoration Project

    In our second episode with OnFARM at Braemar Castle we hear from our Bell Ingram volunteers who spent a day on the hill at Invercauld Estate harvesting heather to be thatched on the castle’s fog house roof. 
     
    We also hear from Brian Wilson who is one of the very few people still plying the trade of heather thatching.

    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.

    Get in touch

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      One of the most historic properties on Barra, as pictured in the 1949 film Whisky Galore!, hits the market

      Bell Ingram is delighted to bring Carnach House to the market for offers over £150,000. 

      Located in the village of Castlebay on the Isle of Barra, which makes up for it small island size with beauty, character and a sense of community. The property is only a two-minute walk from the harbour and the terminal for the ferry to Oban, and there are direct flights from Glasgow which uniquely take off and land on the beach.

      In 1949, the Isle of Barra was the setting for the filming of Compton MacKenzie’s book Whisky Galore, and Carnach House can be seen in the film.

      The ground floor of Carnach House, previously the Old Post Office, has been sensitively renovated retaining the original post office counter and phone box. It remains a large open space offering a range of development possibilities to the new owner, as music/arts venue, commercial enterprise, or extension of the living space (subject to the necessary consents).

      On the upper floor is a delightful two-bedroom apartment with kitchen, sitting room and bathroom. The property is in beautiful decorative order throughout.

      The private garden area to the rear is bounded by a stone dyke on two sides, and on the third by the original stone Barra School building, which is included in the property sale. It is now derelict but with the original floor-to-ceiling fireplace remaining in one corner – the children were apparently asked to bring a peat turf for the fire every morning as their tuition fee. This building also offers exciting restoration/development potential (subject to the necessary consents).

      Commenting on the property, Estate Agent, Joanne Stennett, says: “What a lovely bit of history is attached to Carnach House, and with the scope of development, it offers huge possibilities.”

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

      Our people

      Joanne Stennett

      Joanne Stennett

      Associate
      Estate Agency
      Tel: 01463 717 799

      About: Joanne heads up the Estate Agency team in our Beauly office and is focused on ensuring her clients have a positive experience when they list their property with Bell Ingram. From country houses to farms and estates, she has been marketing prime residential property in the Highlands and Islands for over 17 years. Joanne is well known in the local area, having developed excellent relationships with buyers and sellers. 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

        Meet the Land Agent

        If you have a passion for travel and the countryside then life as a Bell Ingram Land Agent could be for you. We find out more about what the job entails, and routes into the profession from our Ambleside based Senior Associate, Andrew Thompson.

        What is your background?

        I am not from a farming background and my interest in surveying started back in the 90s doing work experience for a firm of land agents on Speyside. From those early experiences I realised that surveying could offer an opportunity to travel, learn about the built environment, the social/economic history of a people and a place. I preferred the opportunity as I saw it then, to be outside rather than being sat behind a desk.

        What qualifications did you need to become a Land Agent?

        I spent some time at the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester but moved into private practice in Oxfordshire and then Dorset before finishing because working appealed more than studying at the time.

        Through the experience route (five years of working) I enrolled and passed the Post Graduate Diploma in Surveying from the College of Estate Management in Reading while working full time in Leicestershire. This qualification then enabled me to do the APC (Rural) through the RICS, which I passed first time, whilst working in Inverness.

        What’s been your career path?

        I spent nearly four years in Dorset working on a traditional 12,500-acre estate which had six miles of world heritage coastline, a castle, holiday caravan park, plus a portfolio of farms, cottages and commercial interests. I then spend a short spell in London on the more commercial side of surveying but although well renumerated it wasn’t for me.

        From there, I moved up to Leicestershire for three years undertaking a range of duties and tasks; then to Scotland and spent five years in Inverness working for one of our competitors. Much of that time was spent working for Crown Estate’s marine portfolio at a time where there was a lot of investment in community assets making local fish and shellfish business more sustainable, whilst encouraging tourism; early days of windfarms; the decommissioning redundant North Sea oil and gas assets. I was also involved in some of Scottish Water’s refurbishment projects. My work took me all over Scotland and I was a frequent visitor to Orkney and Shetland.

