Kirkhill and Birset Farms, Dalton, Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, DG11

A rare opportunity to acquire an extensive mixed residential, agricultural and forestry estate in the south of Scotland

Description

Kirkhill has been in the same ownership (Valmar Investment and Holding Company Incorporated) since the 1960s. It is an established agricultural and forestry landholding offering a fantastic investment opportunity, extending to about 527.22 hectares (1302.76 acres) in total. The scale of the property provides potential for a sizeable farming enterprise, or further development of the forestry estate and natural environment.

The land lies within a ring fence (with the exception of five parcels at Birset which are south of the public road) with an undulating landscape rising from 120m to 244m above sea level, and has traditionally been farmed for beef and sheep production, with commercial forestry and more recently coppice willow grown on contract. It is well fenced for livestock and has been maintained to a high standard. The farms have been let out in recent years carrying about 1300 ewes and hoggs, and 150 suckler cows plus followers, but there is potential to increase these numbers significantly. The lease terminates in October 2025.

The natural topography of the land coupled with the woodlands, has the potential for a high quality driven pheasant shoot and deer stalking. The woodlands are managed for commercial return and are concentrated on the central section between the farms. The current owners have invested in independent access tracks for the forestry and willow compartments and consideration has also been given to a new
forestry planting scheme as part of the hill may be suitable for planting (subject to obtaining the required consents).

Kirkhill Farmhouse provides an attractive and substantial family home and base from which to manage the land. There are three further cottages at Kirkhill, all of which have 3 bedrooms and one reception room, garden and garage.

Birset Farm sits in an elevated position with unrestricted views across the Solway Firth taking in Criffel in Dumfriesshire and Scafell Pike in Cumbria.

The portfolio is available as a whole or in four lots as described, although other lotting boundaries may be considered.

Location

The farms known as Kirkhill and Birset are situated in the heart of rural Dumfriesshire, an area renowned for its livestock and timber production which makes up a large proportion of the local economy. The landscape reflects this, with rolling farmland interspersed with forestry and woodlands against the backdrop of the Solway Firth.

The farms are located near to Dumfries, the county town, which provides a wide range of facilities including primary and secondary schooling, a university campus, sports and healthcare facilities as well as an extensive range of retail parks, high street shopping and professional services. The local primary schools are located in Carrutherstown (Kirkhill) and Collin (Birset), with secondary schooling available to both in Annan or Dumfries. Private schooling is also available near Carlisle at St Ursula’s School, Lime House School and Austin Friars St Monica’s School.

The A75, A76, A702 and M74 are all readily accessible by car linking the region to west and central Scotland and the north of England. There are railway stations at Dumfries, Lockerbie and Carlisle with regular services to Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Glasgow international airports are approximately 79, 84 and 90 miles from the property respectively.

The southwest of Scotland is well known for its mild climate, attractive unspoilt countryside and the diversity of its recreational facilities and field sports including shooting and stalking as well as trout and salmon fishing on numerous rivers and lochs. A wide variety of beaches, coastal paths and beautiful walks are nearby. The location is also famous for excellent hill walking and cycling along a wide variety of world famous trails (7stanes available at nearby Mabie and Dalbeattie). In 2009, the International Dark Sky Association confirmed Dark Sky Status to the Galloway Forest Park, the first designated area in Scotland. The area is also ideal for the keen golfer with a championship standard 18 hole course at Southerness, further local courses at Powfoot, Lockerbie, Lochmaben and three courses in Dumfries.




Acreage: 1302 Acres

Directions

From the A75 at Dumfries, head east towards Annan. After 3.3 miles bear left signposted Dalton (and Wee Dalton Kirk). Birset is around 2 miles along this road on the left hand side, and Kirkhill is a further 0.5 mile along this road, also on the left hand side.

Kirkhill postcode: DG11 1DY
what3words: ///throats.topics.sharpened.

Birset postcode: DG1 4JR
what3words: ///equality.bulky.responded.

Additional Info

Lot 1 - Kirkhill Farm - A sizeable livestock unit extending to about 369.51 hectares (913.06 acres) in total with a modern farm steading. The land is ring fenced with the steading located towards the southern portion of the holding. There are approximately 33.04 hectares (81.64 acres) of woodland within the lot. According to the James Hutton Institute of Soil Research, the land is predominantly a mixture of classes 3, 4 and 5, with small areas of class 6 on the hilltops. It is further classified as F4 and F5 by the Land Capability for Forestry scale. The height ranges from 120m to 230m above sea level.


Kirkhill steading benefits from a range of modern buildings which are both practical and versatile, currently providing livestock and general purpose accommodation as well as sheep handling facilities. The layout of the buildings is shown on the accompanying plan.

Lot 2 - Kirkhill Farmhouse - Kirkhill Farmhouse sits to the south of the steading and is a substantial dwelling of traditional whinstone and sandstone construction with a slate roof. There is a 1.5 storey extension to the rear of the house (with sun room attached), and a single storey glass fronted extension on the eastern elevation forming a light and versatile space previously used as a library. The house benefits from oil fired central heating and UPVC double glazing.

The front door opens into the hallway which provides access to the ground floor accommodation as well as the staircase leading to a half landing and the first floor beyond. There are three south facing reception rooms to the front of the house and a bedroom which could equally be used as a fourth reception room or home office. The kitchen/breakfast room is located to the rear of the house with connecting doors to the sun room, pantry, back hall and utility room. A WC completes the ground floor.

The stairs from the entrance hall lead to a half landing which accesses two family bathrooms and a bedroom. At first floor level there are four bedrooms (one with en-suite shower room) and a further family bathroom.

Externally there are lawns bounded by some mature trees surrounding the house and a vegetable garden on the opposite side of the farm drive. A stone outbuilding is included within the boundary of Lot 2. The grounds extend to 0.58 hectares (1.44 acres). A home report is available on request from the selling agents.

Lot 3 - Kirkhill forestry and willow - Lot 3 extends to 119.67 hectares (295.70 acres) situated between Kirkhill and Birset with two independent forest access routes from the public road. There are two large commercial Sitka spruce plantations principally established in 2010, with a number of smaller plantations (a combined 25.54 hectares/126.22 acres). There is a good core of timber and some parts of the crop have been thinned or restructured following Storm Eowyn. Growth rates across the site are determined by soil type and are generally good, recorded at up to Yield Class 20. A compartment schedule and maps are available from the selling agents.

Lot 4 - Birset Farm - Birset Farm extends to about 37.46 hectares (92.56 acres) in total, being ring fenced with the exception of five land parcels which sit south of the public road. The south facing 3 bedroom farmhouse sits centrally within the farm enjoying the most incredible vista over the Solway Firth taking in both Dumfriesshire and Cumbrian hills in addition to the coastline.

The outbuildings are predominantly traditional stone or brick with slate or replacement profile roof coverings and sit to the north forming a courtyard with the rear of the farmhouse. There is also an additional hayshed and silage pit behind.

The farmland comprises nine enclosures (including two recently replanted woodlands) and is predominantly class 4(1) according to the James Hutton Institute for Soil Research, rising from 140m to 190m above sea level.

Additional Lots - There are three further cottages at Kirkhill, all of which have 3 bedrooms and one reception room, garden and garage.