[dubwrightly]

Hi there, I am  new here so apologies if I'm asking in the wrong place 
I'm looking for a small holding, derelict farm, couple of acres of woods or land or similar! In moray, I live in Burghead just now but have to move as landlady wants her house back.
I've had this plan for a while but now have to move, so its forced my hand.
Really I'm asking if anyone knows of anything for sale or even tips on anything such as how to approach farmers etc, especially in this current climate, its practically impossible.
Thanks!

[alang]

I live in Moray too and all i can say is good luck in trying to find land.

Buying land around here is near on impossible because it's normally grabbed by the 'big' local house building companies. You probably know the ones i mean if i say about the numerous housing estates going up around Elgin at the moment. Those companies pay way over the odds so getting it is hard. I'm not saying impossible though. Some farmers are trying to stop them buying the land by placing clauses on the land that it must be used for agriculture. So maybe try and get a target area and approach the local farmers. But as you probably know, quite a bit of land is owned by Crown estates and other local estates and they rarely sell land.
Woodland does come up occasionally. There are some sites that sell woodland but they come with restrictions on them to stop commercial activities.

As for small holdings. They really REALLY cost a lot in Moray. Not sure why the prices are so high here. Supply and demand probably. Plus people coming up from down south can pay cash for the housing as they've sold their properties at a vastly higher price then housing around here. So as so often happens. Locals miss out.

Don't be disheartened. As i said above. Maybe get a target area and approach the local land owner. Don't ask, don't get.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on.

[ardiffery]

Hi Dubwrightly,

I'm in Moray and it took 3 years for an agricultural field to come for sale. It cost about £6000 an acre, purchased through Aberdeen and Northern Marts.

In desperation to find even a couple of acres, I looked at building sites and if there was anything of interest I asked the agent to find out if the vendor would sell an additional few acres.  Surprisingly, a lot would, so if you can face building a house, that might be one way of getting your own holding on a few acres.

Good luck.