        After that I worked for the National Trust in the Lake District (a National Park and what became a World Heritage Site) for a further five years before returning to private practice at Bell Ingram. My time with the NT was more akin to where I had first started out in the surveying profession down in Dorset where there was a large portfolio of farms and cottages to manage on a day-to-day basis but with a significant emphasis on the environment, the culture, the intrinsic historical context of Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth, Coleridge etc and a big interface with the general public.

        What’s the biggest misconception of the job?

        If you are considering a career as a Land Agent or Chartered Surveyor, you might not realise that companies like Bell Ingram tender for much of our work through framework contracts with the major utility companies. This kind of work – acquisition and disposals, compensation and claims, compulsory purchase and land referencing – is very different from traditional estate management or forestry but can be extremely rewarding seeing a massive infrastructure project through from start to finish.

        My current role, for example, has been focused on a major water project insuring and providing water to the whole of West Cumbria over the past six years, sat alongside other utility and other private client work.

        What do you enjoy about the job?

        The scope for variety in the context of ‘surveying’ or ‘rural land management’ or alternatively the ability to specialise and be an expert in a specific discipline. One can be progressive and engaging, giving guidance and opinion on how best to manage land and safeguard it as an asset for future generations and as part of that it’s the travelling and the experiences generated in meeting new people that appeals to me. Working in different parts of the country, experiencing different challenges, putting context to them and sympathetically securing a solution for the client. Just because something works once, it doesn’t mean it’ll work elsewhere.

        In my current role working on infrastructure projects, though not often acknowledged per sae – I enjoy the problem-solving element of the job, resolving complex issues to the satisfaction of both client and the landowner is often rewarding.

        What’s your advice to those thinking of entering the profession?

        The traditional route of university degree and masters followed by your APC and CAAV professional qualifications is not the only route into the rural land management sector. For private practices like Bell Ingram, this pathway is still considered the “gold standard”, but there are different expectations within the utility sector with more “on the job” training and development available to those who prefer a non-academic route or for those who wish to transition into the profession. As an example of this I came across was GP doctor who had a personal interest/hobby in rural sports and decided to take up a position whilst maintaining his GP hours.

        Bell Ingram is hiring Land Agents across our business and locations. Find out more about the positions available and life at Bell Ingram at bellingram.co.uk/Work-with-us.

        Our people

        Andrew Thompson

        Andrew Thompson

        Senior Associate
        Utilities & Renewables Rural Land Management
        Tel: 01539 896 101

        About: Andrew is a qualified Rural Chartered Surveyor and RICS 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. Interests: Utilities, Private Estate Management, Rural Land Management, MRICS Registered Valuer

        Get in touch

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

          OnFARM Podcast: Braemar Castle Community Restoration Project

          Braemar Castle in Royal Deeside has been under scaffolding for many months – as it is being lovingly restored by a team led by the local community, with architecture support from specialists at Bell Ingram. In this episode – the first of two recorded at Braemar Castle – Monty meets vice chair of Braemar Community Ltd. Doreen Wood, director of stonemasonry at Harper and Allen masonry Steven Harper, and Iain Cram, senior architect and partner at Bell Ingram.

           

          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.

          Get in touch

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

            Bell Ingram join multi-disciplinary team on Crown Estate Scotland transactions framework

            Bell Ingram has been appointed to the Crown Estate Scotland’s Built Development, Coastal and Land Transactions Professional Services as part of a consortium of consultancies.

            Led by Turner & Townsend the three-year framework aims to support Crown Estate Scotland’s Development, Investment and Divestment strategy as it works to enhance communities and boost local businesses and economies.

            As part of this expert team, Bell Ingram will provide rural surveying services for projects and capital work programmes over £150,000 and major sales, and purchase of property, land and assets across the Crown Estate Portfolio with a capital value over £350,000. Bell Ingram’s work will include rural valuations, claims and acquisitions and disposals of rural property.

