The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Paul and Caroline on April 22, 2014, 05:56:36 pm

Title: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Paul and Caroline on April 22, 2014, 05:56:36 pm
Hi

We are looking to buy a residential smallholding in Scotland and have found a few sources however we are sure there must be more avenues that we have yet to find - there are a couple of good Estate Agents we have found and we have also found a few (properties) on rightmove however we were wondering if anyone could give us a bit more of a steer as to where else to look.

We are looking to move from where we are (in Suffolk) around this time next year and we are doing a lot of research and planning. Part of that process will mean us viewing places as a means of gauging what our 'buck will buy' rather than viewing with an intent to purchase and we are acutely aware that this may irk some vendors - we consider this an essential part of our planning and education and were again seeking advice on how to approach this without upsetting people but at the same time being open and honest.......

Any advice gratefully received

Paul and Caroline
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: shygirl on April 22, 2014, 06:02:35 pm
remember scottish places are often sold through solicitors so look for the websites such as ASPC, HSPC etc
property is selling fast atm and prices are going up so consider that in your research.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Womble on April 22, 2014, 06:16:47 pm
The best estate agents we found for rural property up here are Bell Ingram (http://www.bellingram.co.uk/) and CKD Galbraith (http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/).

Remember that property in Scotland is usually sold on an 'offers over' basis, whereby if there is more than one potential purchaser, the vendor's solicitor will set a closing date for sending in sealed bids. This can make it quite tricky to see how much a place is 'worth' just from the asking price, since different agents will price lower or higher, and expect to sell for more or less of a premium on the offers over price.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: smithycraft on April 22, 2014, 07:03:18 pm
For NE Scotland

http://www.stewartwatson.co.uk/for_sale_new.php (http://www.stewartwatson.co.uk/for_sale_new.php)
http://www.peterkins.com/property/find/ (http://www.peterkins.com/property/find/)
http://www.grantsmithlaw.co.uk/property_search/ (http://www.grantsmithlaw.co.uk/property_search/)
http://www.masson-glennie.co.uk/property/estate-agency-36.html (http://www.masson-glennie.co.uk/property/estate-agency-36.html)
https://www.aspc.co.uk/ (https://www.aspc.co.uk/)


Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: marka on April 23, 2014, 11:08:05 am

Also try Rural Scene - theyre based in England but cover the whole of the UK and specialise in our kind of property.

Regards

Mark
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Treud na Mara on April 23, 2014, 11:34:06 pm
For Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney try Georgesons : www.georgesonsproperty.co.uk (http://www.georgesonsproperty.co.uk)
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: AndynJ on April 24, 2014, 06:15:49 am
We had the office manager from one of the agents named in this thread stay in one of our lodges a while back, she was retiring a short while after returning from holiday, 1 bottle of wine and the stories she told certainly opened my eyes.

She wasn't aware I had any interest in country property.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Mays on April 24, 2014, 06:44:23 am
what a handy thread this is,

All Aberdeenshire based Estate agents selling local farms and crofts

try www.goanm.co.uk (http://www.goanm.co.uk)
www.aspc.co.uk (http://www.aspc.co.uk) (filter search to include "Land")
www.stuartwatson.co.uk (http://www.stuartwatson.co.uk)
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Clarebelle on April 24, 2014, 07:26:09 am
When we were looking we picked an area and googled estate agents in .... (for us it was Orkney). That bought up a list of all the local estate agents.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: shygirl on April 24, 2014, 11:06:30 am
hi clarebelle, how is it going?
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: lilfeeb on April 24, 2014, 02:07:42 pm
http://www.greenshifters.co.uk/ (http://www.greenshifters.co.uk/) sometimes has proprties for sale in Scotland.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Rosemary on April 24, 2014, 02:23:48 pm
How about this one?

http://ballantynes.10ninety.co.uk/PublicProperty/DisplayBrochure/313 (http://ballantynes.10ninety.co.uk/PublicProperty/DisplayBrochure/313)
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Paul and Caroline on April 24, 2014, 11:05:06 pm
when we win the lottery we'll be in touch!
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Paul and Caroline on April 24, 2014, 11:08:12 pm
We had the office manager from one of the agents named in this thread stay in one of our lodges a while back, she was retiring a short while after returning from holiday, 1 bottle of wine and the stories she told certainly opened my eyes.

She wasn't aware I had any interest in country property.

and how much to spill the beans??
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Victorian Farmer on April 29, 2014, 11:09:09 am
Rent a croft and use a caravan as base If you sell and get up here you can work for youre keep .Then you will be on site .Best bet west coast.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Ina on April 29, 2014, 06:36:50 pm
Rent a croft and use a caravan as base If you sell and get up here you can work for youre keep .Then you will be on site .Best bet west coast.

I think that's right - the closer you are to Aberdeen, for example, the closer you are to lots of oil people who want an "equestrian" property and are prepared to pay ridiculous money... Sigh. :'(
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: shygirl on April 29, 2014, 07:36:05 pm
i was told its hard to find a croft to rent as its complicated by tenancy etc. we were looking for a croft to rent aswell. the CC and all the estate agents said it is very rare to find one available.
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: NicandChic on April 29, 2014, 07:46:34 pm
May help regards renting! http://www.tenantfarmingforum.org.uk/tff/about.aspx (http://www.tenantfarmingforum.org.uk/tff/about.aspx)
Title: Re: Small holdings in Scotland
Post by: Treud na Mara on April 29, 2014, 08:21:07 pm
Another thought that I don't think has been suggested is the Scottish Crofting Federation www.crofting.org (http://www.crofting.org)
It doesn't cost a huge amount to join, you get a newsletter and access to lots of advice courses etc. but also you can express an interest in buying/renting in a specific area and they will get in touch with any relevant details.
Good luck anyway.