With Scotland having experienced a great shortage of quality estates over the last 18 months the sale of the North Slipperfield Estate at West Linton in Peebles-shire is set to create considerable interest. The estate sits in a most accessible location, being only 12 miles south of the Edinburgh ring road. Although close to the capital, it is in a beautiful location on the south side of the Pentland Hills.

Far and wide

An extensive property extending to 3037 acres in total, it comprises a mixture of improved pasture and hill ground grazings supporting some 100 head of Highland cattle and a flock of 400 sheep. In addition, North Slipperfield is a mixed sporting estate with walked-up and driven grouse shooting, a most testing compact pheasant and partridge shoot and excellent wild duck shooting. Perhaps one of its most exciting country pursuits attributes comes in the form of goose shooting, as geese come in their thousands to roost there.

There is also rough shooting for rabbits, snipe and woodcock as well as roe stalking in and around the woodlands. The estate also provides trout fishing on one of the lochs and previously on the Wester Water pool. North Slipperfield also boasts a collection of housing comprising a traditional shepherd’s house, a bothy and a modern single storey house.

Planning permission

In September 2008 Scottish Borders Council granted planning consent to create six new houses on the site of the existing shepherd’s house, cottage and buildings and bothy. At the same time consent was also given for a large detached modern house extending to 15,966 sq ft. Oval in shape and with large amounts of glass and timber boarding, the proposed accommodation is over three floors. The lower ground floor will comprise pool, gym and games room, while the ground floor will house four main reception rooms and centre hallway. The first floor will be for sleeping accommodation. Finally, consent has also been given for a 26 bed bespoke hotel. Jon Lambert of John Clegg and Co said: ‘This is a wonderful mixture of different property assets.

There are a number of existing houses and wonderfully designed planning consents for a fabulous new contemporary house on three floors, the courtyard development and planning consent for a most attractive hotel. The farmland is generally of good quality and on top of all this we have got a wonderful sporting estate with grouse, high pheasants and the most fantastic wild duck and goose shooting. Often we find that purchasers do not need another big house to maintain, and the idea of building a modern house to their liking with all the facilities required in 21st century building material will appeal to some, especially with its attractive location being so close to the capital.’

fieldfacts

North Slipperfield Estate is for sale as a whole or in seven lots. North Slipperfield Estate, West Linton, Peebles-shire Offers over £3m for the whole.

John Clegg & Co, Chartered Surveyors, 2 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2AS Tel: 0131 229 8800 www.johnclegg.co.uk