            Joining the consultancy team alongside Bell Ingram are commercial property experts CBRE and ICENI and Blackhall & Powis, who will be advising on offshore and renewable planning matters.

            Commenting on the tender win, Aberdeen Partner, James Petty says: “We look forward to working with this multi-disciplinary team to deliver rural surveying services for the Crown Estate Scotland portfolio. Our experience in rural land management and our coverage across Scotland means we are well placed to play such a key role in the delivering this framework.”

            Oster Milambo, Director of Property, Crown Estate Scotland, comments: “This framework is crucially important to Crown Estate Scotland’s work in the coming year. We look forward to working with Turner and Townsend and the wider multi-disciplinary consultancy team to deliver it successfully to help create great places and lasting value for the people of Scotland.”

            For more information on our Rural Land Management services visit: bellingram.co.uk/land-management/rural-land-management/

            Our people

            James Petty

            James Petty

            Partner, MRICS
            Rural Land Management
            Tel: 01224 621 300

            About: James is the Partner in charge of Bell Ingram's Aberdeen office and is an experienced rural surveyor dealing with all types of valuations, utilities and pipelines, rural land management, estate agency, and has experience of compulsory purchase work including the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. He is an MRICS Registered Valuer and has provided Red Book valuations for a range of property types including mixed estates to traditional owner-occupied farms, residential, access rights and development plots. James has experience of day-to-day management of low ground estate properties including let farms, seasonal land lets and residential property letting. James has also worked with major utility companies on their onshore and offshore wind farm operations and provided land agency services to clients such as Siemens, SSE and SGN. Interests: MRICS Registered Valuer, Agent and Valuer for the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Pipelines & Utilities, Rural Land Management, Valuations, Estate Agency.

            Get in touch

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

              Meet the Land Agent

              Life as a Bell Ingram Land Agent is hugely varied and no two days are the same. We find out more about what the job entails, and routes into the profession from our Perth based Assistant Land Agent, Louise Finnie.

              What is your background?

              I come from a rural background, my family own a small beef farm alongside a residential and commercial property letting business. From a young age I had ponies and spent my time at my local pony club, making lifelong friends and enjoying all the activities that go along with that. When I changed school, extra-curricular activities meant that I no longer had the time required to continue with this but hope to return to the horse world in the future. Around this time, I also joined Young Farmers and continue to enjoy all the fun and friendship of the wider Association. I am currently Secretary of my club, East Fife, and on the committee for the Fife and Kinross District.

              What qualifications did you need to become a Land Agent?

              I hold a BA (Hons) degree in Rural Business Management awarded by Glasgow University in conjunction with SRUC.

              Why did you decide to go into surveying?

              I wanted a degree that would encompass both agriculture and property in order to build and expand my knowledge in both areas. Knowing this would give me a mix of both field and office-based work appealed greatly, while at the same time the great variety of work involved would mean that no two days would be the same. Being supported by a team with a diverse pool of knowledge such as is available within Bell Ingram was an important factor when looking for a graduate position.

              Did you always want to do rural work?

              Yes, finding something that fitted with my rural interests was important. I think if you do something you enjoy, then it no longer feels like work. I do not believe I could derive so much enjoyment from any other area of employment.

              When are you hoping to pass your APC?

              On completion of my four-year degree course, I have gone on to study for a further two years in order to complete my APC. Part of achieving this is the requirement to keep a two-year diary, logging in detail all my competencies. During the summer, I have to submit my chosen case study. In the autumn following that submission, I will be invited to an interview where I will carry out a presentation on my case study to the board of examiners who in turn will ask questions on both my case study and my competencies. I feel I am prepared and hope to achieve gaining my APC this autumn.

              What do you enjoy about the job?

              I particularly enjoy meeting with and speaking to clients which brings with it a perfect balance between field and office work. Rural surveying covers a vast range of topics so having two years to trial most of the areas is a great way to rule out, or in, which areas suit you best. Although I have covered a variety of different areas, so far, on completion of my APC I feel I would like to specialise in Valuation.

