Cowdens, Lockerbie, DG11

Description

The letting of Cowdens presents a rare and sought-after opportunity for the successful applicant to secure either a fiveyear SLDT or a ten-year MLDT on a well-established and well-equipped livestock farm.

Cowdens is a productive lowland livestock farm with a steading, four-bedroom farmhouse and approximately 146.54 Ha (362.10 acres) of land. The whole farm has been newly renovated. The land lies within a ringfence and is all down to pasture, with all the land being Region 1 as classified by the SGRPID.

The land is divided into 25 field parcels with good access, water supplies to all fields and is stock proof.

The lease will begin on the 28th November 2026, however with agreement the successful applicant may be able to gain early entry to the land on a grazing license.

The estate are keen to invite tenders from a wide range of backgrounds and are keen to support those progressing through the industry.

Farmhouse

A traditional four-bedroom farmhouse of stone construction under a slate roof, which enjoys exceptional views across the Dumfriesshire countryside.

The property is currently being fully renovated and therefore presents a superb opportunity for the successful applicant to enjoy living in a beautiful family home.

Viewing of the farmhouse will not be available on the viewing day, but photographs of properties finished to a similar standard will be available to view by those selected on the shortlist.

Steading

The newly renovated steading is typical of a livestock farm, with the property well-equipped with an array of buildings.

The buildings are a mixture of traditional and modern. The traditional steading is positioned in a courtyard formation with a central, concreted area. These buildings are of stone construction with tin roofs present opportunities for a variety of uses, including storage or loose animal housing.

The modern buildings comprise a large general-purpose building, a large, bedded cattle shed and a store. The bedded cattle shed which is of block wall with YB above, concrete floor and tin roof, consists of the main shed and an adjoining lean-to is split into two main areas with an indoor trough at one side and outdoor troughs to the other side.

The steading also benefits from a silage pit and two separate middens, one of which has been installed this year. The buildings are NOT on a slurry system.

Land

The land extends to 146.54 Ha (362.10 acres) in 25 parcels, situated within a ringfence. All field parcels benefit from a trough or natural water supply. The land ranges from grade 3.2 to grade 5.2 on the area of hill, as classified by the Land Capability for Agriculture (Scotland) map.

The land is mainly productive grazing and mowing land which is all currently laid to grass.

The land has historically been well managed, receiving regular applications of farmyard manure and fertiliser.

The boundaries are formed by stock fences and drystone dykes. Over 10,000 metres of new fencing has been installed throughout the farm as part of the renovations.

Viewing Days

Viewings are strictly by appointment

only, on the following open days;

Tuesday 26th May, 10am – 4pm

Thursday 28th May, 10am – 4pm

Wednesday 3rd June, 10am- 4pm

An agent will be available to assist with any queries on the viewing day.

During the viewing days prospective Tenants are asked to be vigilant and to take care when viewing.

Access to the land will only be allowed on the viewing days in an organised manner.

Tender Packs

Tender packs are available on request from C&D Rural by e-mail to: or by phone .

A fee of £10+VAT is payable for a hardcopy pack and a payment link will be sent on request.

Important Information

The particulars of the Holding, plans and schedules are presumed to be correct but are subject to alterations and amendments if any error or omission is covered therein.

All descriptions, dimensions and area references are given as a guide only and without responsibility. Plans are not to scale, are for guidance only and do not form part of the contract. Nothing in these particulars or any related discussions forms part of any contract unless expressly incorporated within a subsequent written agreement.

General Remarks And Stipulations

TENURE

• The farm will be available on either a five-year Short Limited Duration Tenancy or a ten-year Modern Limited Duration Tenancy commencing on the 28th November 2026.

• Copies of the Heads of Terms of the SLDT / MLDT will be made available to genuinely interested parties on request.

• The tenant will take on the farm in the condition found on entry and will put and keep the farm in tenantable order and condition in accordance with the tenancy agreement at the end of the tenancy. All tenders should be based on this understanding and calculated accordingly.

• The tenant will be responsible for contributing £500+VAT towards the preparation on the tenancy agreement.

• The rent will be payable on a quarterly basis in advance by standing order, with the first instalment due prior to occupation.

PRINCIPAL TERMS OF THE SHORT / MODERN LIMITED DURATION TENANCY

• The farm will be let for agricultural use only.

• The Tenant will not be allowed to sub-let, part with possession or take in stock in relation to any part of the holding.

• The tenancy will include a break clause which can be triggered by either party on the 5th anniversary if let on an MLDT.

• There will be a provision for the Landlord to regain possession of part of the holding for non-agricultural development, subject to giving the correct notice to the tenant.

• The Tenancy will include provisions for three yearly rent reviews, subject to open market values.

• The repairing obligations will be the responsibility of the Tenant.

• Tenant’s Improvements will not be permitted except with the Landlord’s prior written consent. Provisions for Tenant’s Improvements will be covered in the tenancy agreement. No improvements will be compensable at the end of the tenancy unless they have had the Landlord‘s written approval, the relevant planning consent obtained and it is compliant with building regulations.

• A Record of Condition will be prepared by C&D Rural at the commencement of tenancy with the associated cost to be shared between Landlord and Tenant.

• A soil sample of the land will be completed prior to entry by the Landlord, the Tenant will be responsible for producing the same at the end of the tenancy.

• The Tenant will be responsible for any land business transaction tax payable in relation to the letting.

• Mineral and Sporting Rights are to be reserved by the Landlord.

CONDITIONS OF TENDER

• The Landlord does not bind themselves to accept the highest or indeed any tender.

• The decision of the Landlord will be final and binding.

• All tenders must be submitted using the tender form.

• The Tender must be completed in its entirety and submitted on the form supplied otherwise it will not be considered.

• Tender forms must be returned by email to with the subject ‘Tender for Cowdens’ no later than 12noon on Tuesday 16th June 2026 or should be posted to C&D Rural, Lakeside, Townfoot, Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 5LY in a sealed envelope marked ‘Tender for Cowdens’ and marked for the attention of Kim Livesey.

• A shortlist of applicants will be asked to complete a credit check and provide further supporting information by Wednesday 8th July 2026 to include a full business plan, including cash flows for the first three years showing estimated costs, interest payments and returns, a statement of capital requirements for live and dead stock, working capital and improvements and a normalised profit and loss account in support of their application confirming their proposed use of the farm.

• A shortlist of applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the estate w/c 20th July 2026.

• The agents will notify unsuccessful tenderers as soon as practically possible.