Rispond Lodge Estate, Durness, Lairg, Sutherland, Highland, IV27

CLOSING DATE SET FOR FRIDAY, 07 June 2024 AT 12 NOON.

Rispond Lodge Estate is a delightful, mixed amenity property comprising a rare combination of high quality elements in a manageable package and in a spectacular coastal location. Set on the shores of Loch Eriboll, this stunning and unique property comprises a main house with three letting cottages, approximately 211 acres of land, and Eilean Cluimhrig Island. Set on the edge of a horseshoe bay creating a natural harbour, externally the buildings remain very much as they were in the 18th Century and today the main house and outbuildings still reflect its original use as a small port for imports and exports across Europe.

The northern Highlands of Scotland is one of the few landscapes which is still largely unaltered by human interference and on this western edge of the mainland, the wildness has shaped an environment which is at once beautiful and dramatic and offers the opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. The estate offers excellent amenity with its sheltered harbour, walks across the coastal grassland dotted with herbs and wildflowers, and its coastline of rocky bays and cliffs. The waters around Rispond offer excellent sea fishing and sailing and there are various sheltered areas for fresh water swimming, while in the wider area there are sandy beaches popular with surfers, and high quality salmon fishing, as well as RSPB and Nature Scotland reserves which protect our rarest native wildlife and flora only seen in this part of the UK. There are good views of Ben Hope - the most northerly Munro in the UK - and Ben Loyal, which are just two of the challenging mountain climbs in the area.
In addition to the Rispond Estate sporting rights, the owner leases the sporting rights over an adjacent area of land extending to approximately 500 acres. Although these rights aren’t currently exercised, this offers the potential for some enjoyable shooting, stalking, and salmon and trout fishing.

The village of Durness is about four miles away and has an excellent village shop, a doctors’ surgery, filling station and primary school and Durness Golf Club is the most northerly golf course in mainland Britain. Secondary schooling is available in Kinlochbervie and Tongue, both of which have a further range of shops and facilities. Inverness is about 2.5 hours’ drive away and has all the facilities of a modern city along with its Airport with regular flights to the south and Europe.

The land at Rispond Lodge Estate extends to approximately 211 acres and comprises rough grazing, heather moorland with a lochan, and low lying machair that leads to the coast. To the rear of the lodge and cottages is a paddock enclosed by beautiful dry stone walls, providing sheltered grazing for livestock during the colder months. Paths lead across the land to headlands and small rocky beaches, while inland the ground rises gently to give magnificent views across the landscape.

EILEAN CLUIMHRIG
The island, which forms part of Rispond Lodge Estate, lies to the north-east of Rispond and can be reached by boat and landing is possible in good weather.

HOLIDAY LODGES PLANNING CONSENT
Full planning consent Ref 21/05191/FUL was granted on 4th May 2022 for the erection of three holiday lodges, new access, septic tank and private water supply. These were envisaged as cabins built off site to comply with caravan regulations and to be transported and craned into place on site. The site of the lodges is discreetly located, well away from the lodge and cottages.

HOLIDAY COTTAGES
Rispond Holiday Cottages are let seasonally via holiday business is well-established and very successful with high occupancy levels and many repeat bookings. The cottages are consistently awarded the Cottages.com Customer Choice Award. The owners oversee the running of the business, but the changeovers and cleaning are undertaken locally.

The potential exists to expand the business by extending the holiday letting season, converting one or both of the wings in the lodge to create further letting units, or by increasing the letting portfolio with the development of the holiday lodges a short distance from the house.
Further information on the holiday lets is available on request.

A local fisherman has for a number of years been permitted a rent free licence to park a vehicle by the harbour and also launch and recover a fishing boat and moor it in the harbour. The seller hopes that the purchaser will allow this arrangement to continue.

The owner currently leases the sporting rights over an area of land lying just to the south of Rispond Lodge Estate and extending to approximately 500 acres. The lease runs until 2036 and can be assigned to the new owner. Further information on this is available on request.

EPC Rating = D