              However, due to the changes taking place in the world, Renewables is an area I have not covered extensively but may investigate in the future. Next year I hope to continue my studies and work towards my CAAV exams, knowing once again I can depend on and will be ably assisted by the Bell Ingram team. Being made feel like a valued member of, and being extensively supported by, the Bell Ingram ‘family’ throughout every aspect of my training has undoubtedly given me a strong foundation and broadened my skill set, ideally setting me up for the future.

              Bell Ingram is hiring Land Agents across our business and locations. Find out more about the positions available and life at Bell Ingram at bellingram.co.uk/Work-with-us.

              Our people

              Louise Finnie

              Louise Finnie

              Graduate Surveyor
              Rural Land Management
              Tel: 01738 621 121

              About: Louise is a graduate rural surveyor working across Scotland specialising in rural estate and farm management, valuations and lettings. Louise joined the Bell Ingram Perth office in 2021 and is a graduate of SRUC Aberdeen with an Honours Degree in Rural Business Management. She is working towards her APC and CAAV exams. Interests: Rural Land Management, Valuations.

              Get in touch

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

                Bell Ingram welcomes nationwide ‘Flock to the Show’ campaign

                Rural property and business specialists, Bell Ingram, is taking part in a large public art trail celebrating Scotland’s farming community ahead of the Royal Highland Show this Summer.

                Flock to the Show is a nationwide event featuring 39 painted sheep that will tour the country from the Highlands to the Borders to promote the return of the Golden Shears Competition to this year’s Highland Show.

                Golden Shears 2023 will see the best shearers and wool handlers from over 30 different countries descend on the Royal Highland Show to compete to be the World Champion. This is one of the biggest events in the shearing calendar and will be a tightly fought spectacular.

                As well as promoting the Show, each sheep raises awareness of a particular issue affecting the Scottish farming industry. Bell Ingram is sponsoring Rainbow, a beautifully designed multicoloured blackface sheep by artist Emma McKie. Rainbow’s unique design is made up of painted balls of wool highlighting the hardship faced by sheep farmers selling their wool at plummeting prices.

                Bell Ingram, which has headquarters on Isla Road in Perth will be taking part in the event and will be hosting Rainbow during the Tayside section of the trail between April 18th – 28th and would encourage members of the public to come and get their picture taken with the beautiful sculpture.

                Emma describes the inspiration behind Rainbow: “Historically sheep were always prized for their fleece. Since the Stone Age, wool has been on of the most effective forms of all-weather protection known to mankind. It breathes, isolates, keeps off moisture and is temperature regulating and self-cleaning. Unfortunately, in the last few decades, the mass production of synthetic fibres and fast fashion has caused the demand for natural wool to plummet. Most farmers now face the hardship of paying more to have the fleece sheared than they make selling it. So my design it to celebrate where real wool comes from.” 

                Bell Ingram’s Managing Partner, Mark Mitchell says: “We are excited to welcome Emma McKie’s Rainbow to the Bell Ingram office in Perth. Supporting the Scottish farming community is integral to Bell Ingram’s Rural Land Management work and, as avid supporters of the Highland Show we are delighted to get involved in their latest campaign.

                “Everyone is welcome to visit Rainbow during her stay here at our office overlooking the Tay. We look forward to throwing open our doors to the public and seeing all the social media activity promoting this great cause.”

                Bell Ingram’s office is located at Durn, Isla Road, Perth, PH2 7HF.

                Our people

                Mark Mitchell

                Mark Mitchell

                Managing Partner, FRICS
                Rural Land Management
                Tel: 01738 646 584

                About: Mark is responsible for the strategic direction and overall performance of the firm. He specialises in all aspects of Estate and Facilities Management for private, corporate and public sector clients. He is experienced in the acquisition, disposal and management of estates and farms, rental negotiation and management of residential property. Interests: Estate Agency, Private Estate Management, Rural Land Management, FRICS Registered Valuer.

