Old Mill Farm, Strichen, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB43

PRODUCTIVE MIXED FARM WITH CONSIDERABLE AMENITY

Description

Old Mill is a productive mixed arable and livestock farm with high amenity which comprises the original holdings of Old Mill, Ugiebrae and Craighill. Whilst run as a successful farming business, conservation and habitat creation have been at the forefront of management decisions over the past 30 years, as evidenced by the abundance of hedgerows, ponds, species rich grassland, wild bird cover and woodland across the farm and the corresponding wildlife and birdlife it supports.

Old Mill is approached from a private well-kept driveway with open fields and woodland on either side which leads to the main farm steading. There is an alternative access via a private road which leads directly to the front of Old Mill Farmhouse. A separate access leads off the public road to Ugiebrae Farmhouse although both farming units are linked by a well maintained internal track.

The land, extending to about 373 acres, comprises a well balanced combination of arable and silage ground, permanent pasture and rough grazing which is interspersed with woodlands providing shelter and amenity.

The Old Mill farm steading has an extensive range of buildings which are extremely well equipped for housing and handling cattle. The land has benefitted from regular applications of manure ensuring the land remains in good heart.

The land is classified by the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research as Class 3.2 and 4 and can be described as a medium loam ideal for the production of excellent grass and a variety of cereal and forage crops. It rises gently from about 55m above sea level along the North Ugie Water on the northern boundary to 105m in the south east corner of the farm close to the village of Strichen. The fields are well laid out and lie within a ring fence interspersed by good internal tracks facilitating easy movement of stock and farm machinery to most parts of the holding.

The amenity of the farm is greatly enhanced by the numerous and varied mature plantations which have been carefully planned and managed over the last 20 years to provide sport, shelter and commercial timber. With 86 acres of established woodland combined with the undulating topography, Old Mill provides exciting driven shooting.

The current owner has created a number of ponds bounding the North Ugie water which are host to a range of wildlife. The ponds not only enhance the biodiversity of the farm but they also provide a habitat for duck flighting and bird watching. Old Mill is offered for sale as a whole or in three lots as follows:

Lot 1 Old Mill including two farmhouses, development opportunities, farm steading and land extending to 302.87 acres.
Lot 2 Land at Craighill extending to 60.93 acres.
Lot 3 Field at Strichen extending to 9.66 acres.

Land at Lot 1 extends to a total of 302.87 acres and comprises 82.19 acres of arable and temporary grass, 122.71 acres of permanent pasture and rough grazing and 67.14 acres of woodland. All enclosures can be utilised for grazing and the vast majority can also be used for the production of silage and cereal crops. All fields are fenced and are served by either water troughs or natural water supplies. The internal farm tracks are also fenced which allows for easy movement of stock to and from the centrally located steading.

Lot 2 extends to a total of 60.93 acres and comprises 18.19 acres of arable and temporary grass, 22.76 acres of permanent pasture and rough grazing and 19.40 acres of woodland. There are two principal arable enclosures to the north with a belt of grazing ground and woodlands to the south. The land at Craighill is situated 2 miles to the north of Old Mill and has two accesses; from a private road to the north or via a small bridge to the south.

Lot 3 extends to a total of 9.66 acres andcomprises a single arable enclosure. This outlying field lies to the west of the A981 (Strichen to Fraserburgh road) and has access via a track from public road.




Acreage: 373.47 Acres

Directions

From Aberdeen head north on the A90 towards Ellon.
Approximately 3 miles after Ellon bear slight left at the Toll of
Birness onto the A952, signposted Fraserburgh. In Mintlaw take the first exit off the roundabout onto the A950 and continue for 4 miles before taking a right-hand turn signposted Strichen.

When leaving Strichen take the B9093 signposted for New
Pitsligo and continue for 0.5 miles and the entrance to Old Mill
will be on your right-hand side.

For satellite navigation purposes the postcode is AB43 6RY.