Lot 2 - Barrhill Farm, Auldgirth, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, DG2

Productive beef and sheep farming unit within the Nith Valley

Description

Barrhill Farm lies to the west of Lot 1 and is accessed from the main road to Keir Mill by a separate private track. The farmhouse and buildings occupy an outstanding elevated position at the centre of a ring-fenced block extending to about 286 acres, with far-reaching views over the surrounding farmland and towards the Solway Coast.

In recent years, the farm has been let under a seasonal grazing arrangement, with the occupier of the farmhouse and buildings running a beef and sheep enterprise.

BARRHILL FARMHOUSE
Barrhill Farmhouse is a fine Victorian farmhouse of red sandstone and slate construction, believed to date from the mid-19th century. Set above the farmyard, it enjoys a commanding position and attractive southerly views across the farm and wider countryside.
A porch to the front provides access into the main hall, off which are two reception rooms. To the rear of the house is a large dining kitchen, with back door access to the yard. On the first floor are three bedrooms and a large family bathroom.

FARM BUILDINGS
The Barrhill steading comprises a combination of modern and traditional farm buildings, well positioned in relation to the surrounding land. The principal buildings include a 33.5m x 7.5m cattle court of concrete block construction with Yorkshire boarding, and a 23.5m x 15.5m (max.) cattle court of brick construction, also with Yorkshire boarding. Both buildings are in fair order and provide useful accommodation for livestock and general farming purposes. The traditional buildings are used for storage but may offer potential for conversion to alternative uses, subject to obtaining the relevant consents.

LAND
The farmland extends to 217 acres and is a ring-fenced block with good access from the farm track and an established network of internal tracks. The land is predominantly classified as Class 4(2), with smaller areas of Class 5(3) and 6(1).
The majority of the farmland is capable of producing silage crops, with the balance providing useful grazing pasture. Barrhill rises from approximately 60 metres to 175 metres above sea level. The field enclosures benefit from either mains-fed or spring-fed water troughs, together with stock-proof post and wire fencing and traditional drystone dykes.
The woodland at Barrhill extends to approximately 62 acres and comprises a mixture of Sitka spruce, Scots pine and native broadleaf species, interspersed with scrubland. The scrub areas provide valuable cover, principally for pheasant and partridge shooting. The woodland offers potential commercial timber value, while also providing shelter for livestock, habitat for gamebirds and cover for resident roe deer.

Location

Dumfries and Galloway is Scotland’s most southerly region, renowned for its varied landscapes, strong agricultural heritage and natural beauty. Extending from the Solway Coast to the Southern Uplands, the region encompasses rolling farmland, productive forestry, dramatic hill country and some of Scotland’s most attractive river valleys. It remains one of the country’s important agricultural areas, while offering an excellent quality of life and good accessibility to central Scotland, northern England and beyond.

Dumfries, the county town, provides a wide range of services including supermarkets, independent retailers, professional services, leisure facilities, primary and secondary schooling, the Crichton University Campus and Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary. The area is also within reach of a number of independent schools, including Austin Friars School, Carlisle, approximately 42 miles; Wellington School, Ayr, approximately 53 miles; St Mary’s School, Melrose, approximately 65 miles; and Fettes College, George Watson’s College and Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, each approximately 72 miles. Many of these schools offer both day and boarding provision.

The market town of Thornhill, approximately 7 miles to the north, provides a good range of local amenities and is regarded as one of the most attractive towns in the region. It has independent shops, cafés, a monthly farmers’ market, a hotel and restaurant, and lies close to Drumlanrig Castle and Estate, one of Scotland’s finest stately homes.

The surrounding area is rich in culture and heritage. Nearby attractions include Ellisland Farm, the former home of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, and the internationally renowned Garden of Cosmic Speculation, both near Holywood, approximately 5 miles away. Dumfries and Galloway also has a varied calendar of events, from agricultural shows and country sports to arts and cultural festivals.

Dumfries and Galloway is well known for outdoor recreation, with field sports, fishing, walking and cycling widely available. The Solway Firth, with its sheltered bays and expansive coastline, provides opportunities for sailing, cruising and other water sports, while Galloway Forest Park, the first area in Scotland to be awarded International Dark Sky Park status, lies within easy reach. The area is also well served by golf courses, including the championship-standard course at Southerness, with further courses at Thornhill, Lochmaben, Lockerbie and Dumfries.

Communications are good. The A76 provides direct links north towards Ayrshire and Glasgow and south to the A75, which connects with the M6 south of Gretna. Rail services are available from Dumfries, with further mainline connections from Lockerbie, approximately 20 miles, and Carlisle, approximately 42 miles, providing services to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester and London via the West Coast Main Line. The nearest international airports are Glasgow, approximately 72 miles, Prestwick, approximately 56 miles, and Edinburgh, approximately 71 miles.




Acreage: 286 Acres

Directions

From the south: On reaching the Dumfries bypass, follow signs for the A76 towards Kilmarnock. Proceed north on the A76 for approximately 8 miles. On approaching the village of Auldgirth, turn left off the A76, signposted Dunscore/Penpont. Continue up the hill and turn right signposted for Keir Mill / Penpont. Continue on the road for about half a mile and the track to Barhill will be on your right and marked with signage.

From the north: Leave the M74 at Junction 14 and take the A702 towards Abington and Thornhill. Continue south on the A702, passing through Carronbridge and Thornhill. Approximately 7 miles south of Thornhill, continue on the A76 towards Dumfries. After passing through Auldgirth, turn right off the A76, signposted Dunscore/Penpont. Continue up the hill and turn right signposted for Keir Mill / Penpont. Continue on the road for about half a mile and the track to Barhill will be on your right and marked with signage.

Additional Info

Viewing - Strictly by appointment with the selling agents, Savills Edinburgh: or Savills Dumfries: . Given the potential hazards of a working estate, viewers are asked to take care when visiting, particularly along riverbanks.

Timber & Mineral Rights - All standing and fallen timber is included in the sale. Mineral rights are included insofar as they are owned. Please note, processed timber for firewood is available by separate negotiation.

Servitude Rights, Burdens, Wayleaves and Statutory Public & Other Access Rights
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing servitudes and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private. The property is also sold subject to statutory public access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Purchaser(s) will be deemed to have satisfied themselves as to the nature of all such rights following their solicitors’ examination of the title deeds.
There is a wayleave agreement in favour of Scottish Power in connection with power lines crossing the estate. A nominal annual payment is received. A nominal annual payment is received.
The radio mast to the east of Barrhill is let to OnTower Limited until May 2030, together with associated access rights.

Agricultural Subsidies - The land is designated as Less Favoured Area (LFA). Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlements are not owned and are therefore not included in the sale.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zone - Blackwood Estate partially lies within the Lower Nithsdale Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

Offers - Offers in Scottish Legal Form are to be submitted to the selling agents, Savills, Wemyss House, 8 Wemyss Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6DH. A closing date for offers may be fixed, and prospective purchasers are advised to register their interest with the selling agents following inspection.