                Get in touch

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

                  Raising awareness of jobs in the rural sector

                  Like most of the rural sector, rural land management and in particular rural surveying is experiencing a serious skills shortage.

                  As one of the UK’s leading firms of rural business specialists, Bell Ingram knows the issue all too well and is taking steps to promote the fantastic work on offer within the sector.

                  With five offices across Scotland the firm employs 30 professional staff involved in rural land management, forestry, renewables, utilities, valuations, and AMC work. For many the hugely varied role of a Land Agent is one of the main attractions to the job as it allows for a real mixture of experiences as well as office and on site working.

                  To help address the skills shortage Bell Ingram has developed strong connections with SRUC and regularly welcomes students from the Rural Business Management course on site for practical valuation experience.

                  A key piece of the puzzle, however, is promoting the sector to those who don’t know the work exists. To help, Bell Ingram has partnered with Countryside Learning Scotland, a charitable organisation founded to help promote rural jobs to all young people across the country, not just those from rural communities.

                  As part of this project a panel of young people from a cross section of the population were tasked with producing a video about rural work, interviewing those in the sector about their career pathway, which premiered at the Highland Show last year.

                  This year the firm is producing social media campaigns promoting the careers available within the sector and profiling the varied work and backgrounds of those in the business.   

                  Head of Rural Land Management at Bell Ingram, Rob Whitson, said: “At Bell Ingram we have a robust training programme in place that has successfully guided trainee Land Agents through their APC exams to become Chartered Rural Surveyors.

                  “But as an industry we must do better at promoting the brilliant work on offer within rural surveying. Whether that is developing stronger relationships with schools and universities or supporting national projects such as Countryside Learning Scotland, it is imperative we have the people with the right skills available to carry out the vital work we do to keep the rural economy thriving.” 

                  Bell Ingram is recruiting for a variety of positions across Scotland including Senior Chartered Surveyor in Beauly, Land Agent in Perth & Ayr, Forester in Aberdeen & Perth. For more information visit bellingram.co.uk/work-with-us/vacancies

                  Our people

                  Rob Whitson

                  Rob Whitson

                  Partner, MRICS
                  Rural Land Management
                  Tel: 01463 717 799

                  About: Rob is Bell Ingram’s partner in charge of the Beauly office. He specialises in the management of rural properties for a range of private clients across the Highlands. This has included a number of significant and high profile sporting estates. For Land Management clients, Rob has worked on the negotiation of purchase/sale, servitude rights and renewable energy developments. He provides specialist management advice over a wide range of sporting estates particularly in relation to red deer stalking and salmon fisheries. Rob has enjoyed a long involvement with a number of district salmon fishery boards across the Highlands, and is a trustee of the Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust. He is Chair of the Highland Region for Scottish Land & Estates and also leads on valuations of commercial and rural property throughout Scotland in accordance with the RICS appraisal and valuation standards. Interests: Private Estate Management, Rural Land Management, Sporting Management, Valuations.

                  Get in touch

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

                    Optimism Returns to Farm Sales Market

                    Our Head of Farm Sales, Malcolm Taylor looks at the current landscape and the opportunities to be had in this year’s farm sales market.

                    Snapshot of the market

                    As we look forward to the 2023 farm sales market it seems only right to take time to reflect on the year that has gone. We all remember the highs of the spring and early months of 2022, which seen interest from new buyers looking for forestry and natural capital opportunities pushing land way beyond traditional values and some exceptional outcomes for our clients.

                    In 2023 the landscape looks different again. Stock levels remain low as rising interest rates, and the cost of money from the lending institutions increasing both act as deterrents. But there is no shortage of individuals looking to purchase good quality farmland.

                    Following the disastrous minibudget, we are starting to see confidence from investors return, particularly from down south. This is fuelled by growing awareness around how precious land is as a resource, be it for food production, natural capital solutions, renewable energy sources and the contribution to the wellbeing economy. 

