Scottish sporting estates are being snapped up by overseas buyers – especially Europeans – thanks to the weak pound.
Leading independent property consultancy, Galbraith, reports that international buyers, particularly from the continent, are continuing to purchase sporting estates in Scotland.
But this is not only due to the fall in the value of sterling, but also because they see them as sound long-term investments.
Anna Henderson, of the Galbraith Premium Property Department, said: ‘2017 has been a quiet year for estate sales with only 12 estates sold this year, compared to the 24 estates that were sold in 2016.
The Glenlochay Estate, in Perthshire, is for sale at offers over £4.2 million
‘However, the market is suffering more from a lack of sellers, rather than a lack of potential buyers.
‘This is undoubtedly in our view due to the uncertainty over Brexit and the general political and economic situation, with owners perhaps thinking there will not be demand for their properties.
‘When estates do come up for sale however, there has been interest from both home and abroad, and we have seen one large Scottish sporting estate acquired by a Russian, the first time they have been active in the Scottish market for more than a decade.’
Galbraith has been involved with 63 per cent of all Scottish estate sales this year, assisting clients with either selling, buying or valuing both on and off-market opportunities. A quarter of all the estates sold in 2017 to date have been off-market, the same as in 2016.
Anna continued: ‘The average sale price in 2016 was £3.4 million. To date in 2017 the average sale price remains quite similar, at around £3 million. Coastal or waterside estates tend to command a premium, with recent sales achieving as much as 35 per cent above the asking price.
The Scaliscro Estate, on the Isle of Lewis, has a guide price of £2.5m.
‘Scotland is one of the few places in Europe where large areas of wild land can still be acquired for either sport or conservation. For those looking for natural beauty, affordability and privacy, there is nowhere else that comes close. Scottish land also represents extremely good value for money.’
Galbraith created its specialist Premium Property Buying Department, headed by Anna, to meet the needs of buyers. The team has unrivaled local knowledge and expertise available to buyers wishing to find and secure the right estate among the limited stock available.
Currently on the market with Galbraith are the following estates:
Scaliscro Estate, a spectacular island estate with three miles of coastline, red deer stalking, walked up grouse, woodcock and snipe. Salmon, sea trout and coastal fishing and an in-hand farm with great potential and tax advantages. 175-year sporting lease on adjacent 5,000 acres of land. About 5,570 acres. Guide price £2.5m.
Glenlochay, UNDER OFFER – a sporting estate situated in a spectacular setting amidst some of Highland Perthshire’s finest scenery. The sale includes 5.5 miles of double bank salmon fishing rights on the River Lochay, exciting deer stalking, 1,306 acres of newly planted woodland, brown trout fishing, a livestock farming business and the potential for walked-up grouse shooting. About 12,816 acres. Offers over £4.2m.
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