                    An increase in the cost of inputs continues to impact the viability of some farming businesses and with a lack of any detail around Government grant schemes both sides of the border, it is inevitable that more farms will come to the market in 2023.  

                    What can you expect for your farmland?

                    Average arable land and the best pasture-land values have been relatively steady but there is still limited supply and continuing demand, especially where neighbours have the chance to buy. Private transactions remain popular particularly where speed and privacy are key, or if there’s likely to be a limited market.

                    The value of grazing and hill land, which has been fuelled by unprecedented demand from investors looking for commercial tree planting is perhaps steadying a little but is further bolstered by interest in natural capital, including peatland restoration and rewilding projects, although values are very site specific making it difficult to apply averages.

                    Price Per Acre

                    Best Arable £8,000 – £15,000

                    Commercial planting £5,000 – £8,000

                    If you are thinking of putting your farmland on the market, our Head of Farm Sales, Malcolm Taylor will be pleased to discuss your requirement. Email malcol.taylor@bellingram.co.uk or call 01307 462516.

                    Our people

                    Malcolm Taylor

                    Malcolm Taylor

                    Senior Partner, FRICS ACIArb
                    Rural Land Management
                    Tel: 01307 462 516

                    About: Malcolm is Bell Ingram's Senior Partner and heads up the company's Forfar office, where he specialises in farm and estate management, including the provision of agricultural rental advice and acting as an expert witness. He is the immediate past chairman of the RICS in Scotland and remains actively involved with the Institution. Malcolm is also head of Lettings within Bell Ingram. Interests: AMC Agent, Corporate Estate Management, Rural Land Management, SRDP Applications, FRICS Registered Valuer.

                    Get in touch

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

                      Bell Ingram Support Farming Podcast Showcasing Scotland’s Rural Communities

                      Rural property and business specialists, Bell Ingram has signed up to support the OnFARM podcast on a one-year sponsorship deal.

                      Launched in January 2020, OnFARM showcases enterprise, community, creativity, charity and history of rural Scotland.

                      The podcast gives rural areas a stronger voice and a new platform from which to share their wonderful and inspiring stories. As the weeks, months and years go on, OnFARM will be speaking with individuals, businesses and organisations, telling their story and raising the profile of rural Scotland and the people, ingenuity and businesses which make it so special.

                      As part of the sponsorship, listeners will have the chance to hear from Bell Ingram’s rural land management experts and the exciting projects they are working on across the country.

                      Rob Whitson, Head of Rural Land Management at Bell Ingram says: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with OnFARM. With our roots in rural estate management, we mange some of UK’s finest agricultural and sporting estates and currently oversee hundreds of thousands of hectares of private and corporate estates across the UK.

                      “Supporting the Scottish farming community is integral to Bell Ingram’s Rural Land Management work and, with many of our team members from agricultural backgrounds, our partnership with OnFARM only further cements this close relationship.

                      “We look forward to hearing the fascinating stories from guests on the podcast throughout the year and getting involved in important discussions on the topics of the day with Monty and the OnFARM team.”

                      OnFARM Presenter, Ross Montague (Monty) added: “We are delighted, and grateful to welcome Bell Ingram on board as a sponsor of OnFARM. Their sponsorship will give us the resource to support rural charities, events and other rural voices who may otherwise struggle to have their story heard.

                      “We are also hugely grateful to law firm, Gillespie Macandrew for agreeing a renewal of their sponsorship with OnFARM and auctioneers, Lawrie & Symington, for coming on board too.

                      “This is an exciting time for OnFARM, our listener numbers continue to grow and we are performing in the top 2% of global podcasts as monitored by the respected benchmarking platform, Listen Notes.”

                      Recent episodes of the OnFARM podcast have covered subjects as varied as an interview with farmer and best-selling crime fiction author, James Oswald, to a look at the history and excitement of horse racing in the Scottish Borders.

                      The OnFARM podcast can be found via Google or on most podcast hosting apps.

                      Our people

                      Rob Whitson

                      Rob Whitson

                      Partner, MRICS
                      Rural Land Management
                      Tel: 01463 717 799

                      About: Rob is Bell Ingram’s partner in charge of the Beauly office. He specialises in the management of rural properties for a range of private clients across the Highlands. This has included a number of significant and high profile sporting estates. For Land Management clients, Rob has worked on the negotiation of purchase/sale, servitude rights and renewable energy developments. He provides specialist management advice over a wide range of sporting estates particularly in relation to red deer stalking and salmon fisheries. Rob has enjoyed a long involvement with a number of district salmon fishery boards across the Highlands, and is a trustee of the Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust. He is Chair of the Highland Region for Scottish Land & Estates and also leads on valuations of commercial and rural property throughout Scotland in accordance with the RICS appraisal and valuation standards. Interests: Private Estate Management, Rural Land Management, Sporting Management, Valuations.

                      Get in touch

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

                        Cautious positivity defines the Highland residential market

                        Now that the dust has settled on the turbulent conditions we’ve seen in recent years, the Highland residential market appears to be transitioning towards a more normal level of activity in what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for sellers.

                        Joanne Stennett, who leads the Bell Ingram’s agency team in Beauly, says: “Last year was a successful one for the Highland team with 92% of the 52 properties we sold achieving the asking price or more.

                        “Although the fluctuating mortgage rates and the cost-of-living crisis will inevitably impact 2023’s market conditions, we are seeing plenty of requests for market appraisals, at a level similar to the same period in 2019’s more normal market.

                        “There is definitely a feeling of cautious positivity, and it appears that buyers have more confidence and more choice albeit with revised budgets to accommodate higher mortgage rates.

                        “Pricing, particularly at the upper end of the market, is definitely looking more realistic which would suggest that sellers are heeding their agents’ advice that over-priced property is not attracting interest in this under-supplied market.”

                        New instructions in the traditionally popular Highland villages are still generating a lot of interest.

                        Joanne adds: “Getting your presentation and marketing right is hugely important if you want your property to stand out. Once you have made the decision to sell with Bell Ingram, we will arrange for one of our professional photographers to showcase your property at its best. As well as producing a high quality brochure we offer a  number of online platforms to allow your property to be viewed by the right buyers.

                        “With a wealth of experience in the local residential market, speak to me, or any member of the agency team at Bell Ingram for professional advice and expert guidance to selling your home.

                        Currently for sale through Bell Ingram Highland are:

                        Borlum House, Thurso, o/o £975,000 – An impressive, extensively refurbished country house dating from circa 1700, together with two recently completed self-catering cottages, excellent equestrian facilities and approximately 78 acres of land.

                        Ceol Na Mara and Bayview, Benbecula, o/o £400,000 – Two-bedroom bungalow together with one-bedroom self-catering cottage set in the most amazing waterside location on the Island of Benbecula.

                        South Boisdale, South Uist, o/o £325,000 – A rare opportunity to create a unique new home in an outstanding prime island location.

                        Ty Cymro, Berneray, o/o £225,000 – B listed one-bedroom black house situated in a conservation area in a waterside location on the island of Berneray with stunning sea views.

                        Lilac Cottage, Struy, Beauly, o/o £225,000 – Four-bedroom detached cottage set in a quiet location in the popular hamlet of Struy.

                        1 Redwood Crescent, Inverness, o/o £400,000 – Spacious five-bedroom detached bungalow situated in the desirable area of Milton of Leys, Inverness.

                        Our people

                        Joanne Stennett

                        Joanne Stennett

                        Associate
                        Estate Agency
                        Tel: 01463 717 799

                        About: Joanne heads up the Estate Agency team in our Beauly office and is focused on ensuring her clients have a positive experience when they list their property with Bell Ingram. From country houses to farms and estates, she has been marketing prime residential property in the Highlands and Islands for over 17 years. Joanne is well known in the local area, having developed excellent relationships with buyers and sellers. Interests: Residential Estate Agency, Rural Property Sales.

                        Get in touch

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